CED VideoDisc and Player Discussion

[Kitskaboodle]

Hi all, I haven't been here in a while. I took a Betamax detour but that's a long story. For now, I pulled out my Sears CED player from the garage and decided to have a second go at it. It's got a problem I can't figure out. Before we go on, I should point out I have already sent the cartridge to Cedatum, I have replaced both belts and it still has this issue:
When you push in the disk/caddy, the machine will turn on, the disk will lower onto the platter, it will begin spinning, then the tonearm will begin to move to the beginning of the disk, pause for about two seconds, then it will return all the way back and the counter then flashes 00.
I had heard that if the disk/record does not sense the cartridge needle signal, it will go back to 00.
QUESTION: When the machine plays correctly, can you actually SEE the needle going down on to the disk?? I put a flashlight down there and I can't see the needle going down even the slightest. I don't see any kind of contact between the disk and the needle. Is this a known problem with the Hitachi/Sears players? Any insight? Thanks, Kit

[dumbchemist]

I had a Sears player that did the same thing. The arm drive would move across the disc and then return to its rest position and the digital display would flash 00. I think that the turntable does not raise enough so that the stylus tip can contact the disc. The player I had I could get it to play only 1 try in maybe 30. Not very reliable. I gave the player to a CED hobbyist in North Dakota as he only needed its main circuit board,

I think that the turntable may have settled a tiny amount causing the problem. I do not know how to fix it. Maybe, someone else could help you. I have another Sears player that I bought in 1983 and it works like new. However, it has not been subjected to shipping or handling over the last 35 years.
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Sears 934.54780150 & 934.54810350
CED-1
Hitachi: VIP2000, 3-VIP1000, VIP201P
GEN10301
RCA SJT-200 SJT-400
DiskLord DP-830