Audio Tape Cassette Repair (Tape A => Tape B => Tape Error) Walkthrough

[jasontaylor7]

Symptom: Put tape in. Display says "Tape A" then "Tape B" then "Tape Error" and won't play. If you try to play it will eat your tape.

Problem: Rubber belt ages with time and gets loose. It falls off. Optical motion sensors warn computer tape is not being tightened, and shutdown player to prevent damage to tape because other parts will move one side of the tape.

Time to repair: 15 minutes.

Tools required : Hex set, Phillips screwdriver, nail, bag of large rubber bands or a proper replacement belt like @ https://www.ebay.com/itm/DIY-Repair-...d/401770760612 ["DIY Repair 60PCS 40-130mm Mix Cassette Tape Machine Square Belt Assorted Last one / 1 sold in 1 hour Price:US $0.99"], pliers. (A normal rubber band will work but might cause unwanted wow and flutter. But the rubber band solution will certainly work for using a $5 dummy cassette with 3.5mm input and the AUX hacks posted all over the place.)

Steps:

Remove volume knob by pulling it to you.

Turn 1/4 counter-clockwise with biggest fitting hex wrench the hex bolt in the hole underneath volume knob.

Pull off display, left side first.

Remove display wire harness on the right by pressing in on the tab and pulling towards you.

On the cassette/radio, near two pointed alignment things are two more hex female sockets. They are one metric size larger than the one for the display. Unscrew them until you feel resistance.

Pull back radio+cassette player.

Remove both antennas on the right side by pulling them off.

Pull up using a key or flat screwdriver the wire harness latch, which will pull out the wire harness.

Remove wire harness.

Remove radio unit.

Place radio on a working area like a clean table.

Remove the two top rear screws.

Pry up the top cover from the rear first.

Unscrew all four screws holding on the cassette player. The wire connector will automatically become detached.

Unscrew the 3 screws holding on the bottom metal bracket.

Here's where it get's tricky. Loosen the motion sensor board by flattening the three rear metal tabs. Also move the two wires for the side motor from their locked position. Remove the tape holding them too.

Note the black rubber band and the threading with the 4 pulleys.

Using the nail wiggle the black rubber band out.

Go to your bag of rubber bands and get something a little smaller. The ebay unit actually will be 1/2 the size of what you take out. It will be very tight. Do not use a rubber band that is the same size. It needs to be very tight.

Using the nail, thread the new rubber band around two large pulleys.

Now thread the two small pulleys, one of which goes to the motor.

There are four microswitches. While putting back on the bottom, look through the three holes to note that three of the plastic switches need to be pushed into position with the nail.

Reassemble by doing the above steps backwards, making sure none of the microswitches are jammed.

Test unit. If it makes a clicking sound, most likely one of the microswitches is jammed.