8 Track player - won't play :(

[stonecutter2]

I've got a Realistic TR-169 8 track player deck.

I plugged it in last night for the first time in years, and it just sits on section 4, and hitting the program button doesn't make the characteristic "ka-chunk!" to change the track. It makes a muffled attempt at changing tracks, but is still stuck on 4.

Sound familiar to anyone?

I'll probably crack it open later tonight to see if I can figure it out, but thought I'd tap into the wisdom on this forum.

Thanks!

 

[Bob91343]

That's what you need to do, open it and clean it up. Maybe a new belt.

 

[BruceRPA]

I bet that you will find that the belt is now a nasty puddle of goo. If it is, you can try turning a can of compressed air / air duster upside down and freezing the goo solid so that you can pick it off in chunks. That works sometimes.

 

[AAA3330]

The track changing mechanism sounds like it needs to be lubed. Very common. I have some contact cleaner/lube that I usually use on these. It frees up the old dried lube and relubricates.

 

[stonecutter2]

Gives me some direction when I open 'er up, thank you folks!

 

[Vintage_Hi-F]

Gives me some direction when I open 'er up, thank you folks!

Step one open the trash can lid
Step two place TR-169 in can
Step three place lid back on trash can
Step four go buy a cassette deck.


I'm sorry I just couldn't resist.

 

[stonecutter2]

Step one open the trash can lid
Step two place TR-169 in can
Step three place lid back on trash can
Step four go buy a cassette deck.


I'm sorry I just couldn't resist.

Haha

:nono:

Step one: Take off TR-169 cover.
Step two: Put 8-track "capstan cleaner" in player (no tape in it)
Step three: Look at why capstan/belt on the bottom isn't turning.
Step four: Nudge the motor's spindle a little bit.
Step five: Watch the motor/capstan come back to life, and put cover back on.
Step six: Play some Bee Gee's and Abba and

:thmbsp:

Easy fix, thanks everyone! Just had to encourage the motor a little, I guess it got gummed up just a bit, from sitting for awhile. Might need to lubricate a couple of things, but she's alive again!