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PLEASE-- I can't be the only one...

R

RJMacReady

New Member
Help w/ Sony TC-WA9ES Sought

To Dr. Audio and all Audiokarma Sages: I think I may have finally found the right place on the Web for some intelligent advice. I have a Sony TC-WA9ES dual well deck, purchased September 2010. It has had light/moderate use. I kept the pinch rollers, capstans, heads, and tape paths immaculately clean. It was kept under a dust cover when not in use. I started playing a tape in the left side ("A") well, (the one with the Pitch Control function, of course). I stopped the tape, pushed the Open/Close button, and action = null. A second pressing of the button opened the door, but I noticed the tape time counter advanced 7-8 seconds. The tape itself was a tad unspooled. Now, every time I open the A side well,( with a tape inserted or not) the left side shaft rotates clockwise for 7-8 seconds. Upon closing, the shaft does not move but the time counter still advances 7-8 seconds. I have unplugged the unit, powered it on while pressing both Reset buttons as per the manual, action = null. The "B" well operates perfectly. One last thing, on powering up, the left shaft moves clockwise a very tiny bit.

I love this deck, as I do all of my ES gear. The local Sony Repair Hub in Bristol, PA closed years ago. I changed the belts in my WM-D6C, so I am fairly handy. What do ye wise men think? I would be eternally grateful for any useful advise. Thanks To Any Responders, RJ Mac :eek:
 
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Hello AKers, PLEASE read this post and hopefully someone can point me in the right direction. It is hard to believe I am the only one this has happened to:

I think I may have finally found the right place on the Web for some intelligent advice. I have a Sony TC-WA9ES dual well deck, purchased September 2010. It has had light/moderate use. I kept the pinch rollers, capstans, heads, and tape paths immaculately clean. It was kept under a dust cover when not in use. I started playing a tape in the left side ("A") well, (the one with the Pitch Control function, of course). I stopped the tape, pushed the Open/Close button, and action = null. A second pressing of the button opened the door, but I noticed the tape time counter advanced 7-8 seconds. The tape itself was a tad unspooled. Now, every time I open the A side well,( with a tape inserted or not) the left side shaft rotates clockwise for 7-8 seconds. Upon closing, the shaft does not move but the time counter still advances 7-8 seconds. I have unplugged the unit, powered it on while pressing both Reset buttons as per the manual, action = null. The "B" well operates perfectly. One last thing, on powering up, the left shaft moves clockwise a very tiny bit.

I love this deck, as I do all of my ES gear. The local Sony Repair Hub in Bristol, PA closed years ago. I changed the belts in my WM-D6C, so I am fairly handy. What do ye wise men think? I would be eternally grateful for any useful advise. :beer: RJ Mac
Edit/Delete Message
 
Perhaps the pin that detects a tape, usually hidden, is jammed for some reason. Just a wild stab from someone who had a similar probem long ago in a galaxy far, far away.
 
Tapehead47 said:
Perhaps the pin that detects a tape, usually hidden, is jammed for some reason. Just a wild stab from someone who had a similar probem long ago in a galaxy far, far away.
Click to expand...

I second that. I seem to have readed somewhere that sony pins of recent decks tend to get dirty inside and fail. I guess that a simple air blow or carefull alcohol clean can fix it.. But don't take my words seriously,
 
RE: Thanks for the replies

To all who responded, thank you. BTW, the year 2010 was a typo, I purchased it September 2000. For better or worse, I am sending it into the Sony repair facility @ Laredo, TX. I'm sure the $119.00 flat fee will not hold up, as these pins you guys mentioned are probably not covered under the flat price policy. I guess the hardest thing to decide will be if the estimate is $250 or even $300, do I let the deck go because of that? It is such a beautiful and well built unit, and really has not had that much use over the years. I guess I'll have to see what is out there new for $300 and take it from there. Thanks Again, RJ Mac:beer::beer:
 
RJMacReady said:
To all who responded, thank you. BTW, the year 2010 was a typo, I purchased it September 2000. For better or worse, I am sending it into the Sony repair facility @ Laredo, TX. I'm sure the $119.00 flat fee will not hold up, as these pins you guys mentioned are probably not covered under the flat price policy. I guess the hardest thing to decide will be if the estimate is $250 or even $300, do I let the deck go because of that? It is such a beautiful and well built unit, and really has not had that much use over the years. I guess I'll have to see what is out there new for $300 and take it from there. Thanks Again, RJ Mac:beer::beer:
Click to expand...

Report back on what happens with the service center if you would please.
 
Service Center Report

Blaze et al... I will post detailed report on my Sony factory service center repair experience. It is curious while searching their website for possible repair centers, one was identified in Teaneck, NJ. Given that Sony has made a special deal for the shipping of the units w/UPS, ($11.60 both ways!), it made no sense to drive the 150 mile one-way trip to Teaneck. What is curious is that it is being sent to Laredo, TX, not Teaneck. I care not as long as the estimate is reasonable and the work done expertly. The deck will be on its' way by next Wednesday latest. Thx Again All, Mac:beer::beer:
 
Blaze ES et al... As requested, an update: The folks at the Sony Repair Center in Laredo TX tell me replacing all the drive belts will cure my previously described problem. They only want $55.00 for the job, which sems almost too good to be true. I will post again once I have received the deck and checked its' operation. Thx, Mac:beer:
 
$55.00 to replace all the belts in a Dual cassette deck ?? That price is amazing !!! I picked up a 901ES recently - maybe I should send it in for new belts !!
 
HELP NEEDED: Sony cassette belts

Hello AKer's, I got the $55.00 estimate from Sony to repair my TC-WA9ES (they said it was a "belt problem, no further specifics.) Then they decided to tell me the part(s) are on back order. I did find one online store, www.partstore.com, which has only 2 belts shown for the WA9ES, one is in stock, the other available as a "Special Order". Anyone know of any other suppliers? On Monday, I will try to squeeze the info out of the repair facility which belt/belts are on backorder.

The reason I am reaching out now is I'm afraid "back order" is the first step on the slipperly slope to "no longer available".
Any help greatly appreciated, RJMAC:beer:
 
You could probably contact Encompass regarding these parts.
 
Hello Max, I phoned the Sony repair facility to see which belt(s) were on back order, and they told me the unit was fixed and already on its' way back to me! Strange goings on, from a part that was "on back order" last Friday to magically appearing so fast. Thank you for trying to help though. As promised, I will inform the Forum once I receive the deck and check its' operation. Thanks and Take Care, MacReady

PS: I guess the lesson in all this is for me to get a couple of pairs of belts for any other of my Sony decks that use them, before they truly become unavailable.:beer:
 
Electik, Thanks for the leads, this deck is worth going the extra mile for, the specs and build quality are excellent. I'm told it was the last dual well Sony ES deck produced, let's hope I can get it fixed. Thanks, MacReady
 
HELP NEEDED: Sony cassette belts UPDATE

Hello Akers, I got the deck back from Sony's factory repair facility, and they fixed absolutely NULL. No invoice inside the box, all they told me over the phone is 2 capstan and 2 mode belts were replaced. Now, there is a 90 minute tape stuck in well "A", as the door refuses to open and disgorge it. The original problem still exists ( not intermittent, this happened every time): Press Open/Close button on well A, door opens but L/S motor drive shaft rotates clockwise for 8 seconds. The time display verifies this. Press Open/Close button, door closes but the shaft does not rotate, however the time display advances for 5 seconds. This happened EVERY time you tried it. Now I have an irreplaceable $600 TC-WA9ES deck with a tape stuck in well A! I guess all of my searching for the supposed belt they had to back order was a total waste of my time and anyone's who was kind enough to reply to the original post with source suggestions. Perhaps not a total waste, because I am using all of the info supplied by the generous AudioKarma members and other sources to compile a list then procure new drive belts for all of my aging ES stuff that use them, before they become unavailable. Many thanks to all who responded, I will let you know the final resolution of this mess. Many Thanks and Happy Holidays, MacReady:beer:
 
J, Yes, they charge your credit card before shipping the unit out. So I'm out $47.00 "repairs" and $36.00 shipping. I will call them Monday and see what the next course of of hoops I have to jump through consists of. The thing that absolutely astounds me is that the deck well A does this EVERY TIME. I could see some room for error if it were an intermittent problem, but that does not apply here. Mac:beer:
 
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