casette player doesn't play

[Badsearcher]

Hello, I have a cassette deck* and I have to ask, what are the usual suspects for when I hit the play button, I hear what sounds like the dc motors running, but the gears connected to the tape cassette don't turn?

Also, when I manually try turning the gears, the gears seem to move freely and with no real resistance, are they supposed to be able to moved so freely?

*Sony Duel Tape Deck TC W380 | eBay

 

[picowallspeaker]

Usually the gum gets loose and has no grip on the wheels.

 

[Badsearcher]

The gum?

I'm a total cassette newb and can't tell if you're pulling my leg.

 

[sofaspud]

If it has belts they're probably bad.
The tape spindles will have some sort of clutch mechanism, so it isn't too unusual that they turn easily with the machine off.

 

[Badsearcher]

Hmm, it would make sense, the belts probably decayed. The cassette deck is part of a hi-fi tower that I am nursing back to health after it's been in storage for 11 years.

Any recommendations on where I can buy new belts? Are cassette builts built according to a standard?

 

[sofaspud]

Are cassette builts built according to a standard?

AFAIK, no more or no less than turntables.

Any recommendations on where I can buy new belts?

Belts are so... analog. It's been awhile since I've purchased any. There is/was a company named PRB (?) that specialized in them. But these days, I'm confident a web search will turn up sellers.
The biggest problem is determining what you need without specs for the old one. If you can't find specs online, you'll need to open up the deck and remove the old one. Then you'll need to measure it for diameter, width, flat or round or square, etc. Then find an equivalent in the catalog.

 

[Badsearcher]

Sounds like a plan, thank you!

 

[Stuey]

Probably just buy a set of universal belts...pretty cheap

 

[KatieandDad]

Don't forget that there may well be other rubbers in there which may not be so easy to repair, idler wheels and clutches for example.