Panasonic/National RX-C53 Record button doesn't stay down

V

v2000

New Member
Hi, new member here :)
I recently purchased an RX-C53, but found the record button doesn't stay down (90% of the time,anyway).
The record button also seems to cause an inconsistent issue with the speakers either only playing audio from one side or neither, meaning I have to press it a few times to get both speakers working. I thought it was possibly some sort of dodgy connection based on this but I'm doubting it now.

I've taken it apart as it needed a bit of a clean anyway, but nothing is jumping out at me as being the issue. The belts are okay, could do with a replacement for the counter belt at some point but the others all look good. I DID get the record button to stay down once I took the deck out of the main cabinet, but when I put it back in the record mechanism was released again? It seems like something is very sensitive to being knocked, so isn't always clicking into place but I can't see what.

I'm hesitant to deconstuct the deck itself as I have very little idea of what I'm doing, and would be gutted if something went wrong because I was being nosy lol.

If anyone could help me I'd be very grateful, I can get pictures if needed :)
 
goodman

goodman

Member (SA)
In playback mode record button must be in normal position (not depressed).
In recording mode push rec + play button and they must stay depressed.
In you have problem with lost sound these is many problems, but usually must check 2 things:
Clean and spray function button (tape-radio switch).
Clean and spray record bar switch:

www.boomboxery.com

Record Switch Bar Example

A few boombox problems are caused by a dirty, or faulty, record switch / bar. Most of the times, the primary symptom is a high-pitched squeal when playing cassettes. Thorough cleaning with DeOxit or some other electronics cleaner will generally be the simple fix. Here is an example of what a...
www.boomboxery.com www.boomboxery.com
 
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Tinman

Tinman

Member (SA)
On most boomboxes, there's a mechanical linkage from the record function on the cassette player to the record switch bar goodman is referring to.
When the record button is depressed, it moves the linkage which in turn pushes on the record switch bar and holds it in that position.
I found an old pic on my phone showing the linkage on a Panasonic 5350.
The front lever is pushed to the right by the record function on the cassette player (which is removed).
That pulls the wire which rotates the other lever which then pushes the record switch bar to the right.
PXL_20230205_003208179.jpg
 
V

v2000

New Member
Tinman said:
On most boomboxes, there's a mechanical linkage from the record function on the cassette player to the record switch bar goodman is referring to.
When the record button is depressed, it moves the linkage which in turn pushes on the record switch bar and holds it in that position.
I found an old pic on my phone showing the linkage on a Panasonic 5350.
The front lever is pushed to the right by the record function on the cassette player (which is removed).
That pulls the wire which rotates the other lever which then pushes the record switch bar to the right.
View attachment 60735
Click to expand...
Unless I was being blind I don't think any such link exists on the RX-C53, as the cassette player mechanism isn't connect to anything inside the cabinet with anything but wires. There's a video here showing the inside and how the cassette player comes out - maybe the connection is more obvious if you are more familiar with this sort of thing?
 
Tinman

Tinman

Member (SA)
It's there, the linkages are different in every box.
Pause it at 4:17 and you can see the large metal piece with the spring and gold screw, that's part of it.
If you follow that down to the circuit board, it's pressing against the record switch.
That will pivot when the record button is depressed.
Pause it at 4:24 and right above where he's removing the screw you'll see what looks like a silver metal bracket.
That should move up when you depress the record button which in turn will push up on the large metal piece at 4:17 and push on the record switch.
It looks difficult to mess that up but I'd verify everything is working correctly.
 
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V

v2000

New Member
Tinman said:
It's there, the linkages are different in every box.
Pause it at 4:17 and you can see the large metal piece with the spring and gold screw, that's part of it.
If you follow that down to the circuit board, it's pressing against the record switch.
That will pivot when the record button is depressed.
Pause it at 4:24 and right above where he's removing the screw you'll see what looks like a silver metal bracket.
That should move up when you depress the record button which in turn will push up on the large metal piece at 4:17 and push on the record switch.
It looks difficult to mess that up but I'd verify everything is working correctly.
Click to expand...
Ohhhh! That makes so much sense now, as I mentioned it seemed like even when I was able to get the record button to stay down, it instantly clicked back again if I put the cassette player back into the cabinet. I'm guessing something is stopping that bit with the spring from moving.
Now I know what I'm looking for I'll take it apart tonight (hopefully) and update if I have any success.
 
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