Dreamcast laser won't move up / down

[Kitsune Sniper]

So I bought a few Dreamcast games a while back, one of which was a GD-R, and after trying them out, my system's laser won't move.

The disc spins fine. You can see the lens move up and down as if it's trying to read the disc. But the assembly doesn't move around. I dunno if it's busted or stuck, or what.

Is this an easy fix, or do I have to buy a new assembly?

[APE992]

You mean to say that the laser will focus and fire but it stays in one spot rather than moving around to read different parts of the disc?

[Kitsune Sniper]

Errr. Yeah. That. My ingles is not good.

[Sunnyvale]

Here's the only easy fix I know of. #2 on this list. Hopefully that's your issue.

http://www.neoseeker.com/forums/19/t638206-fix-everything-with-dc/

Good luck!

[Kitsune Sniper]

It's #2, but the laser's stuck at the center, not at the outer edge.

[Sunnyvale]

Well then, if it were mine, I'd try to gingerly move it some. You will hear the gears fighting you, so be gentle. Some CD drives have issues with the grease in the sliders for the laser drying out from heat. If that's the case, a little nudge should do the trick. But... (Insert massive disclaimer here) be careful.

[Kitsune Sniper]

I can't budge it. It's stuck. :(

[Sunnyvale]

Ugh. I'll look at some of my DC's today and see if I have that issue on any of my broke ones. I can't find crap about it online. If I do, then I might be able to figure it out. I'll keep you posted.

[weirdguy]

It could also be a dead laser.

It will move up and down but if it can't read anything, it won't even try to spin the disc.

[Sunnyvale]

OK, here's what I got...
First off, I'm assuming you've cracked the housing before you tried to move the assembly. If not, here's how I do it.
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/ConneticutLeatherCompany/gkids005-2.jpg
If it still won't move, then remove the two screws holding the cover panel of the entire assembly off. The screws are the 2 located parallel to the spinner in the pic. Then remove this ribbon:
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/ConneticutLeatherCompany/gkids006.jpg
Putting it back on will be the hardest part if all else goes well. Be careful here! Then take the top of the assembly in hand, remove, and turn over. You'll see this:
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/ConneticutLeatherCompany/gkids007-1.jpg
You can see the motor on the bottom. The plastic gear attached to the worm gear was just a little cruddy (a severely yellowed DC), so all I had to do was clean it and it's going again. If that's not your case, then it's probably the motor. Try removing the screw that holds it in, find a port, and spray some contact cleaner in there, and try to turn it by hand. If you can get it to turn, keep doing that (using more cleaner as needed) until it spins freely. If that doesn't work, you'll need a new motor. If you can't find one, lemme know, I got piles of parts laying around. Sorry if I 'dumbed it down' too much; I don't yet know you well enough to know where your knowledge with repairs begins and ends, so please don't be offended. Good luck, keep us posted please!