It could be many things.

I would look at the PSU decoupling caps first. On my BG5500, two were shorted and a few others were bad.

Also have a look at solder joints in the same PSU area, it gets very hot in there!

As regards the mech, I'd clean the lens as a first step, then there is always the possible issue of bad caps on its servo circuit (underneath the main, hinged board).

I don't get the "fuse blowing" problem: how can you switch it on if it blows fuses anyway? I hope you don't short the fuse terminals with some piece of metal... this is WRONG! 😡

If you don't have a clue about electronics (you can know a few things without necessarily be an expert!), then don't do anything! Just bring it over to your local repairman. Trouble is, most of them have the universal answer: defect laser! when it is very, very seldom the case...

Thanks for your response. I have cleaned the lens so I don't think its that. I will take a look at the caps later on.

As regards the fuse blowing problem. I have no idea why this is happening. I have changed the fuse and the machine works (turns on response from Beomaster etc.) then when I turn the plug off at the mains and turn the Beogram on again later, nothing. It is the fuse in the plug because changing it turns the unit back on again (for one occasion at a time!).

Ben

Ben,

If you've just bought it, don't forget the transport screws on the bottom.

PF

Could be that someone shorted the thermal fuse inside, located within the transformer. In this case do test the 470uF PSU caps and the associated 12V zener diode before anything!

I'm sure you will find out that someone has already been in there.🙁

I have some residue on C18 (black) could this be a potential cause to the reading problems? I think the power problem is now sorted as it hasn't complained since! 

None of the caps look bad, but I guess it may just be a case of going through each one

Thanks again

It's probably shutting down because the CD player is not finding focus. This is typical of the servo board C2103 fault.

I suggest that you search the old archived general forum or workbench forum for "C2103" and you will find quite a bit of helpful information.

Guys, replaced the C2103, still the CDs don't play. 

Not really sure where I go from here to be honest, are there any other caps that may impede playback?

Thanks a lot, 

Ben

Yes, I told you you should test the power supply area!  Mandatory on a machine this old methinks. 

Have you tested that C18 2200µF?

Ben wrote:

Guys, replaced the C2103, still the CDs don't play. 

...and you used the proper blue Philips / Vishay type, not just any 33 uF cap? (Just to make sure, this application is extremely picky on the type of the cap.)

Did you ever see the deck working? Because there's always the unfortunate possibility that somebody has already been there "fixing" it, turned every possible setting around and fried the laser... I've had one of those.