Sony TC-KA6ES transport woes. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Michael Maurice · 8th Apr 2023, 11:23 pm

I am trying to repair this machine, I've replaced both belts. The problem is that when you play is selected, at first the tape heads dont fully move up to the tape, I then found that after a while I could get the heads to move up to the tape but the take up spool doesn't rotate.

I've tried cleaning the mode switch ( without dismantling it) by spraying switch cleaner in it but it hasn't cured it.

I've tried it with an empty cassette shell but again the take up spool doesn't rotate.

If the fault is the switch, where can I obtain one?

paulsherwin · 9th Apr 2023, 9:20 am

I don't know this deck at all well, but does it have mechanical 'soft touch' controls rather than electronic ones controlling solenoids? Such mechs are prone to jamming and erratic operation as the lubrication dries out, particularly if used in a dusty environment. The only real solution is to dismantle, clean, relube and reassemble the mech, which is a pig of a job as there will be many small parts and springs.

Michael Maurice · 9th Apr 2023, 12:32 pm

It does have touch controls, I don’t think its mechanical.

Red to black · 9th Apr 2023, 1:43 pm

It is electronically controlled, it uses 3 separate chains of resistors to sense which key has been pressed, although that doesn't really help you with your current problem.

This is a complicated machine with separate servo control for both the capstan and loading motors as well as electronic torque control for the reel drive motor.

The 12.4 volt line is common to both the loading and reel drive systems, the Capstan Servo/drive has its own 9.6v rail.

8th Apr 2023, 11:23 pm	#1
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,224	Sony TC-KA6ES transport woes. I am trying to repair this machine, I've replaced both belts. The problem is that when you play is selected, at first the tape heads dont fully move up to the tape, I then found that after a while I could get the heads to move up to the tape but the take up spool doesn't rotate. I've tried cleaning the mode switch ( without dismantling it) by spraying switch cleaner in it but it hasn't cured it. I've tried it with an empty cassette shell but again the take up spool doesn't rotate. If the fault is the switch, where can I obtain one? __________________ Forum Moderator http://www.michaelmauricerepairs.co.uk/

9th Apr 2023, 9:20 am	#2
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,944	Re: Sony TC-KA6ES transport woes. I don't know this deck at all well, but does it have mechanical 'soft touch' controls rather than electronic ones controlling solenoids? Such mechs are prone to jamming and erratic operation as the lubrication dries out, particularly if used in a dusty environment. The only real solution is to dismantle, clean, relube and reassemble the mech, which is a pig of a job as there will be many small parts and springs.

9th Apr 2023, 12:32 pm	#3
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,224	Re: Sony TC-KA6ES transport woes. It does have touch controls, I don’t think its mechanical. __________________ Forum Moderator http://www.michaelmauricerepairs.co.uk/

9th Apr 2023, 1:43 pm	#4
Red to black Nonode Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 2,475	Re: Sony TC-KA6ES transport woes. It is electronically controlled, it uses 3 separate chains of resistors to sense which key has been pressed, although that doesn't really help you with your current problem. This is a complicated machine with separate servo control for both the capstan and loading motors as well as electronic torque control for the reel drive motor. The 12.4 volt line is common to both the loading and reel drive systems, the Capstan Servo/drive has its own 9.6v rail. __________________ I don't suffer from Insanity. I enjoy every minute of it.