x879 gives me a TOC Error; separate CD-changer?

[maldecido33 10+ year member]

I recently installed a Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X879 Headunit into my truck. I love the headunit; it's great. However, it won't play CD's >(.

Everytime I insert a CD-R or a regular Music CD into it, it gives me a TOC Error. According to the manual, a TOC Error means that "No disc has been loaded in the disc magazine." This could be from either the cd being dirty, upside down, or scratched, according the the manual. I've tried numerous BRAND NEW cds, and they all give me this error.

So, I've pretty much figured that part is just broken. Any remedies from anyone out there? Or could I send it to Kenwood to have it fixed? I really don't wanna part with the HU.

Another option, provided that I can't send it off to be fixed, is that I get a separate CD Changer for it. Is this at all viable? Would I be able to hook up a CD changer to the headunit, and, more importantly, be able to actually control the CD changer via the X879?

Please help :-/

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[scrappy 10+ year member]

Yes a cd changer will work. I have the same hu and an excelon 10 disc cd changer. I control it right of the hu w/o any problems.

 

[maldecido33 10+ year member]

and the headunit lets you scroll through the magazines?

edit: and do you have a link to the one you bought, or other comparable ones? I'm not looking to spend a ton of money

 

[scrappy 10+ year member]

I believe you can only use kenwod changers. I would reccomend the excelon ones. Yes you can scroll through using the am fm buttons to scroll through them. I have only had it skip with dirty cds.

 

[maldecido33 10+ year member]

yea; im looking at either the KDC-C665 changer, or the KDC-C719

which one do you have?

 

[scrappy 10+ year member]

I dont know. I will check when I get a chance but its under my seat and hard to see in the dark so probally tommorow

 

[maldecido33 10+ year member]

np, thanks

 

[maldecido33 10+ year member]

ttt

 

[95F150 10+ year member]

Well this is making me worry, as I want the 899.

Personally I would want the CD "feature" to work if I had a CD Changer or not! Why can't you just take it back and switch it out???

Is this a common problem?

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

I recently installed a Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X879 Headunit into my truck. I love the headunit; it's great. However, it won't play CD's >(.

That sucks majorly and I feel for you. The eXcelon HU that my current one replaced had this same issue before I sent it off to get serviced.

Everytime I insert a CD-R or a regular Music CD into it, it gives me a TOC Error. According to the manual, a TOC Error means that "No disc has been loaded in the disc magazine." This could be from either the cd being dirty, upside down, or scratched, according the the manual. I've tried numerous BRAND NEW cds, and they all give me this error.

Not trying to bash on you - but I think you followed the wrong line in your manual looking to see what the TOC Error message meant. A TOC Error is a Table Of Contents Error meaning the HU cannot read the information on the disc that's been inserted. Either the laser lens inside the unit is dirty (are you a heavy smoker or is the unit exposed to heavy amounts of dust from off-roading or anything akin to that?) or it is out of alignment. If you bought that unit from an authorized dealer the factory warranty should still be in effect as the eXcelons carry a 2yr rather than a 1yr warranty. If you didn't you may have to bite the bullet and send it in to get fixed.

So, I've pretty much figured that part is just broken. Any remedies from anyone out there? Or could I send it to Kenwood to have it fixed? I really don't wanna part with the HU.

Yep - you can send it to Kenwood to get it fixed. A quicker option would probably be to see if there are any Kenwood-authorized service centers in your area and send it there instead.

Another option, provided that I can't send it off to be fixed, is that I get a separate CD Changer for it. Is this at all viable? Would I be able to hook up a CD changer to the headunit, and, more importantly, be able to actually control the CD changer via the X879?

Yes you can both connect and control a Kenwood CD changer with that HU. It's simplicity itself as far as connections go. There's a long cable that connects the changer to the HU. One end of the cable plugs into the back of the HU and the other end plugs into the changer. No power, no ground, no any of that. Just the one cable and you're done! All the functions will be controlled by CD function buttons on the HU. Hope this helps at all. Good luck getting it sorted.

 

[scrappy 10+ year member]

yea; im looking at either the KDC-C665 changer, or the KDC-C719
which one do you have?

Those are the new model numbers, mine is a few years old. My model is the kdc cx87 it is a ten disc changer no problems as far as reliability is concerned.

 

[maldecido33 10+ year member]

The eXcelon HU that my current one replaced had this same issue before I sent it off to get serviced.

How much did this cost you? Where'd you send it too?

Not trying to bash on you - but I think you followed the wrong line in your manual looking to see what the TOC Error message meant. A TOC Error is a Table Of Contents Error meaning the HU cannot read the information on the disc that's been inserted. Either the laser lens inside the unit is dirty (are you a heavy smoker or is the unit exposed to heavy amounts of dust from off-roading or anything akin to that?) or it is out of alignment.

I know what a TOC error is; thats the exact definition of one according to the Kenwood manual.

Yep - you can send it to Kenwood to get it fixed. A quicker option would probably be to see if there are any Kenwood-authorized service centers in your area and send it there instead.

Is there any way to check where an Kenwood-authorized services centers would be in my area?

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

How much did this cost you? Where'd you send it to?

The HU in question, the KDC-X569 that I used to have, was bought from Crutchfield so the 2yr eXcelon warranty was valid. As it was still under warranty I sent it to them and it cost me nothing - not even shipping.

Is there any way to check where an Kenwood-authorized services centers would be in my area?

I went onto Kenwood's website (www.kenwoodusa.com) and had a look. I plugged in Odessa, TX as search criteria and the results I was given are as follows:
Kenwood Service Ctr West

17300 Marquardt Ave

Cerritos, CA 90703-1023

(562) 483-8740

Kenwood Service Ctr (Va)

829 Lynnhaven Pkway #130

Virginia Beach, VA 23452-7224

(757) 340-1702

Kenwood Svc Ctr, Atlantic

400 Morris Ave Ste 102

Denville, NJ 07834-1362

(973) 586-3999

Kenwood Svc Ctr.Puerto Rico

Ave Central 1009

Puerto Nuevo, PR 00920

Kenwood Svc Center Hawaii

99-1285 Halawa Valley St, B11

Aiea, HI 96701-5609

(808) 486-5594

Doesn't look like anything is close to you, unfortunately. I do know that Kenwood's website isn't always terribly current on the included info so were I you I would call whoever is an authorized Kenwood retailer closest to you and ask them where they send gear that's been returned for servicing.