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| tape deck doesn't play (Page 1/2) |
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katie80
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MAR 23, 12:12 AM
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My tape deck won't play sometimes. it seems as though the head or some mechanism isn't engaging. I already replaced the belt a while ago that isn't the issue. it sounds like it engages when you put the tape in but then it just keeps clicking but not changing sides. sometimes it does work. the deck is from an 87 fiero. any ideas?
here's a video of the deck when I put a tape in:
https://youtu.be/lBUE3optz14
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Mike in Sydney
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MAR 23, 12:39 AM
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Does it do it on all tapes or just the one you put in? Are you sure the tape is moving? To check, mark a sprocket tooth on the tape with a texture marker. Observe where the mark is and put the tape in and let it "play" for a few seconds. If the mark is in the same place as where it was chances are good the belt is slipping or broken.
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katie80
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MAR 23, 02:24 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by Mike in Sydney:
Does it do it on all tapes or just the one you put in? Are you sure the tape is moving? To check, mark a sprocket tooth on the tape with a texture marker. Observe where the mark is and put the tape in and let it "play" for a few seconds. If the mark is in the same place as where it was chances are good the belt is slipping or broken. |
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it does it with every tape. the belt is fine. I just replaced it yesterday, it did this before too that belt was fine as well. the auto reverse mechanism is somehow not working I believe. it doesn't change the side of the tape. I don't think the tape is moving but I think the head and capstan need to be engaged to play the tape and i believe they aren't.
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WalkerTexan
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MAR 23, 10:19 AM
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My guess is the clicking is the auto reverse solenoid trying to change direction. The AR switch is activated by a plastic plunger that rests on the tape. When the end of tape is reached the tension forces the plunger out of the tape path and activates the switch. The switch applies power to the solenoid which then moves the mechanism to use the opposite capstan and roller. The mechanism has a mechanical latch that locks it in that direction. The next time it is activated the lock is released and it slides back to the other direction. I suspect the mechanism isn't fully sliding over to the other direction. You'll have to open it up again, and with no power applied manually depress the lever to trick it to have a tape in it. Then you can play with the plunger/sliding mechanism to see what is causing the hang up. Pushing the plunger and turning the flywheel should release the mechanism and have it cycle to the other direction. The sliding mechanism is sensitive to being bent or distorted and can cause failures to latch.
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WalkerTexan
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MAR 23, 11:34 AM
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Oops. Left out a step. You need to find the solenoid and move it manually and then turn the flywheel to see the mechanism work to diagnosis it.
I'm going by memory here. Every manufacturer varies a little so you will need to study it a little.
I used to repair audio systems for a living...back before there were Fieros!
Good luck. They are actually quite simple, they just look complicated.
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katie80
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MAR 23, 02:18 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by WalkerTexan:
My guess is the clicking is the auto reverse solenoid trying to change direction. The AR switch is activated by a plastic plunger that rests on the tape. When the end of tape is reached the tension forces the plunger out of the tape path and activates the switch. The switch applies power to the solenoid which then moves the mechanism to use the opposite capstan and roller. The mechanism has a mechanical latch that locks it in that direction. The next time it is activated the lock is released and it slides back to the other direction. I suspect the mechanism isn't fully sliding over to the other direction. You'll have to open it up again, and with no power applied manually depress the lever to trick it to have a tape in it. Then you can play with the plunger/sliding mechanism to see what is causing the hang up. Pushing the plunger and turning the flywheel should release the mechanism and have it cycle to the other direction. The sliding mechanism is sensitive to being bent or distorted and can cause failures to latch. |
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this deck is very different than any I can find online. I got it to play every time but now it plays from both sides at the same time and both sides play lights are illuminated. any ideas?
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katie80
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MAR 23, 02:20 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by WalkerTexan:
Oops. Left out a step. You need to find the solenoid and move it manually and then turn the flywheel to see the mechanism work to diagnosis it.
I'm going by memory here. Every manufacturer varies a little so you will need to study it a little.
I used to repair audio systems for a living...back before there were Fieros!
Good luck. They are actually quite simple, they just look complicated. |
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the one I have is more complicated than standard fiero tape decks. I've gotten it to play but now it plays both channels at the same time going either direction. any idea what this could be?
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katie80
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MAR 23, 03:49 PM
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WalkerTexan
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MAR 23, 06:40 PM
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The head has 4 tracks on it. You can see them as small rectangles on the surface. They are paired to make stereo. When the direction changes the audio circuit uses the other pair.
Usually there is a DPDT slide switch that is manipulated by the mechanism; this allows the input to the stereo audio circuits to move between the two pairs thus saving having to use four circuits.
I suspect the slide switch isn't moving fully with the mechanism and is stopping before breaking one set of contacts when making the other set.
Some units have screws holding the switch that allow for some adjustment to prevent this; others just use a "u" channel in the stamped mechanism piece(s) to slide the toggle of the switch and adjust by slightly bending the tabs of the "u" to put it in proper alignment.
Some use a plunger style switch for this as well which may not be either fully depressed or fully released by the slide mechanism.
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katie80
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MAR 23, 07:31 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by WalkerTexan:
The head has 4 tracks on it. You can see them as small rectangles on the surface. They are paired to make stereo. When the direction changes the audio circuit uses the other pair.
Usually there is a DPDT slide switch that is manipulated by the mechanism; this allows the input to the stereo audio circuits to move between the two pairs thus saving having to use four circuits.
I suspect the slide switch isn't moving fully with the mechanism and is stopping before breaking one set of contacts when making the other set.
Some units have screws holding the switch that allow for some adjustment to prevent this; others just use a "u" channel in the stamped mechanism piece(s) to slide the toggle of the switch and adjust by slightly bending the tabs of the "u" to put it in proper alignment.
Some use a plunger style switch for this as well which may not be either fully depressed or fully released by the slide mechanism. |
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I believe you're right. I had the deck semi working but not moving to play the tape in the position I thought the switch was meant to be in, so I put it in the second most likely spot. I'll take it back apart and put the mechanism in the switch properly. thank you. here is an image I found online of the tape mechanism in my fiero.
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