Nakamichi 480 no play?

[jleon92f]

Hi Cassette users,

I am into another Tape deck, Nakamichi 480. Weird problem. If you press the play buton with the power off and then press the power button the take up spool will turn. If you just turn on the deck and then press play only the RW spool turns and unwinds your tape.

I have it ripped down to the chassis and still can't see how it works?

Thanks as always for any help.
John.

 

[dr*audio]

On the right rear of the chassis there is a pot that is used for sensing the position of the mechanism. Try cleaning the pot.

 

[jleon92f]

On the right rear of the chassis there is a pot that is used for sensing the position of the mechanism. Try cleaning the pot.

Is it the big one with the #'s on it?

Thanks,
John.

 

[dr*audio]

Dude, that's a motor. A pot is a volume control. You can't see it in that picture, its on the other side of the mechanism.

 

[jleon92f]

Dude, that's a motor. A pot is a volume control. You can't see it in that picture, its on the other side of the mechanism.

I see the slot in the middle and thought of the Volumes control.

Here is another picture of the transport, There is a pot on the end and (2) on that PCB.

It played for a minute or so one time? Other than that it shuts down after about 4 sec.

UPDATE: It is working now??? It is playing now for a time, then the sound gets lower and muddled? Does not record, the take up spool does not turn in record mode? Too many problems... Good thing I bought it cheap, Real cheap! If you stop and restart the volume comes back up?

This is driving me crazy??? Never heard anything like this? All you have to do is hit the pause buttton on and off and the volume is back?

Thanks,

John.

 

[phatterplatter]

Needs belts and an idler tire.
Older units need parts like that.

If you cant track down belt/idler data..I might be able to find it here

 

[jleon92f]

Needs belts and an idler tire.
Older units need parts like that.

If you cant track down belt/idler data..I might be able to find it here

Belts have been replaced already, IT DOES PLAY VERY NICE, just can't hear it after a few minutes, Transport is good, FF/RW work great! it is something else I am thinking? The Take up spindle does not work in Record mode only?

Thanks,
John.

 

[dr*audio]

You said the take up spindle doesn't turn. That's your first problem, it isn't taking up the tape and the tape is bunching up between the capstan and pinchroller on the take up side. You need a tire for the idler wheel. Fred at Mars Communications has a store on ebay and he has a belt kit that includes the idler tire, for about what others charge just for the idler tire. Don't buy the idler from someone else, some of them are crap and don't last. Replacing the idler requires major disassembly, you have to separate the plates of the transport.
Another issue with this deck is the pinchrollers must be in perfect condition or the tape will skew between the pinchrollers and capstans. New pinchollers are very expensive, but Terry Witt can rebuild them for much less; $35 each plus $5 shipping.

 

[jleon92f]

You said the take up spindle doesn't turn. That's your first problem, it isn't taking up the tape and the tape is bunching up between the capstan and pinchroller on the take up side. You need a tire for the idler wheel. Fred at Mars Communications has a store on ebay and he has a belt kit that includes the idler tire, for about what others charge just for the idler tire. Don't buy the idler from someone else, some of them are crap and don't last. Replacing the idler requires major disassembly, you have to separate the plates of the transport.
Another issue with this deck is the pinchrollers must be in perfect condition or the tape will skew between the pinchrollers and capstans. New pinchollers are very expensive, but Terry Witt can rebuild them for much less; $35 each plus $5 shipping.

Thanks for the information, I have used Terry before. I moved it out to someone who may be able to fix it.

Thanks,
John.