JVC PC-X130 Display Lamp Replacement?

Superb collection!

I've almost had the chance to take them all apart with the 3D Hyper Bass, but the PC-X100 is quite incredible in its bass response!

Each model is slightly different.

The PC-V2 is still exceptional for 1987! The sound is truly amazing, with the CD player being superbly filtered, and the radio and cassette player are superb in both playback and copying. However, it's difficult to repair in order to access the internal components!
YES! Regardless of the specs, I've always found the PC-X100 to have the most bombastic bass response of any I've heard (you'd think the 300 or 500 would beat it, but they just don't). You're right, though - they're all a little different. I think the PC-Y555 has a similar sound to the 100...but nothing is quite like the 100. I've never had the chance to own or work on a V2, but I agree with you: it's really something special.
 
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I_Try

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Just an update, in case it means anything to anybody later: JVC Accessory Store (jvcpartsstore.com) has still not yet fulfilled my order. I received confirmation, but nothing since. Still keeping my fingers that the parts still exist, but not counting on it.
The lamp in question, though, started working again, intermittently. I removed both lamps (they twist off the back of the LCD/Operation P.C. Board) and applied some DeoxIT D100L (the viscous, red stuff) to the contact points. Now, both lamps are working consistently.
I replaced the RW/FF belts and carefully cleaned off all of the residual belt goo from the mechanism. The speed is dead on and constant with the original capstan belts (I thoroughly cleaned them and the pulleys then used a test tape to confirm speed), but the auto stop was clicking, intermittently, during playback (on whatever deck wasn't in play mode). I regreased the autostop gears on both sides and haven't heard the click since (keeping fingers crossed on it'll stay quiet).
View attachment 62044
Hello,
I know nothing about boomboxes but have just acquired from my local Goodwill a JVC RC-X130. The CD function does not work but the radio and cassette are great!. This prompted me to join boomboxery. Here is a link to the first message I posted: https://www.boomboxery.com/forum/search/596628/.

As you seem to be an expert on these JVC boxes can you please advise me of how to get access to the CD drive. The only screws I see are 4 behind each speaker. Those do not seem to be what I need and in any case are not very easy to get a long screwdriver on.
I hear no sounds at all when I hit the Play button for the CD drive and the CD does not spin at all. So I am guessing that there is a problem with the motor(s) or their power supply. Am I on the right lines?
 
Hello,
I know nothing about boomboxes but have just acquired from my local Goodwill a JVC RC-X130. The CD function does not work but the radio and cassette are great!. This prompted me to join boomboxery. Here is a link to the first message I posted: https://www.boomboxery.com/forum/search/596628/.

As you seem to be an expert on these JVC boxes can you please advise me of how to get access to the CD drive. The only screws I see are 4 behind each speaker. Those do not seem to be what I need and in any case are not very easy to get a long screwdriver on.
I hear no sounds at all when I hit the Play button for the CD drive and the CD does not spin at all. So I am guessing that there is a problem with the motor(s) or their power supply. Am I on the right lines?
Greetings! So, I have never repaired this unit in particular, but I did some sleuthing to find a photo that showed the back of the unit. I realize that the photo cuts off the left side, but it sounds like you already found those two screws. When I'm looking at this one, based on the units I've repaired, I see 15 spots where there could be screws to get the case open. Use a flashlight, if you can, and check all of these indents for elusive screws. If that doesn't help, then open the cassette door, and see if there are any screws. There also may be one hiding in the CD section, if you open the door...but that probably won't help with the outer-case. I hope this helps! Let me know what you find, and we'll go from there!
rc-x310.jpg
 
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I_Try

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Well, firstly, thank you ever so much for your detailed reply. I have been unwell for the past few days and have not really been checking in to the Boomboxery website.
I just had another look at the recesses that you highlighted. I used my Magnalite LED flashlight to allow me to peer down the recesses or "wells". Again, I do not see likely candidates for gaining entry. (I know I MUST be missing something ). The four recesses each side behind the speakers have cross-head screws and perhaps they ARE the points of entry. However, I don't yet have the right size of screwdriver to give them a try. I will need a long driver with a narrow handle and the only one that I have right now that reaches the crews is not engaging properly with the screws and I am scared of damaging them. The two recesses you marked near the handle do not lead to screws. Of the five "lower" recesses four of them have metal features at the bottom that do not resemble screws, having neither "crosses" or "slots". The last recess DOES have a cross-head screw at the bottom but......a SINGLE screw....... There MUST be others somewhere that I am missing.
My plan at the moment is to order a Service Manual for the boom-box on a vendor site I found on ebay.
He or she is not available for a week or so so I shall order the Service Manual later. I shall also HAVE TO get a suitable screwdriver. Maybe the Manual will guide me to the right size.

Update: I forgot to add that when I select Cd as the function to use "Cd" is then shown on the CD LCD screen. When I insert a CD into the drive and close the lid the didplay does not change. This seems to me to signify that the box does not KNOW that I have closed the lid. To me that suggests a switch, possibly a leaf-switch (see, I am learning ), is not working correctly. It's just my ten-cent's worth.
 
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Superduper

Moderator
Staff member
Most JVC boomboxes of that era will have holes on the rear that are intended for disassembly of the cases, molded with a small arrow next to it. If any of those holes have that > arrow, it's almost certainly related to disassembly. A long shaft #2 phillips screwdriver is correct 99% of the time.
 
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I_Try

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Most JVC boomboxes of that era will have holes on the rear that are intended for disassembly of the cases, molded with a small arrow next to it. If any of those holes have that > arrow, it's almost certainly related to disassembly. A long shaft #2 phillips screwdriver is correct 99% of the time.
Thank you very much for your help. I shall purchase the #2 Phillips screwdriver, per your recommendation.
 
Well, firstly, thank you ever so much for your detailed reply. I have been unwell for the past few days and have not really been checking in to the Boomboxery website.
I just had another look at the recesses that you highlighted. I used my Magnalite LED flashlight to allow me to peer down the recesses or "wells". Again, I do not see likely candidates for gaining entry. (I know I MUST be missing something ). The four recesses each side behind the speakers have cross-head screws and perhaps they ARE the points of entry. However, I don't yet have the right size of screwdriver to give them a try. I will need a long driver with a narrow handle and the only one that I have right now that reaches the crews is not engaging properly with the screws and I am scared of damaging them. The two recesses you marked near the handle do not lead to screws. Of the five "lower" recesses four of them have metal features at the bottom that do not resemble screws, having neither "crosses" or "slots". The last recess DOES have a cross-head screw at the bottom but......a SINGLE screw....... There MUST be others somewhere that I am missing.
My plan at the moment is to order a Service Manual for the boom-box on a vendor site I found on ebay.
He or she is not available for a week or so so I shall order the Service Manual later. I shall also HAVE TO get a suitable screwdriver. Maybe the Manual will guide me to the right size.

Update: I forgot to add that when I select Cd as the function to use "Cd" is then shown on the CD LCD screen. When I insert a CD into the drive and close the lid the didplay does not change. This seems to me to signify that the box does not KNOW that I have closed the lid. To me that suggests a switch, possibly a leaf-switch (see, I am learning ), is not working correctly. It's just my ten-cent's worth.
Wonderful news! I figured you'd already searched for a service manual, but I did, too, and couldn't find any publicly available. I'm glad you were able to track one down. I would just sit tight until it arrives. JVC was kind with the dissembly instructions.

So, does the "CD" on the screen ever go away and show all zeros, by chance, if you close the lid with no CD inserted? If not, I'd clean the microswitch for the CD lid with deoxit, before trying anything else. You may be able to do that without tearing the unit down, but you'll likely need to dismantle it some to get in there.

Hope you're feeling better!
 
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I_Try

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Wonderful news! I figured you'd already searched for a service manual, but I did, too, and couldn't find any publicly available. I'm glad you were able to track one down. I would just sit tight until it arrives. JVC was kind with the dissembly instructions.

So, does the "CD" on the screen ever go away and show all zeros, by chance, if you close the lid with no CD inserted? If not, I'd clean the microswitch for the CD lid with deoxit, before trying anything else. You may be able to do that without tearing the unit down, but you'll likely need to dismantle it some to get in there.

Hope you're feeling better!
Great to hear from you again, and thanks for your support! I AM feeling a bit better now but still not overdoing things.
To answer your question, no the "Cd" on the display is constant and unchanging. So I shall have to figure out how to get to the micro-switch. There is nothing immediately visible. What I HAVE done today is ordered on ebay an 8" long Phillips #2 screwdriver, as recommended by the Moderator, Superduper. I also confirmed what he suspected, that the eight holes in the back of the unit that you showed me earlier, circled in red, (4 for each speaker) ARE intended for doing disassembly. Each hole has the -> symbol by it, as described by Superduper.
So my plan at the moment is to wait for the screwdriver to arrive and then summon up the courage to try to open up the box.
Is there a brand name for deoxit? It would be great if a simple cleaning of the switch fixed the issue. I simply love the aesthetics of this JVC boom-box. I am in my eighties and never had one, or even WANTED one, when I was younger.