Diagnosis/guidance on fixing my TRK-8190?

[TheDood723]

Hey guys, my Hitachi TRK-8190HC has a couple issues.... Firstly, no matter if it's on batteries or plugged in, radio fades to silence, leds flicker, tuner lights get dim or go out... also, it randomly pops from the speakers after a few seconds... whether this is on tape or radio I can't remember, honestly I believe it's both... I have yet to try deoxing as I haven't gotten any yet, I've heard about that possible solution fromy other posts about this model, and Teddy Hashee on YouTube, but what else could it be, if deoxing all connections and switches doesn't work? Thank you again in advance

Also the black antenna wire is loose, I'd where that goes... and one rubber encased metal rod thing is disconnected from wherever it goes... pics attached, and more to come when I put it back together and power it on to show the leds acting up and the lights going out... *any* help and guidance is very, very appreciated as I'd like to mechanically and cosmetically restore this, it's my favorite one in my collevtion...

The rod thing I mentioned


Where it's attached to the metal case around the transformer thing (if that's the thing, sorry but I'm new to this)


A few pics of the board beside the metal case. Is this where the metal rod goes, somewhere here or?.. anyone know where?

 

[jimmyjimmy19702010]

Sounds like a power issue to either the amp and or tuner boards. I wouldn’t spend too much time worrying about the issues until you have cleaned the record bar and all other switches, pots etc.

 

[TheDood723]

Only two places I can see where the black antenna wire could attach, but... something tells me those aren't it
By the other antenna wire?


Or this little bent pin... if you can see it


Alrighty, I will do that and get back to you. Thank you, and I was just wondering what other things it could be besides the cinfections being dirty, as a "just in case" so I know

(BTW sorry for the newbie question but what exactly are pots?)

 

[Ferguson3T18]

Sounds like a power issue to either the amp and or tuner boards. I wouldn’t spend too much time worrying about the issues until you have cleaned the record bar and all other switches, pots etc.

Bad capacitor on the power supply board???

 

[Northerner]

Yeh you’d be amazed what issues contact cleaner will resolve...stands to reason really, a bad contact will really mess with the circuits. Do that first then see what the situation is. As for the unconnected wire we just need someone to open theirs up to look. I happen to have one awaiting refurb so could have a look. I’m away from home at the moment sunning myself on a beach but will be back early next week and could do it then if the answer isn’t found beforehand

Oh and a pot is the volume/bass/treble controls...the workings not the knob part

 

[TheDood723]

Ohhh okay thanks Northerner 😂 ive wondered that for a while now. And okay, I definitely look forward to that when you get back (its a good thing I like cold/snow, or I'd be jealous 😂)

 

[TheDood723]

Got some cleaner, quick question... What is a record bar? The six-seven buttons/switches? (Play, record, etc.) 😂

 

[jimmyjimmy19702010]

Got some cleaner, quick question... What is a record bar? The six-seven buttons/switches? (Play, record, etc.)

It’s a long, sliding switch - it’s often situated on the main board. It is activated by the record mechanism of the deck.
It’s in the middle of one of your pics:

Spray some cleaner down each end of the switch and then slide the mechanism as many times as you like to clean the contacts.

 

[TheDood723]

Oh okay, thanks Jimmy, I'll do that ☺. Gonna take pics or a video to post and record the operation/faults of it on tape and radio when I get around to tearing it down.. again 😂 I don't like to leave my boxes apart between tinkering