Panasonic DMR-EZ48V DVD/VHS combo - DVD recorder part not working

[Ady2017]

I have recently inherited a Panasonic DMR-EZ48V DVD/VHS combo after my dad died. I tried to record a DVD with it and it worked for about 5 mins before it suddenly stopped. Since then it just keeps making a noise like it is trying to read a disk but then gives a 'no read' error message. I have tried numerous DVD's and it is definitely the recorder that is the problem. I did find a youtube video showing that capacitors on the power board were a common problem on these and so I went ahead and replaced the capacitors but it is still doing the same thing. I now think that it could be the laser that has failed. The background to this unit is that is sat in my dad's empty, cold and damp bungalow for about 3 years while he was in hospital so I was expecting some problems with it. I am desperate to get it working and save it as it holds a lot of sentimental value to me now.

Is it possible to replace just the laser in the DVD drive or does the whole DVD module have to be replaced?

Are there any other common problems with these that could cause this problem?

Does anyone have a service manual for this unit?

[nomoresonys]

First gently clean the lens with iso alcohol and a q-tip and try it if you haven't already.

[lotas]

The lens is wiped with distilled water, not alcohol.

[nomoresonys]

Been using iso forever, always works with NO damage. So stifle it edith.

[lotas]

Alcohol can damage lenses, but distilled water is a safe and effective cleaning solution.

[nomoresonys]

Very doubtful lotas. Isopropyl alcohol doesn't leave residues. Being a non-polar molecule it will NOT disolve any plastic parts (they are soluble only in polar solvents like acetone).
As for "coatings", those are camera lenses, there's no need for antireflex coatings. Those coatings are there in cameras because you can take pictures against the source of light (sun). Is not the case inside an optical player, so they are not coated. Some may be coated, can tell by the color usually but iso has not been proven to damage them.

[nomoresonys]

Never seen a problem with iso but if some are afraid and the lens isn't too filthy, you could use a tire pump, a vacuum that blows or the like. canned air is not recommended, it leaves residue, which is not what you want.

[Ady2017]

I have tried cleaning the lens and the unit is still not working. Is it possible to buy a replacement lens or are there any other tests that can be done on it?

[lotas]

VXY2010

https://www.ebay.com/itm/116206939313

[nomoresonys]

.

[nomoresonys]

Looks like theyre discontinued or sum such, 50 ish there: https://www.aliexpress.us/w/wholesal...etail.search.0

[nomoresonys]

Might be able to get a whole unit to use for parts for yours, look there, apparently both those models use the same optic pickup: https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/2148630990