How to get inside a TDK boombox!

[riker1068]

The usb has to be updated with software, But overall it will still cut out from time to time. When I use the line in. All is well, and who really needs to use the usb any ways. Sure its nice, but you can get by without. The sound is superb, but it just comes up a little short on volume. It's loud! But for the coin, i'd expect more from it. I wonder if the speakers would fit into a 777 0r 1000 :frankenstein:

 

[caution]

Does the stereo quality take a hit with having the speakers so close together?

 

[blu_fuz]

I dont use my usb jacks at all just because i dont want to chance having it lock up and stop working like a lot of other members. Line in mini jack or rca jacks only for me.

 

[Martin123]

Is there a big difference from the 2 speaker and the 2 speaker A73?

 

[blu_fuz]

Yes, very different setup. Someone else will have to explain how to open one of those.

 

[sbb2112]

I know this is pretty old but maybe someone might see this. I have the 2 speaker tdk box and it seems to have developed volume control issues. It turns on and off and volume is able to be turned up and down but every few minutes it will get really loud for a second or two and go back to normal. It happens when connected via usb and also on fm. I havent tried the line in or the rca but I suspect it is the volume control circuit. If anyone has a similar experience and has fixed it (it sounds similar to the OP), what was done and where were the parts sourced? Thanks in advance. Also, as with other sites I am on, the photobucket pics. are broken.

 

[jimmyjimmy19702010]

The TDK BT speakers have proprietary volume controls that aren't available as 'parts' from TDK. You may have to find a junker box for parts.

 

[blu_fuz]

All TDK boxes need to be fixed with good parts from a donor box. Best chance is to buy a smashed one on ebay and hope the parts you need are good. You could wire a separate switch for on/off and a normal volume potentiometer. It won't really fit nice to the existing holes in the TDK, but it could get it working again.

Sorry for the broken pic links, photobucket wants to charge me to upgrade my account. I think I still have the pictures somewhere......

 

[sbb2112]

Thanks for the photos. This is way cool info. I really like the box and am going to spend the time to repair it. Looked on ebay and only see one unit and it is a working one and $$. Maybe I will get lucky and there is just some crap inside the wiper that I can clean out.

 

[blu_fuz]

The volume pots on the TDK are tricky to deal with.....

good luck.

 

[BoomboxLover48]

It is better to buy a Samsonite Fiberglass luggage box and put those components and speakers there. Opening becomes so easy! Can put a battery pack, and all goodies in it.

It will transform to an AIWA wheelie! Spins too!

 

[sbb2112]

Update, sorry about the hijack of the thread, the box came apart just as the photos showed. I bent the tabs back on the pot and desoldered the 3 pins to remove the guts. I think things were just a little covered with gunk and I took a strip of paper and placed under the wiper fingers and turned the shaft back and forth and repeated holding the paper so it moved with the finger to clean off the board traces. The paper was black both times. Put a meter on the pins both ways and didn't see any big swings so back together it went. The tabs that held down the shaft flange were a little loose when I disassembled, so I made sure they were down tight. The knob play went away and so did the volume problem. Not sure I'd tear apart again but I really like the box and it catches everybody's eye setting on the desk. Lots of comments. Was glad to plug in the new walkman to it instead of the computer speakers I was forced to listen to while she was down. A big hats off for the help on this everyone!

Steve

 

[blu_fuz]

Super glad to hear!

 

[jimtran93]

As a lot of you know I recently purchased a TDK 2 speaker boombox that had a wonky volume knob. The pot itself was wiggly and the switched "on/off" part of the knob didn't work so I had to unplug the box everytime I stopped using it. I purchased a replacement volume pot/circuit from someone on ebay to swap out with my broken one thinking it wouldn't be too hard .


So, not knowing how to open the boombox, I asked the ebay seller that I got my parts from . If it wasnt for him, there is no way I would have got into it. He gave me some great tips.

These steps are for OPENING THE BOOMBOX COMPLETELY! If you need to remove just the speakers, follow steps 6 & 7

1. remove handle allen bolts
2. remove strap bracket allen bolts
3. remove side plastic trim that curves around to the bottom with allen screws
4. pull the volume knob away from the face and wiggle the LED circuit board from the knob
5. pull the selector knob away from the face while wiggling it - there are little clips that release
6. pull the decorative rings off from around the speakers
7. remove the 4 phillips screws holding in the speakers, pull the speakers out, and slide off the quick connectors,
8. you can see 5 more screw holes that were buried below the lip of the speakers, inside those are more phillips screws


this is where it gets tricky...


9. to axcess the other 16 screws you have to pry off the shiney black face of the boombox
10. gently start wedging something behind the plexi at a top corner
11. use a hairdryer on hot/low to soften the double sided sticky tape that holds the plexi on
12. work slow and carefull all the way around the boombox to pry the plexi away from the front case
13. once the plexi is off, set it aside face down so you don't accidently stick the plexi to something
14. remove the remainder of phillips screws on the front case (1 is extra long top center, a few short ones on the bottom, and the rest around the perimeter are all the same length)
15. if you look behind the left speaker you can see a gray ribbon band that tethers the rear case to the front circuitry - pull it out of the connector on the front side of the case
16. the top and bottom of the boombox has rubber stuck to it, pull up the rubber just away from the front side of the case
17. pull the front of the case straight off from the rear side
18. there are still some cables tethered, but you should be able to work from there



GOOD LUCK!

Thanks for this guide! You're amazing!!

 

[riker1068]

I would have smashed it and took a video of it on fire!

 

[sbb2112]

I would have smashed it and took a video of it on fire!

I still might. My cleaning only lasted 2 days. It went back to the same crap. I think I can find a new pot. I did some looking and found the same style just have to take apart all the way (removing the entire pot off the board) and verify the specs. Only took off the top section before.

 

[andyt2256]

Hi there I have the same problem with my 3 speaker tdk the volume led has stopped working and the volume at the lowest setting is very loud . Firmware update ? Or just the pot malfunction

 

[blu_fuz]

I would guess a pot malfunction. I have never done the firmware update on my TDK 2 or 3 speaker boxes and they all still work.

 

[Billy Bill]

Clearly potentiometer, Firmware update will not help. Got mine replaced few mounts ago - 50K linear from ebay for less than 2 pounds.

Does any one experienced issues with the selection wheel (the right one)? Like not moving the selection or moving it in the wrong direction? Any fix eventually?

Cheers

 

[Reli]

Legendary thread! These things are built like tanks. The 3-speaker one weighs 27 lbs! That's gotta be similar to a Conion C100!