Pioneer CT-3131A right channel not working

[iPhoenixDave]

Hello everyone!
I recently acquired a Pioneer CT-3131A (its the same as the 4141 except for dolby) toploader deck for basically nothing. It needed a power cord, belts replaced, motor oiled and it works like a charm... except that the right channel doesnt exist. It doesnt work in either playback or record. The VU meters work, but the right channel is mute. It works when I switch to mono, both the VU and sound. Otherwise, theres nothing, no distortion either.
I know its not a high-end deck or anything but I really wanted to save it, its a sweet little machine.
Any ideas?
Thank you in advance!
David

 

[Schanz]

Are you saying you have a mono switch on the tape deck? Not sure I've seen that before. Have the pots/switches been thoroughly cleaned? There are also micro switches but those would not affect just one channel. After that, it's an easter egg hunt through the circuit.

 

[jobrewer1983]

Hello everyone!
I recently acquired a Pioneer CT-3131A (its the same as the 4141 except for dolby) toploader deck for basically nothing. It needed a power cord, belts replaced, motor oiled and it works like a charm... except that the right channel doesnt exist. It doesnt work in either playback or record. The VU meters work, but the right channel is mute. It works when I switch to mono, both the VU and sound. Otherwise, theres nothing, no distortion either.
I know its not a high-end deck or anything but I really wanted to save it, its a sweet little machine.
Any ideas?
Thank you in advance!
David

Just fixed a 4242 today



The 2 main record/play switches (large metal ones) have cleaned them with Deoxit? If not, try it. If yours has the same switches try to spray them with contact cleaner.



Same with the record level pot ^^



Also check the end of the said switches. Mine was broken. This would cause the switch to not be aligned causing no sound in the right channel.



Working like new now

 

[Okke 70s]

Are you saying you have a mono switch on the tape deck?

..was wondering about that two. If this is a switch before the op-amp, it says a lot that it works on both channels in mono. If it's a switch after the op-amp, well you know it's not the RCA connectors.