Hello,
After inserting the disc, there is no full TOC reading, but the laser is set to track no. 1 and plays it for up to approx. 20 seconds. An attempt to jump to subsequent tracks causes the laser to return to track no. 1 anyway. During such attempts to "pull" the reading, a quiet knocking noise under the mechanism can still be heard. I managed to observe it and it looks like the circular gear from the laser feed motor encounters "some" resistance and jumps off the teeth of the plastic guide. If I move the gear wheel away for a moment, the laser itself moves along the metal arms of the mechanism without any resistance. I am sending a link to the video, although it is not my own, but it shows the view of the gear wheel and the guide on which this effect occurs.
I would be grateful for any tips.
So a mechanical issue of some sort.
Maybe it's just worn out.
Are parts moving also around their supports, like in the video?
If there is a block you should feel it when moving parts manually.
But it can also be present only when angles are a bit off, like in video.
From the video it is clear that the whole mechanism is bending when the thing starts.
Definitely a mechanical problem. The sled should move by gravity if the motor is removed. Might need some lube at the right places.
Carefully inspect all of the gears for damage. I've seen a few Kenwood audio products in recent years where the plastic gears are crumbling.
Last time I had the click click click with a CD transport, it was the slide seizing up, it needed lube. Or maybe the worm shaft I forgot.
You can hold the drive gear away and see how it slides, if it binds.