Another channel drop out question, headphones fine

[Gobstopper]

My SX-838 has had a problem recently where the right channel drops out and/or sounds static-y or buzzy, out if the volume is relatively low. If I increase the volume the channel will come back. Last year the effect was present in both speaker and headphones. Using Deoxit on the volume and balance pots and source selectors fixed it for a good 6 months or so. More recently, the behavior started again, but the effect is only present in the speaker; headphones are fine. I've always had my speakers plugged into "Speaker A", so I moved them into "Speaker B" and it was good for a few days and then started up again. I tried tapping on the relay while it was happening but nothing changed. I moved it into Speaker C (meant to move back to A, but I was upside down and guessed wrong) and for the past 15 minutes has been okay. I also just swapped the left and right connections on the speakers. If the issue starts up again, but on the opposite side, is this still most likely a relay issue? I replaced the original relay about 13 - 14 years ago.

 

[john stumpf]

schematically ,as the headphones are down stream from the relay, and before the switch it would seem to me the switches are to blame if the phones are ok. i use d100 on switches and leave it sit for a few days cycling the switches many times i then flush with d5. a syringe is your friend here. its also possible the switches are toast too unlikely all 3 but possible. all the same i would try cleaning one more time. those arent too fun to get at

 

[Gobstopper]

Thanks John, I was too tired last night to lookup the schematic, that would have been the obvious place to start! I'll deoxit the switches when it starts up again and see if it takes care of the issue.

Gabe