Fixing Audio Cassette tape player

[peterlo]

Hi,
I'm new here & hope this is the right spot to ask.
My Rotel deck will not play cassettes.
A quick "top off look" showes the primary drive belt caught up but when freed still no action. The belt now drives the first pulley which seems to be sitting in an idle position requiring a movement to the left or right in order to engage the next drive stage.
I can't see much without further dis-assembly which is a daunting task bearing in mind the number of screws, springs, levers & what have you.
There is no great value here, I normally get a kick out of fixing things but wonder if this is too specialised.
Guidance would be appreciated, even if the advice is trash it!

Rgds,
Pete

[AMV8]

Hi
I am not familiar with your type of cassette deck. However I have built and repaired a few decks.

It is worth having a quick look to try and find the fault. However decks are complex and the fault may be difficult to locate.

I would think it expensive to have it repaired at a shop.

You might try and find a second hand deck for less than the repair price. If you go the second hand route I would try a Nakamichi DR2 or CR3 (US$100 ) or if you want to spend more the CR4, CR5 or CR7. I think you will any of these provide a much better sound than your present deck. Nakamichi are good decks - just check that the motor is not worn and that it pulls and rewinds a full tape properly.

Don

[gmphadte]

a picture might be handy if it is simple problem

[peterlo]

Thanks for the comment.
I realise I provided little for you to work with by way of help.
It is a front loading deck operated by a series of piano type/buttons.
Cannot see much so a pic is not possible unless to show the vintage.
A I mentioned it is more a matter of pride to be able to fix something like this if indeed it's reasonable to suppose that is possible with relatively no experience of equipment such as this.
I half hoped I would find a broken or badly worn primary drive belt which would have been an easy fix.
It certainly looks pretty complicated & I can see myself loosing my way amongst the maze & collection of bits.
It makes my most recent "fix" - changing the drawer drive pinion on a Marantz CD player look "simple".
I may just give it a go & junk the result if I get overwhelmed.
Pete.

[gmphadte]

Yes proceed.

These type of mechanisms have solenoids to put them into the situation the user selects like play, rew, etc.
If u turn the motor in the correct direction after removing the back plate, if any, activate one of the solenoids(sometimes the only one), still turning, then the mechanism will engage into one of the situation.

Ohhhh, it is too much by way of assembling the words. Just try your patience and ....
who knows u may succeed.

Gajanan Phadte