Commodore Tape Deck Probs (C2N)

[RygarR]

A couple of months ago, I picked up a C2N unit off Ebay for my C64. It was in good condition, relatively cheap, and even came with a tape. On unpacking, I plugged it in, typed Load"", and 5 mins later... Voila! I was playing Bubble Bobble.

Fast-forward to now: I've been busy and away for a bit and haven't used the C2N for a month or so. Tonight, however, on putting a tape in, it started making a strange chugging sound - as if something is permenantly on and spinning round. It still rewinds as it should, but doesn't seem to load anymore. I'm thinking something must have failed, but have no idea what! Any hints or suggestions appreciated!

 

[FinalFight]

Have you tried cleaning the heads and the little wheel with cotton bud and meths?FinalFight2021-08-10 20:28:16

 

[RygarR]

Have you tried cleaning the heads and the little wheel with cotton bud and meths?

I might as well, but I'm pretty sure that's not what's causing the constant chugging / grinding noise. It's not a noise that the tape deck normally makes when you press play :-(

 

[RygarR]

Tape heads now clean as a (n appropriately gently and chemically swabbed) whistle.

But it's still grinding.

 

[FinalFight]

Might be worth opening it up check belts havent snapped? Unless somethings just stuck

 

[RygarR]

Might be worth opening it up check belts havent snapped? Unless somethings just stuck

Good idea Mr Fight. I'll have a look and see what's what.

 

[Bods]

There isnt much to them so cant be much, belts can get loose and work but slip

 

[paulcan69]

Or motor is weak i guess
As said can’t be much more?

 

[RygarR]

Thanks Guys.

I've had the back off and twanged the bands. They feel a bit loose (maybe), but otherwise OK. Will investigate further tomorrow afternoon.

 

[Bods]

Some of the old stereos i fix sometimes have parts that come loose and rub on the capstan flywheel

Cant remember what faults ive had on these decks, not many probably, really should log everything i work on these days as i cant remember stuff like i used to

Some tape decks the motor run constant so capstan turning, cant remember if these do, plug in with case of and see if its turning and if you can hear noise coming from that

 

[RygarR]

I've had another look at the tape deck in the daylight.

What happens is this:

Insert tape - fine

Type Load"" then press RTN - fine

Press play on tape - the two pulleys turn as they should, but the capstan makes a horrible chugging sound.

Press stop on tape - the two pulleys stop, but the capstan keeps spinning and making a racket until you hit RUNSTOP.

I'll need to pull it to bits again later to see if nything is physically rubbing, but any ideas of what to look out for in the meantime?

Cheers

 

[RygarR]

Morning Chaps,

I've now received and fitted a new drive belt. The problem is still there. Sounds like a motor grinding. Anyone know if replacements can be had easily / cheaply?

Or is it time for my poor old C2N to head off to that great retro-gaming table in the sky?

 

[Bods]

I wouldn't of thought motor, try taking off the belt and see, if noise then with only motor turning then yeah, with belt off try spinning capstan flywheel too see if you hear noise

wish I had more time to do stuff, could of took one apart

Have you googled faults with them also, sometimes others may have had same issue, can save a lot of time

 

[tin]

Mine had (what I'm guessing is...) the same problem.

The prob was the flywheel had slipped down the capstan a little bit and was rubbing on the metal bracket underneath it (as when the deck is the right way up).

I took it to bits (AFAIR just two screws to take the bracket off and the capstan/flywheel just pulls out of the rest of the mech), slid the flywheel a little bit back along the capstan, superglued it in place, and reassembled. Now it's the finest C2N I ever did have, even loading a tape I'd marked as bad BITD.

No idea if superglue is a wise or sh*t choice, and also what originally held the flywheel in the right position.

HTH.

 

[RygarR]

Worth a shot, Tin. Ill check it out and see. I've spent some time trawling the net for other solutions and that seems about the most plausible. Cheers.

 

[tin]

ooo meant to say about the chugging when no buttons are pressed, the decision to run the motor or not is entirely down to the '64.

I think if you make it load, then press play, it runs the motor until it's told to stop, regardless of what you press on the deck itself.

I also noted with my '64, if I use a chameleon cart, the deck motor just runs all the time.

I'm super-confident your prob is the capstan flywheel as I described.

The description of the noise is the thing that sez it's that to me. I'd photo mine but it went back into storage a few days ago.

 

[Bods]

Certainly sounds like its its something rubbing to me and that would explain it, guess they are just a tight fit when new and pressed on

Superglue sounds fine, long as its held in place again. When you take capstan all the way out they often have little washer, just check incase it falls off if there is one as some get stuck on the bearing side

 

[RygarR]

Well, as Tin suggested, it turns out the capstan flywheel was rubbing on the metal plate that holds it on place. I thought I'd fixed it by pulling the capstan mechanism to bits and putting it back together. The noise certainly went away. However, when I turned the whole thing the right way round again, the noise came back. Dog! Better get me some superglue.

 

[tin]

I'll name that c2n fault in one

tin2021-08-21 23:40:32