Does it just need cleaning or is there a larger issue?

If it needs cleaning what and where is the best source for a cleaner.

With this "new" car(2000 SSEI) I am stepping up literally from 8-tracks if anyone remembers those, so explain simplistically please

Typically, if a CD player needs to be cleaned, it wont read at all, or skips a bunch.

Sound coming out one side makes me think there is something up with your CD (easily tested) or there is an internal issue with the stereo (this is where simplistically ends)

As for cleaning, you can usually find a dry cleaner (it'* a cd with a brush on it), and they usually work good enough at cleaning. They are marketed as a CD/DVD player cleaner. Should be found pretty cheaply too.

Thanks. Yes I have tried several different condition cd'* from new to everything else with same results.It does skip as you suggested but just on significant bumps.

I had done search engines on the net but only found folks with new cars with this issue and under warranty the dealer just swapped out the whole head unit.

Looks like walmart has the cleaner you suggested.Appreciate it

sounds internal to me, i dont know how comfortable you are with electronics but they normally have a couple wires connecting the cd portion to the board/tuner section you could see if there is a bad solder joint there or pinched wire. beyond that its likely to need replaced, if you care about listening to cd'*. i havent ever left the oem receiver in the car though, there are so many better cheap and more expensive options depending on what you want to listen to.

Get an ipod connector that you can put in a tape player or through radio, ive had so many problems with the CD getting stuck in there after going on a bump