Jaguar S-Type CD Changer Stuck, CDC Error
A stuck S-Type changer is usually a mechanical, free fix: one disc tray stops half-way and holds the magazine in. I'd try a sharp tap while ejecting, then the thin-strip trick, then turning the big gear inside. A changer the radio doesn't see at all is a different matter — the wrong head unit, or looking in the wrong place.
How bad is it · Safe to drive
Safe to drive — only the discs are at risk
Levering a trapped magazine out bends the tray that holds it. Free the tray first.
Which one applies to yours depends on your symptoms, your model year and what has already been done to it.
Likely causes, most common first
Read the check cost before the odds: a free check that rules a cause out beats a likely guess that costs money.
One tray stuck half-way out, holding the magazine
The last disc doesn't travel all the way back. While that tray sticks out, the latch can't release the magazine, however hard the motor tries.
It may still play, or shows CDC error; the eject light comes on but nothing moves. Through the sliding door a tray may stand proud of the magazine.
Changer powered: slip a thin strip of stiff plastic film between the hook under the magazine and the lever on the player, play the highest disc, then select disc 1 — the tray retracts and the magazine can come out. Failing that, remove the changer and cover and turn the large top gear by hand until the disc slides home.
The strip-and-disc-1 trick, or turning the big gear by hand; the discs survive and the changer works again. Reaching the screws may mean unbolting the whole audio and navigation cradle.
The magazine only jammed — tap while ejecting
Nothing is broken; the load mechanism has bound against the magazine and needs a jolt as it tries to push it out.
An error on the display, a magazine that won't come out, and the eject light flashing when you press the button.
Open the door, press eject and, while the light is still flashing, tap the magazine firmly with a screwdriver handle. Pushing the magazine in first can let a stray disc drop back into place.
The timed tap; it may take a few attempts, and taps alone do nothing unless timed with the flashing light.
No changer input, or the wrong place to look
On 1999–2000 cars the factory changer is in the glovebox, from 2001 in the boot. Some base radios have no changer socket, and early and later cars use different changers and plugs.
A changer fitted to an early car stays dead or is never offered as a source. Spare blue or grey plugs in the spare-wheel well aren't the changer lead.
Identify the head unit before buying. On a 1999–2000 car look behind the glovebox liner for the socket; on a 2002–2003 car the lead is cable-tied to the boot loom behind the lower trim by the boot lock. From 2003 the changer sits on the fibre-optic audio ring and needs that lead, not the older plug.
A radio with the right changer socket; on a 1999–2000 car a genuine glovebox changer with its liner and brackets fits in about fifteen minutes, no programming needed.
CDC NO DISC with discs loaded — dirty lens or dry grease
Dust on the laser and hardened grease on the slides stop it reading or loading; a worn loading belt or motor does the same.
CDC NO DISC with a full magazine of discs that used to play.
A cleaning disc first, several different discs, and a look at whether the changer's plug has come undone. If that fails, remove the changer, blow the dust out with compressed air, clean the lens, regrease the slides and look at the loading belt.
Worth trying: clean the lens and regrease; if not, the loading motor, belt or a weak laser.
Home-burned discs written too fast
The factory players are fussy about recordable discs. A CD-R burned at high speed may load and then fail, while pressed discs play perfectly.
Errors or clicking only with home-made discs, often past the halfway point; original CDs play fine. MP3 discs don't play at all.
Try a pressed original disc in the same slot.
Worth trying: burn at the slowest write speed, as an ordinary audio CD. Rewritable discs work too if written slowly.
Our product · Jagaux
Jagaux Bluetooth adapter for the XJ8, X-Type and S-Type
Bluetooth music on the factory audio system, without a new head unit. Check which system you have: press Mode on the radio — a 'Sub' setting means Premium Alpine.
later S-Type, X-Type and X350 XJ, Standard or Premium Alpine audio
Our product · Jagaux
Jagaux Bluetooth adapter for the S-Type (1999–2001)
Plugs into the green socket on the radio and works as its CD changer: Bluetooth 5.0 music with aptX, hands-free calls, track control from the radio buttons.
S-Type 1999–2001 radios
The order to check them in
The point of the order is money: each step either rules a cause out or makes the next one worth doing. Green is free, amber costs a little, red is the one to arrive at last.
Look through the door
A tray standing out of the magazine means the first cause: don't force the magazine.
freeEject and tap while the light flashes
Firm taps with a screwdriver handle, timed with the flashing eject light. Try a few times.
freeThe strip and disc 1
Thin plastic film between the magazine hook and the player lever, play the highest disc, then select disc 1.
freeChanger out, turn the gear
Covers off, turn the large top gear until the disc is home, then the small one to lower the drive. Reseat every plug and ribbon before closing, or you may lose all audio.
free, an afternoonClean before replacing
A cleaning disc and a lens clean for CDC NO DISC. If the tray keeps sticking, avoid changing discs over bumps and the MIX mode. Try a pressed original disc too — a home-burned one written fast can throw errors.
freeThe fuses named above — where they sit
The highlighted position is the one the procedure talks about. Pulling a fuse is a stop-gap, never a repair: check what the circuit feeds before you pull it.
Circuit descriptions from the Jaguar handbook, 2007 edition, p. 9, 10. Drawing by jagaux.com from the factory electrical guide. Fuse layouts change between model years — read the legend on the lid of your own box before pulling anything.
What it usually isn't
Don't spend money here first:
If none of this finds it:
On jagaux.com
- S-Type (X200) fuse boxes and full fuse listThe rear box holds the CD changer and the telephone/navigation positions.
- S-Type 1999–2002 radio pinout and wire colours
- S-Type 2002–2008 radio pinout and wire colours
- Jaguar radio code generatorFree. If the radio asks for its code after the battery has been off.
- Jaguar VIN decoderConfirm your exact model year, engine and factory options before ordering parts — free.
Ratings, fuse numbers and torque figures vary by model year and market. Read the legend on your own car before pulling anything, and use the figures in the manual for your car, not the ones in a video.
Check your VIN: exactly which car you have and which bulletins apply to it.