Marantz SD25 stereo cassette player. Play button won't press down. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

ryanbrownin · 11th Sep 2015, 4:40 pm

I have a Marantz SD25 stereo cassette player and the play button on the machine will not press down to play the tapes, the pause light is constantly on this might have something to do with it not working.

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Station X · 11th Sep 2015, 4:57 pm

Are you saying that the play button is locked/stuck so it cannot be pressed? If so it could be a problem with mechanical interlocking between the buttons.

Is it possible that the electrical contacts associated with the pause control are permanently operated even though the pause control hasn't been pressed?

paulsherwin · 11th Sep 2015, 5:15 pm

These mechanical soft touch designs are very prone to jamming as the lubrication dries up. You can probably fix the immediate problem by rotating the capstan flywheel by hand until the mech completes whatever it is it's trying to do. It's extremely likely to jam again though. These mechs are a pig to relubricate properly.

ryanbrownin · 11th Sep 2015, 5:16 pm

I've just realised that all the buttons are stuck except the rewind button and the the pause button presses down very easily but springs straight back up and doesn't do anything.

Nickthedentist · 11th Sep 2015, 6:23 pm

Do what Paul says.

In addition to dried-up grease, the main belt will probably be slack and need replacing.

N.

paulsherwin · 11th Sep 2015, 7:19 pm

If you are very lucky, the problem will just be a tired belt, and a new one may sort things out, at least in the short term. Usually these symptoms are a combination of a bad belt and poor lubrication.

Any deck of this era with the original capstan belt is living on borrowed time, though many belts have been changed by now.

ryanbrownin · 11th Sep 2015, 9:37 pm

Ok Paul I'll try your idea, I don't think this stereo has ever been repaired so I imagine it'll be the same capstan belt. Thank you very much for your suggestions.

11th Sep 2015, 4:40 pm	#1
ryanbrownin Pentode Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 133	Marantz SD25 stereo cassette player. Play button won't press down. I have a Marantz SD25 stereo cassette player and the play button on the machine will not press down to play the tapes, the pause light is constantly on this might have something to do with it not working.

11th Sep 2015, 4:57 pm	#2
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 20,653	Re: Marantz SD25 stereo cassette player. Play button won't press down. Are you saying that the play button is locked/stuck so it cannot be pressed? If so it could be a problem with mechanical interlocking between the buttons. Is it possible that the electrical contacts associated with the pause control are permanently operated even though the pause control hasn't been pressed? __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

11th Sep 2015, 5:15 pm	#3
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,152	Re: Marantz SD25 stereo cassette player. Play button won't press down. These mechanical soft touch designs are very prone to jamming as the lubrication dries up. You can probably fix the immediate problem by rotating the capstan flywheel by hand until the mech completes whatever it is it's trying to do. It's extremely likely to jam again though. These mechs are a pig to relubricate properly.

11th Sep 2015, 5:16 pm	#4
ryanbrownin Pentode Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 133	Re: Marantz SD25 stereo cassette player. Play button won't press down. I've just realised that all the buttons are stuck except the rewind button and the the pause button presses down very easily but springs straight back up and doesn't do anything.

11th Sep 2015, 6:23 pm	#5
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,567	Re: Marantz SD25 stereo cassette player. Play button won't press down. Do what Paul says. In addition to dried-up grease, the main belt will probably be slack and need replacing. N.

11th Sep 2015, 7:19 pm	#6
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,152	Re: Marantz SD25 stereo cassette player. Play button won't press down. If you are very lucky, the problem will just be a tired belt, and a new one may sort things out, at least in the short term. Usually these symptoms are a combination of a bad belt and poor lubrication. Any deck of this era with the original capstan belt is living on borrowed time, though many belts have been changed by now.

11th Sep 2015, 9:37 pm	#7
ryanbrownin Pentode Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 133	Re: Marantz SD25 stereo cassette player. Play button won't press down. Ok Paul I'll try your idea, I don't think this stereo has ever been repaired so I imagine it'll be the same capstan belt. Thank you very much for your suggestions.