Guys,
I have an update... This afternoon I dismantled my centre console, removed my stereo and began operating on the sick unit.
I removed all 7 CDs, although... I'm not sure about two of them - they were a little scratched, but may survive.
Put it all back together (how many screw do they want use on the thing!!! - managed to get them all back in the right places) and prayed before turning it on...
Alas, the news was not good. The unit still thinks there are CDs in it's belly and still displays Err3 symptons when the CD button is poked.
I braced myslelf before going back in the house and infroming the Mrs... "Darling, I know it means a lot to you, however... it's days are numbered. Nothing more you could have done. It is old age... creeps up on the best of us. Be Strong. In time you will learn to live without... and then I'll replace it with a new one :D
I have had an idea though... I am getting a cassette player adapter to plug into my MP3 player. The adapter, there are plenty available on eBay, just plugs into the headphone socket of any audio device and plays music through the unit. Should be better quality than the FM transmitters... and will suffice before I replace the thing.
Thanks for all the documentation on the site (whoever created them!) they were a big help.
I'll let you know which replacement unit I go for...
Ket