First time fixing a cassette player. Would love some advice.

[Skattebo]

I am working on fixing up an old 683-1990 JC Penney Company AM/FM Stereo - Phono - Tape Component System. Both the turntable and cassette player need some work, but I'm out of my element working on the cassette player.

I think the issue is either that the wheel belts need to be replaced OR that the rubber roller is applying too much pressure on the spinning pin (sorry, I don't know the proper terminology).

I have a video I recorded which outlines what the issue seems to be and what I am looking at. Click HERE or use the following link to watch the video: http://vid.us/nljv9e

Let me know if you have any thoughts on what the issue could be, or if there are other things I should consider.

Thanks!

 

[jobrewer1983]

I am working on fixing up an old 683-1990 JC Penney Company AM/FM Stereo - Phono - Tape Component System. Both the turntable and cassette player need some work, but I'm out of my element working on the cassette player.

I think the issue is either that the wheel belts need to be replaced OR that the rubber roller is applying too much pressure on the spinning pin (sorry, I don't know the proper terminology).

I have a video I recorded which outlines what the issue seems to be and what I am looking at. Click HERE or use the following link to watch the video: http://vid.us/nljv9e

Let me know if you have any thoughts on what the issue could be, or if there are other things I should consider.

Thanks!

Welcome to AK man, looks like a fun project!

This is a good video to identify parts in a cassette deck mech. ^^ watch this. The mechanism in your consul should be able to be removed for easy access of the belts.

Watch some of this guys repair videos on cassette decks, should be of some help. He has tons of videos out. He’s good and knows his stuff. He fixes a lot of stuff, but has many videos on cassette decks.

Tape Deck:
1. Belts will need to be replaced
2. Pinch roller will need to be replaced
3. Clean the heads & rollers with some rubbing alcohol.

Get on HiFi Engine and also VinylEngine start an account on both. It’s free and is a secure, they will not send you spam emails.

Try to find the service manuals for the unit your working on. This can help you with tear down and reassembly. You should be able to find them on HiFi or VinylEngine as a free download.

Just by seeing the video. The pinch roller needs to be cleaned and probability replaced, the belts are slipping too. New belts and a roller is a must for old decks.

Looks like they are all flat belts, get on eBay and do a search or cassette deck flat belts.

Good luck with it man!

 

[Bone Yard]

The belts might be old and hard, not soft and rubbery, so when pressure is on the capstan, the backside belts are too slippery. Rubber Rejuvinator might work on the Pinch Roller if that's hard, you might have a hard time finding a replacement roller for this unit unless it's a common size. I'd also look for little pieces of black tape shred, which can get gooey, if it gets stuck on any of the axles it can cause a lot of friction.

 

[dinger]

The "metal peg" is the capstan. The "rubber roller" is the pinch roller. You just need more belt tension to get things working again. Look to replace the belts. I doubt you will need to replace the pinch roller. Just clean it up with some isopropanol for now until you get the belts replaced.

 

[Jonny Ramone]

There probably won't be a ready-made belt kit for this, or a service manual(you can check, though). You'll probably have to measure the old belts, and subtract 10%(something like that), and order new ones from a electronics/belt supplier. I've used different suppliers; this one has a big assortment. You may have to blaze the trail getting the belts on, but google JCPenney cassette deck, check youtube, etc. Take extensive picture if you tear it apart. https://www.beltsforanything.com/store

 

[visman]

Take extensive picture if you tear it apart.

This! Also keep your parts well organized - you don’t want a leftover screw when your done!

 

[Zygmo]

This! Also keep your parts well organized - you don’t want a leftover screw when your done!

Are you sure. Back in the day when I worked on 57 chevy engines, if you didn't have a couple of bolts left after repairing something, you did something wrong!

 

[bobdod]

I'm also wondering about some basics. Typically with SS amps I will use a dbt and variac for initial power up if I have no history on the unit. However, there are certain amps that should not be started up on a variac or dbt. Is there anything about cassette decks that would make using a variac or dbt a bad idea? I've just picked up an HK CD-491, and want to reform the electrolytics with gradual application of voltage over a few hours, but am not sure if that is a bad idea for this piece of gear.

 

[jnicholson14]

I get a piece of paper and put screws in a ladeled circle on the paper so I know where each came from.

If cleaning solution doesn't work on the pinch rollers you can scuff it with some sandpaper, I've had to do this when I couldn't find a proper replacement.