Cassette playerdrags and slows down,

[Reuben P.]

('82 CE w/ AM/FM cassette): Is there some way to adjust it or does it need to be sent for repair? All functions work, just slows down.

[Jim T.]

Re: Cassette playerdrags and slows down,

Have you tried a cassette tape that cleans the cassette player?

[Joe L.]

Re: Cassette playerdrags and slows down,

('82 CE w/ AM/FM cassette): Is there some way to adjust it or does it need to be sent for repair? All functions work, just slows down.

Reuben------


You should do as Jim suggests first. However, I strongly suspect that your radio needs to be serviced. The belts used in the tape transport mechanism of cassettes are very thin. Over time, they wear and stretch. If your radio has never been serviced I'm amazed the belts have lasted as long as they have. Over 30 years is a VERY long time for these belts.

[Reuben P.]

Re: Cassette playerdrags and slows down,

It was serviced 3 years ago, all worked fine until this summer, yes, Ive run a cleaner through, and cycled the tapes through a known good player,(Not a car player) all tapes worked fine. It is a PITA to pull the radio : ), but that is the way I believe I am heading. Dr Don is a classic radio repair/restoration service fairly close, within a 100 miles.

[Edward J.]

Re: Cassette playerdrags and slows down,

Reubin, if you take the radio out and remove some of the panels, It maybe it may just need some light oil like 3n1 on the moving parts??

[Robert B.]

Re: Cassette playerdrags and slows down,

Do not oil any parts in that mechanism yourself. I have seen too many turntables and cassette decks ruined this way. I know, I ruined some of them.

[Rich C.]

Re: Cassette playerdrags and slows down,

Not to mention ruin your cassettes! As stated, the rubber belts stretch!


1973 LS-4 454 coupe owned 24 years (7 of those with a respectable front bumper)
1996 LT-4 Collector Edition coupe owned 13 months
Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA-currently on tap!

[Jim M.]

Re: Cassette playerdrags and slows down,

I also own a 1982 Collector Edition. I am also a former Ford and Delco radio tech. These cars, and their radios are 35 years old. Just like the car parts, the radio parts wear out too. My first bet would be the old rubber belt is so stretched, it's almost ready to fall off! I've rebuilt my own radio last year and I stock 3-4 "spares" so I always have a working one on the shelf. Delco had two suppliers making tape decks in this era, the Panasonic was the better of the two. A new belt and a good cleaning and lube the capstan bearings should take care of it.

[Reuben P.]

Re: Cassette playerdrags and slows down,

Is this a process i can do or do I need to send it off? My next Question, is where can I get the belts?
Thanks, Butch