CD player skips and cuts out at certain RPM's?

[Celica4life]

Hi guys. I have a '91 GT and the previous owner put in a CD player. Over the last year I've owned the car the CD player has worked fine. About a month ago though the CD player started skipping and cutting out for .5 to 1 second at a time when my car is between 2 and 3k RPM. It usually happens in second gear but I sometimes experience it in 1st and 3rd also.

Any idea what is causing it? The car does have some vibration when I drive it (dunno why, was like that when I bought it) but it is pretty minor and not something that should make a CD player skip, especially as such specific RPM's.

Thanks!

[marcuslogsdon]

does everything flicker when the cd player skips? dash lights clock ect... if so you may have an alternator problem or possibly a voltage regulation problem. does it skip if you have the headlights on or off? it could also be just a vibration problem. check motor mounts + get tires and wheels balanced

[Celica4life]

NOthing else flickers or anything. The CD player just skips or stutters. Headlights on or off doesn't seem to matter.

I know pretty much nothing about car repairs so checking motor mounts is like asking me to julawa the uhkolpa. If you could tell me what they look like and where they are I can check and make sure they are tightened or whatever.

I don't think it's tires or wheels since I have vibration even when not moving.

Thanks

[marcuslogsdon]

humm how many miles are on your motor? you shouldn't have that much vibration at an idle. does the vibration get worse when you are driving?

[flex-appeal]

I get quite a lot of vibration through the steeting column on my 90 model SX. When i bought it , the vehicle inspector said it was quite common for this model.. Although i think i'll check the engine mounts when i get the time.. its a bit annoying

[Celica4life]

The car has about 170,000 miles on it. A lot but not an extreme amount for a '91 Toyota. The vibration varies quite a bit. Sometimes it doesn't vibrate hardly at all. Other times it is quite noticable and audible. It tends to be worse when it is cold outside or the engine is cold.

On a side note, The CD player doesn't cut out when I have the radio on, it's only when it is trying to play a CD. That would point to vibration as the culprit wouldn't it?

[flex-appeal]

i agree, id blame vibration. my car shows exactly the same behaviour with regards to the vibration. i hate driving it first thing in the morning in winter because the vibration is worst then.

[Sarstan237]

At first I was going to say that you migth have the same problem I have: Worn pinions on your steering rod. Then again, you'd have to be driving around to get that. Something that is driving me nuts (no pun intended) until I have enough to fix it.
Anyway, it must be vibration with the CD going out instead of the radio. I know vibration does that to my CD player along with after the car warms up or on a warm day. It might also be that your CD player needs to be replaced or you need to watch what CDs you use. I have trouble with CD-R in my CD player, but with a store bought soundtrack, it works much better.