Teac X7R motor woes

[oldvinyldude]

:worried:I have a Teac X7R that is giving me problems.

The capstan motor runs erratically sometimes, and sometimes fails to run entirely. I have replaced the belt, cleaned and lubricated the pinch roller pivot assemblies, cleaned the rollers, and they seem nice and firm, yet pliable. Tape path is clean, and belt is a genuine Teac piece.

Symptoms:

Sometimes, it will play slow for a few minutes, then return to normal speed. After playing for a while (maybe 30-60 minutes), will not start up in 7.5 ips speed, either direction. Sometimes, setting for 3.75 speed, and cycling power to whole deck a few times will get the tape to move again, but only at the slower speed. I have to let the desk "rest" a few minutes-still on, but no play function engaged, for it to have a chance to run at 7.5 ips.

I can hear when the motor runs, and when it does not. When it does not, the pinch rollers engage, but obviously, no tape travel. When the motor is running, the rollers engage and tape travel is OK, other than the erratic slow play. To my knowledge and ear, it never runs too fast.

I am up to simple unsolder/resoldering tasks.

Suggestions on what to try next?

 

[tapetech]

Make sure the belt is correctly installed. If so, remove the motor and see if it spins at the same speed when you lift the tension arm. Put a load on the motor with your finger. If motor doesn't always start and spin consistently, the motor is likely bad. The motor drive board could be defect, but that is much less common than a defect motor. Get a new motor from Teac.

 

[audiojones]

You might try cleaning the speed control switch with contact cleaner. Also if the X7R has a pitch control clean out the pot on that too.

Does it have the same symptoms in reverse motion? If not it may be dirty contacts on the direction relay that are causing your problem. The motors in the X series can be problematic and there is a distinct possibility that it could be bad, but personally I'd do a little more investigating before condemning it.

 

[oldvinyldude]

Where's the relay?

You might try cleaning the speed control switch with contact cleaner. Also if the X7R has a pitch control clean out the pot on that too.

Does it have the same symptoms in reverse motion? If not it may be dirty contacts on the direction relay that are causing your problem. The motors in the X series can be problematic and there is a distinct possibility that it could be bad, but personally I'd do a little more investigating before condemning it.

OK-thanks AudioJones

I do, unfortunately, have the same issue in both directions. (Guess that means it has me coming and going.....

I will check out the relay-where would it be? I do not recall seeing it when I had the case open to replace the belt and clean the level and output pots. I do have variable speed-so I will hit that one too.

I will update when I get these looked at-but right now I am playing some Van Morrison on the deck, at 7.5ips and the correct speed-such a tease this machine:yes:

 

[audiojones]

OK-thanks AudioJones

I do, unfortunately, have the same issue in both directions. (Guess that means it has me coming and going.....

I will check out the relay-where would it be? I do not recall seeing it when I had the case open to replace the belt and clean the level and output pots. I do have variable speed-so I will hit that one too.

I will update when I get these looked at-but right now I am playing some Van Morrison on the deck, at 7.5ips and the correct speed-such a tease this machine:yes:

If it's doing it in both directions I would definitely start by cleaning the speed selector switch and the pitch control pot thoroughly before thinking about the direction control. Also check the connector on the motor servo board and the wires going to and from the motor.

I don't know exactly where the motor reversing relay is on that model, although others here can probably help you. I know that the lower models like the X3R and X300R change motor direction with the pushbuttons on front, but I think the X7R uses a relay instead of direct controls.


Van Morrison - great! Moondance, Tupelo Honey, His Band and the Street Choir, Astral Weeks and Veedon Fleece all get regular play around here!