Is it set for "repeat" mode ?

very good chance laser pickup is weak and cannot read past a small scratch or flaw in disc and starts over playing same track

Yep. I had somewhat the same problem. My CD-3 starts at track #3 - plays for approximately 20 seconds, then starts over on track #3. Even if advance it to another track it makes some "hunting" noises inside and then returns to track #3.

Mine does the same thing. It starts out on track #3, plays for approximately 20 seconds, then starts over again. I checked all the settings - they're good.