Panasonic RX-5050 record lever spring/record engage issue.

[Jflo82]

Hey all,

I am fixing up a, RX-5050. I have the mechanism working accept the record function.

Issue 1: When the cassette mech is out there is a chunky white lever that when engaged pushes the record switch up on the board. I am missing the spring that connects to this. Does anyone know what size spring is needed? Also, not sure if I am missing anything else with this set up.

Issues 2: on the mech itself, when I press the record button it does not engage unless I pull up the black lever on the top of the mechanism (straight up from the record button). Once I do the the button will go in and the mechanism behind will engage with the black lever and stay like this until I press stop. Not sure what the issue is.

Also, what pushes the white lever to then push the record switch on the board?

If anyone has any thoughts Id be greatly appreciated.

 

[Superduper]

The record/playback switch usually has its own internal spring. Most levers just depresses the switch in one direction, it bounces back to neutral by itself. Also to protect pre recorded cassette tapes from being accidentally recorded over or wiped, there is usually a plastic lever, pin or other detector to see if those tabs on the cassette is present (allows recording) or punched out (no recording). Maybe that’s what you are observing if you’re trying to depress record either 1. without a tape present it 2. trying to depress record with a tape present whose tab is missing or punched out.

 

[Jflo82]

Yes I was pressing record without a tape in (duh me). So I see with a blank tape in it engages to lever at the top of my mechanism so the record button can be fully depressed.

I still don’t see what engages the white lever to engage the record switch.

 

[Jflo82]

Record side of mech.

 

[Tinman]

I've never had one of these but if that metal bar on the back moves, could the plastic piece of the lever sit in the notch?
I'm curious if that hook on the bottom of the plastic lever does anything.
I'd install the cassette player and look at the REC mechanism while it's working.
When you install the cassette player, make sure the plastic lever is making contact with the black record bar slider.
If you don't, it might not engage where it's supposed to.
It's possible that over the years, someone lost a connecting arm too.

 

[Jflo82]

I've never had one of these but if that metal bar on the back moves, could the plastic piece of the lever sit in the notch?
I'm curious if that hook on the bottom of the plastic lever does anything.
I'd install the cassette player and look at the REC mechanism while it's working.
When you install the cassette player, make sure the plastic lever is making contact with the black record bar slider.
If you don't, it might not engage where it's supposed to.
It's possible that over the years, someone lost a connecting arm too.

That metal bar does move back and forth. I thought it maybe pushed the white lever but it sits higher when the mech is installed. I tried looking at the service manual to see if I was missing a piece. I know I am missing a spring which does attach to the hook on the white lever but the manual has it attaching to a post to the left of it.
I was hoping to find someone with a working box that would be so kind as to take it apart and look, or just knew.

 

[caution]

It looks like the post sticking up on the white part gets pushed by the cassette mech when record is pressed.
Take a look at this video - it shows the mech in place with the post sitting near the mech.
Check what moves when you press record and figure out how that movement interacts with the white piece.

 

[Tinman]

Makes sense, the spring would hold that lever against the record slider so things would line up when assembling.
It doesn't look like there are any extra linkage pieces in the video but it's not too clear.
It looks like it's sitting beside the moving metal bar with the notch.
What's that small metal hook on the cassette mech do?
It looks like a place for a spring but it could have something to do with engaging record if it moves upwards.
Again, you could be missing a piece or pieces.

 

[Jflo82]

Got it! Without the spring, the white lever was not sitting properly. If I manually put it in its right place it will engage the record switch. Just need to find a spring.
Thanks to all who chimed in and helped.

Now I just need to figure out why it won’t fastforward. Lol