Sanyo m-x960k cassette deck volume issue

[Jboulukos]

My volume is fine for radio and line-in/phono functions however I have very faint volume from only 1 channel during tape playback. At first I thought it might be the cassette head however now I’m thinking it’s not. I was able to get a slight increase in volume and the other channel working when I turned the function knob slightly clockwise towards the radio selection between radio and tape (as shown in last photo). I have already sprayed the pot for the function selector. I sprayed it a bunch and turned the dial clockwise and counterclockwise. I completed spray the record bar and moved it back and forth, completing both staying and moving in many occasions. This didn’t seem to help anything. Do you think I may need to resolder some connection between the function switch and the tape volume? Also, I the little lights next to the play and pause button aren’t functioning neither is the VU meter during tape playback. Is there any info that would help me get the volume/speakers working during tape playback?

 

[hopey]

It Could be the function switch, the Record Bar or the Cable from the head to the PCB.

Try press Play/Record a number of times
Try wiggling the audio cable

 

[Jboulukos]

It Could be the function switch, the Record Bar or the Cable from the head to the PCB.

Try press Play/Record a number of times
Try wiggling the audio cable

I placed a recordable cassette inside and pressed record and play. Things learned: the record ligh next to the record button worked, the play light doesn’t work. The record is not functioning since the spindles did not turn. The cassette is currently stuck now. I know the record function was missing a spring. But now the door won’t eject since the tape is stuck, and something inside associated with the recording function is not releasing the tape. Previously, the eject was working great having fixed it. Not sure where to go from here. I feel I need to open the box in order to get the cassette out now.

 

[docs]

Heads are up, probably as a result of bad belts.

 

[floyd]

I would try manually spinning the flywheels on the deck this should make the head drop down and allow the inner lock on the door to release
. As I said before when the belts go bad these decks lock out where you can't even open the door.

 

[floyd]

Also the only thing worse than loose belts is belts that are too tight because they will just overwork everything in the tech deck.

 

[Jboulukos]

Heads are up, probably as a result of bad belts.

Belts were recently changed in the past 6 weeks.

 

[Jboulukos]

It Could be the function switch, the Record Bar or the Cable from the head to the PCB.

Try press Play/Record a number of times
Try wiggling the audio cable

I opened the back panel, manually turned the free wheel to release the cassette. The record button seems to work better now that I pressed it a few times. Although it won’t release and this is probably due to the missing spring on the record switch on the face of the deck. So I have to manually push the record bar back to disengage the record function. So I know I need a spring if I want to use/fix the record function.
so I wiggled the wires coming from the head to the circuit board and no changes. I then sprayed the function bar again and no changes. Still have a significantly low volume/faintly heard during 10/10 full volume selected using cassette playback. Last fix I made was the speakers working following cleaning and loosening the large headphone Jack by pushing the headphone plug in and out. That fixed the speakers for radio and line-in/phono functions. The tape volume was faint before that and no change after that fix. The only thing that slightly raises the volume is when I turn the function dial slightly towards “radio” when it’s in the tape selection. As well as the loud static noise heard when record is selected (due to having volume turned up to 100% to hear it when it’s playing). I think it might be the function selection but who knows. After fixing the speakers via the headphone Jack, I know it can be anything now.
Update 20 minutes later: Sprayed record bar more, I’d say I’ve used about 40% of the can on it. Moved it back and forth. Now “stop” disengages the record button. Seems like volume is slightly better but still significantly faint with full volume selected.

 

[Jboulukos]

It Could be the function switch, the Record Bar or the Cable from the head to the PCB.

Try press Play/Record a number of times
Try wiggling the audio cable

I feel it’s the function switch. It has a weird, more indistinct click from “radio” to “tape” that seems different than when I click from “radio” to “line-in/phono.”
I’ve sprayed it and sprayed it, moved it and moved it. Anything else I can look at or do?

 

[hopey]

I feel it’s the function switch. It has a weird, more indistinct click from “radio” to “tape” that seems different than when I click from “radio” to “line-in/phono.”
I’ve sprayed it and sprayed it, moved it and moved it. Anything else I can look at or do?

Only pull it down clean the tiny internal contacts and reassemble.

 

[Jboulukos]

Only pull it down clean the tiny internal contacts and reassemble.

How? How do I open the metal function rectangular box on the inside? Thank you.

 

[hopey]

How? How do I open the metal function rectangular box on the inside? Thank you.

Post a picture you may have to remove from the PCB

 

[Jboulukos]

Post a picture you may have to remove from the PCB

i removed the 2 front screws but was unable to get it off.

So I spray a silicone lubricant only inside the top hole and only a little amount. That freed it up and now the function selection “clicks” normally when the dial is moved from radio to tape. This however did nothing to change the issue with the significantly low volume.
i looked at the bottom of the circuit board under the function switch and it has many solder points.

I really wouldn’t know where to start. It’s a shame I can’t get the tape volume squared away. I thought it was a bad head but after hearing the volume increase slightly with the function dial between radio and tape, I don’t believe it’s the head. If the function bar is manually moved or the record pressed, there is a loud brief noise since volume is turned up to 10.
This unit has come a long way though. I fixed all the functions of the cassette including the eject button, changed the belts, even Record works now and without a spring. I’m also happy the speed can be manually adjusted from the back of the motor. My last Sanyo was so messed with. This cassette player runs so smoothly. Wish I could get that volume sorted though.

 

[hopey]

Is it that long silver one? You will have to remove from the PCB I use solder remover wick. Once removed there are metal tabs that can be bent to release the metal cover gaining access to the tiny slide contacts. Clean up with fine wet and dry sand paper including the inside of the contacts. Then use silicone grease to protect the contacts. Then reassemble exactly as found.

The hardest part it removing from the PCB, I have done this many times and is very rewarding although not on this box.

 

[Jboulukos]

Is it that long silver one? You will have to remove from the PCB I use solder remover wick. Once removed there are metal tabs that can be bent to release the metal cover gaining access to the tiny slide contacts. Clean up with fine wet and dry sand paper including the inside of the contacts. Then use silicone grease to protect the contacts. Then reassemble exactly as found.

The hardest part it removing from the PCB, I have done this many times and is very rewarding although not on this box.

Great info. I have wick and I can buy a better than basic soldering iron. My main question would be why is the tape volume low and not the radio or the line-in? The contacts on the function switch associated with the tape function are dirty? I can try it but I want more info. Is this a common issue with the tape function becoming dirty? Is it definitely the correct fix? Thank you

 

[hopey]

Great info. I have wick and I can buy a better than basic soldering iron. My main question would be why is the tape volume low and not the radio or the line-in? The contacts on the function switch associated with the tape function are dirty? I can try it but I want more info. Is this a common issue with the tape function becoming dirty? Is it definitely the correct fix? Thank you

There is no guarantee this will fix your problem but will at least for the process of elimination. If the previous owner was using Line in for an extended period of time that would mean the contacts for tape were open and could have corroded.

 

[Jboulukos]

T

There is no guarantee this will fix your problem but will at least for the process of elimination. If the previous owner was using Line in for an extended period of time that would mean the contacts for tape were open and could have corroded.

that certainly makes sense. I think they were using radio or line-in since the eject button was broken, the cassette door was not opening and the buttons of the take player were not working. I bet that the tape function had not been used for 2-3 decades. And after opening it up, I didn’t see many signs of attempts to fix it which is good.

 

[caution]

The record/play switch ("record bar") is in the audio path and is often a culprit for audio quality issues.
They have the most pins of any switch in a boombox, and so they take the most effort to take off the board, which you usually have to do in order to access the tabs underneath it that holds it together to take it all the way apart for a deep clean.
Spraying it can work for a while, sometimes a really long time, but many of these record bars use a long plastic cap to hold the contacts in place, and doesn't lend itself to allowing contact cleaner inside. In the end though, contact cleaner is only a stopgap measure on many of these after they get carbonized. Scroll through the pics on this post and this post to see some switch cleaning I did a few years ago.
It's a worthwhile endeavor if you have the patience!