Panasonic DMR EH-55 just stopped reading DVD's

If your EH-55 isn't even reading commercial DVDs then I'd say the laser has failed. In this case your best option is to send a PM(private message) to AVS member MICKINCT. He can do component level repair on Panasonic DVDRs and has repaired many classic EH-55s for fellow AVS members. Panasonic use to have a excellent $100 then $130 flat rate repair but that was discontinued a couple years ago and they no longer repair older HDD Panasonics(at least not after a wild goose chase which can cost you hundreds of dollars).
If commercial discs worked it might be worth cleaning the spindle on your drive(requires taking drive apart) but a total failure sounds like a laser failure which would require replacement.
Not sure what brand of blank DVDs you use but for best burns and laser longevity, 8x -R Tys(only available online from places like SMS) are your best bet. + format or landfill grade media like Memorex(CMC) are generally not recommended for our classic Panasonics.
http://www.supermediastore.com/categ...ite+Speed%3D8X
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/priva...ewpm&u=7545541

The DVD Drive servicing procedures are found in this post:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...8#post14479898

If you purchased them recently at Costco they were probably Sony white top inkjet printable 16x DVDs. I've had fairly good luck with those although they do occasionally grind in my EH-55, Tys never grind

Is the DVD drive making any specific noise or sound when it tried to read the disks you put in it? Can you describe the noise (if it's making noise)?

Panasonic is not making any folowup to the EH55, for the North America market, but you can get a workable replacement from B&H photo video here, and from J&R here. They are very similar to your EH55. Among other things, they do NOT have a usable tuner, so you can only use the line inputs, but the tuner in your EH55 hasn't been of much use to you for a while now, so I suspect you are used to that by now. If you are interested, I have a list of those issues I can post.

My EH55 laser pickup sent out a few months ago, and MICKINCT fixed it as good as new for me. Considering the value of the unit, I would certainly recommend you have it repaired.

I believe I did.

Without revealing any trade secrets or whatever, when these laser units 'pack up' are they just repaired by MICKINCT or replaced with an aftermarket part? Just want an idea so i know what i can possibly do if mine fail in the future. I just want to know if they are replaced should i just get a few spares now or just not worry about it if the originals are always fixable? If possible i would like to be prepared for when/if it happens so if a replacement is availble now, it might be wise to get a couple incase when 3 years down the track it does fail and MICKINCT can not help.

My Panasonic dmr eh-55 has stopped reading dvds. little disc light remains on even if there is no dvd in unit. It will try to read a disc even if there is not one inserted.really love this unit for recording nascar races(been doing so since 1988). I have about 10 races still on the hdd. Does MICKINCT still work on these things if so how can i get a hold of him to checkout my unit?

Send Mickinct a Private Message.

I'm fairly certain that the laser pickup is basically like a light bulb that can burn out. No one fixes a light bulb, you replace it. I'm fairly certain that MICINCT replaces the part that has quit working, but you'd have to get him to confirm that.

Here are typical Panasonic mounted and unmounted laser assemblies: