8 track deck repair help needed

[jhinkel]

Hey guys!
So, I bought a Panasonic RS-806US 8 track deck for $20, and there seem to be a few things wrong with it that I wanted to see if anyone could coach me through fixing. I have the service manual, but it's not telling me too much about how to diagnose my specific issues...

1.) output is very quiet. I have a few tapes that are in very good condition, but when I play them, I have to turn my amp up to half volume in order to get normal listening levels. Also, on top of that, the left channel is quieter than the right channel.

2.) When track 4 plays, there is no sound coming from the unit. My theory is a dead spot in the head, which probably won't be too fixable, but maybe someone will have a different suggestion!

3.) I can't figure out how to make record work. I have a blank tape, but when I put it into the deck, the record button will not depress and activate record mode. However, when I don't have a tape in the deck and press the record button, the record light comes on, and it seems to be good.

I already cleaned the heads with isopropyl alcohol, so they should be clean, which is good.

Thanks for any help people can give me! I'm very much a newbie at diagnosing 8 track problems and would love to use this broken deck to learn more about how to do it!

 

[oldvinyldude]

Start with the basics-in addition to cleaning the heads. Clean them again-for good measure. Examine all wires leading to the heads for failed solder connections or any other instance of a lost conductor to heads. (head 4?)

Clean and exercise any switches that are in the signal path. Tape/Source switches, record switch, play switch. Input level and output level potentiometers. Remember that on many decks, the transport switches often move a switch to change the signal path as well.

I suppose it can't hurt to carefully note whether the head is moving into a new position, when track 4 is selected. I doubt that the track 4 issue is mechanical in nature, but worth a look to rule this out.

 

[jhinkel]

Awesome! Thanks for giving me a starting place oldvinyldude. I'll crack it open when I get a free sec and take a look.

 

[tom3]

Not sure on this deck, but some decks do have a plastic mount for the head, gets broken over the years and head alignment is off. Real poor sound then. On most decks you push and hold the record button, then the play button to get it to record.

 

[1tumbleweed]

Hey guys!
So, I bought a Panasonic RS-806US 8 track deck for $20, and there seem to be a few things wrong with it that I wanted to see if anyone could coach me through fixing. I have the service manual, but it's not telling me too much about how to diagnose my specific issues...

1.) output is very quiet. I have a few tapes that are in very good condition, but when I play them, I have to turn my amp up to half volume in order to get normal listening levels. Also, on top of that, the left channel is quieter than the right channel.

A couple of suggestions. You said your tapes are in good condition but have you checked the pressure pads? Bad pads could cause this problem. Another possibility is that the head is still dirty. Clean the face again. Also, is there an output level control on the front, or perhaps the back? Some decks adjust output level for record AND playback.

2.) When track 4 plays, there is no sound coming from the unit. My theory is a dead spot in the head, which probably won't be too fixable, but maybe someone will have a different suggestion!

The head only has two gaps, left and right, and moves to a different position for each program, so if you get sound from the other tracks the problem is not the head. Most likely is that your head is grossly misadjusted. Are you getting the proper music on the other three (i.e., is the music listed for program one what's playing on program one?)

3.) I can't figure out how to make record work. I have a blank tape, but when I put it into the deck, the record button will not depress and activate record mode. However, when I don't have a tape in the deck and press the record button, the record light comes on, and it seems to be good.

Exactly how it's intended to work. Insert the tape, then press record.

Thanks for any help people can give me! I'm very much a newbie at diagnosing 8 track problems and would love to use this broken deck to learn more about how to do it!

There are several folks around here who still use 8 tracks and will be happy to lend any help needed.

Happy trails,
Larry B.

 

[jhinkel]

My comments are bolded below:

A couple of suggestions. You said your tapes are in good condition but have you checked the pressure pads? Bad pads could cause this problem. Another possibility is that the head is still dirty. Clean the face again. Also, is there an output level control on the front, or perhaps the back? Some decks adjust output level for record AND playback.

yep, I checked the pressure pads on the tape I was using, and they were ok! There is an output level control for each channel, and it was turned all the way up. Good point about cleaning the heads though... might try that again!

The head only has two gaps, left and right, and moves to a different position for each program, so if you get sound from the other tracks the problem is not the head. Most likely is that your head is grossly misadjusted. Are you getting the proper music on the other three (i.e., is the music listed for program one what's playing on program one?)
yep, I am getting the proper music on the other three, so that helps a lot! Thank you!!


Exactly how it's intended to work. Insert the tape, then press record.
That's good to know. That means there's something sticking then, because when I press record, it depresses slightly but will not press all the way in and engage.


There are several folks around here who still use 8 tracks and will be happy to lend any help needed.

Thanks for your help Larry!
Happy trails,
Larry B.

 

[jeffs01879]

I can't claim to be familiar with the operation of all 8-track decks, but to record with my Wollensak, you push the record button or lever first, then insert the cartridge. If you insert the cartridge first, the record lever won't move.

Your playback problems sound like pressure pad problems. If the cartridges you're playing have foam pressure pads and they haven't been replaced, there's a 99% chance that they are bad. Bad pressure pads will give you low or no volume, particularly on the outer tracks, program 1 left channel and program 4 right channel.

Jeff

 

[jhinkel]

Finally had a chance to open my deck up! Turns out that the playback trim pot for the left channel was poorly adjusted such that playback volume on the left channel was much lower than the right channel. The two channels are playing with equal loudness now! Jamming out to some Electric Light Orchestra!!