Tape Trail

Play/record (ONLY) function inoperative on Pioneer cassette deck??

184.144.204.39

ParloFax

What could be the cause? Pulleys operate all normal on FF and Reverse, belts all in place and fine... But that right-hand spindle just refuses to load the tape at Play/Record and it gets all tangled up...

I have used this little machine for what, 30 years? Now my son wants it, and I can't even get it to work!...

Follow Ups:

Which model is it? - soundnut 17:03:45 06/09/12 (8)
You might get more accurate responses if you list the model. All decks operate differently.

For much less than what you might spend repairing it, you could likely get a nice, newer deck that works properly. Most tape decks are very cheap nowadays. I've picked up plenty of them for under $10. Just an idea.

Good luck with your deck.
Bobbo :-)
- CT-F500 - ParloFax 17:20:12 06/09/12 (7)
  Sorry, I didn't think that for such a basic fault, the model was that important to specify.
  
  No, you're right, I don't want to spend anything on this. I was just curious, and since the machine is more or less apart on my workbench, I thought I might ask you folks if there is any chance to resuscitate it on the cheap...
  - Here's something to look for - soundnut 06:37:04 06/12/12 (6)
    There is usually a rubber idler wheel that engages against the take up reel side. If you can get to it, you can clean it with rubber cleaner/conditioner. You'll be able to do a much better job of it if you can get the idler removed.
    Use a rough rag (a terrycloth washcloth works well) saturated in a small spot with the cleaner and scour the heck out of it. I usually lay the rag flat on a table, and scour the idler surface against it, turning it a little as I go so I don't wear one side flat.
    Once the area is black, you'll want to saturate a different spot and repeat as necessary until the surface of the rubber is dull and little if any black comes off on the cloth. You will ruin the rag with this, so don't use your wife's fancy towels unless you wanna spend some time in the doghouse.
    The stuff you'll want to use is Rawn Re-Grip. $4.19 a bottle & it goes a long way. There's a link below.
    Good luck,
    Bobbo :-)
    - Rawn Re-Grip (Open in New Window)
    Edits: 06/12/12
    - Fantastic! Many thanks, Bobbo! - ParloFax 10:30:52 06/12/12 (5)
      If I can get to the bottom of this, I'll let you know for sure how it turns out!
      
      Cheers to you!
      - Yer welcome! - soundnut 18:12:06 06/12/12 (4)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Fantastic! Many thanks, Bobbo! posted by ParloFax on June 12, 2012 at 10:30:52
        
        And do let us know what happens.
        
        I've had a few tape decks lose their grip like that & thoroughly cleaning the idler fixed the problem permanently. (Had to do that to my current Nakamichi BX300, too.)
        
        Cheers,
        Bobbo :-)
        
        It worked, Bobbo!! - ParloFax 13:23:12 06/29/12 (3)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Yer welcome! posted by soundnut on June 12, 2012 at 18:12:06
        
        I was too scared to try to unmount that idler from that little SOAB (SO MANY SCREWS!!!!), but I had enough access to work it good with a swab stick.
        
        Many thanks again!
        
        Sweet! - soundnut 06:47:32 07/02/12 (2)
        
        In Reply to: RE: It worked, Bobbo!! posted by ParloFax on June 29, 2012 at 13:23:12
        
        Glad you got 'er going!
        
        Did you use the rubber cleaner stuff? You can use 90% or higher alcohol in a pinch, and it works. But the rubber cleaner does a much better and more permanent job. As long as you used some elbow grease & the wab wasn't coming off black anymore when you were done, it should be a permanent fix.
        
        Cheers,
        Bobbo :-)
        
        I was trying to avoid "coming out" on that bit (alcohol vs. rubber cleaner)... - ParloFax 12:36:32 07/03/12 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Sweet! posted by soundnut on July 02, 2012 at 06:47:32
        
        I had figured the product you recommended (which I have bookmarked anyway) must cost an arm & a leg for me to have shipped here in Canada - everything usually does - and not trusting my own skills enough for such an investment at the moment, I decided to try this clean-up procedure instead with the no-no-for-rubber isopropyl alcohol... Thus now your reply comes in as a relief! I suppose this specific type of rubber is tough enough to withstand it?
        Perhaps this Rawn Re-Grip cleaner is carried by some B&M place I could drop by to when on visit down South? Such as Michael's Arts & Crafts maybe?...
        Oh and my son extends his personal thanks to you! ...And he wants to know if you're nicknamed after the assistant of The Claw in "Get Smart"! ("The CRAW, not the CRAW, the CRAW!!" LOL)
        
        Edits: 07/03/12 07/03/12
        
        Ha... - soundnut 13:33:20 07/03/12 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I was trying to avoid "coming out" on that bit (alcohol vs. rubber cleaner)... posted by ParloFax on July 03, 2012 at 12:36:32
        
        Never heard of the Get Smart reference. Nice... Actually, it's a self-imposed nick. (I'm just ordinarily plain ol' Bob.)
        
        A lot of people warn against using alcohol on rubber idlers, but the higher concentrations evaporate quickly, and I've done it many times over the years without issues. But the regular rubber stuff admittedly does a better job.
        
        Glad you got it working. Enjoy the tunes!
        
        Cheers,
        Evil assistant Bobbo :-P

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