I definitely don't feel comfortable trying to do this myself. I accidentally broke off one of the switches on top of the radio. I would much rather trust this repair in more capable hands than mine. What are some good resources?
Sharp QT-5(L)
- Thread starter ElectricCloud
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baddboybill
Boomus Fidelis
Either find an electronics repair shop near you which there are not many of repairing older electronics or send to a member hereElectricCloud said:
Hey guys, new to the forum. I recently bought one of the sharp QT5 (pink) for my wife. the radio works but not the cassette player.
I have taken it apart (successfully) a couple times (and managed to put it back successfully everytime).
What I haven't been able to do though, is figure out where the belt is supposed to go. Or if my problem comes from the belt or not.
Things I can tell you:
- I can hear a sound when I press Play, (maybe something like the motor forcing?) but nothing is moving.
- Turns on when I put it on the radio option and works perfectly (there was some corrosion in the battery compartment but nothing that means it doesn't play).
- When I removed the circuit board, I could see: i)A black belt that was still connected to some gearand, ii) A rubber band(?) that was broken and fell off before I could see where it could have been placed.
Things I wonder:
- Is it a motor problem?
- Would the rubber band I found have been used as a belt replacement, and if so where does it go?
- I tried to remove the black belt but something seem to make it impossible for me to take it off without cutting it.
I can certainly take it apart and take some photos if that can help you. I have been searching the internet for some sort of instructions or photo of how the belt(S) is/are supposed to be mounted, but so far i haven't found anything.
I have taken it apart (successfully) a couple times (and managed to put it back successfully everytime).
What I haven't been able to do though, is figure out where the belt is supposed to go. Or if my problem comes from the belt or not.
Things I can tell you:
- I can hear a sound when I press Play, (maybe something like the motor forcing?) but nothing is moving.
- Turns on when I put it on the radio option and works perfectly (there was some corrosion in the battery compartment but nothing that means it doesn't play).
- When I removed the circuit board, I could see: i)A black belt that was still connected to some gearand, ii) A rubber band(?) that was broken and fell off before I could see where it could have been placed.
Things I wonder:
- Is it a motor problem?
- Would the rubber band I found have been used as a belt replacement, and if so where does it go?
- I tried to remove the black belt but something seem to make it impossible for me to take it off without cutting it.
I can certainly take it apart and take some photos if that can help you. I have been searching the internet for some sort of instructions or photo of how the belt(S) is/are supposed to be mounted, but so far i haven't found anything.
Is anyone comfortable with attempting to repair my cassette player? I'm having trouble finding something near me.
HRmeteohub
Member (SA)
Well, I am about 20.000 miles away, but I may give you an advice.
Try lifting the white-ish caps-sliders from switches on the top of the unit. Also, there is one more screw in the battery compartment on you pics. If you removed it, than keep the tape door open, and try gently again.
If it looks like the tuner string is in the way, as baddboybill said, that is going to take a lot of fiddling around, but it can be done. The string can be released from leftmost pully/part of the loop and then placed back after the tape deck is done.
Just keep the tuner string away from fire and high temperatures. That string is impregnated with wax and will burn fast, and replacing it is rather hard. For example, the soldering iron will cut through it instantly.
As far as the broken switch is concerned, you can glue it with Acrylate glue later (3M, Loctite, whatever 10-second glue), but consider it the last step in the process, after everything is checked OK, and you have placed all screws in. Do not be alarmed, we have all broken somethuing during restoration/repair. Just as H Ford said, mistake is an opportunuty. It was broken when you started, was it not?
Did you clean the battery connectors? If you can't find anything else, basic household vinegar will do miracles (it will foam a little), just take care not to splash it on circuit board, and rinse it with water. Take a cotton cloth and wipe batt compartment afterwards. The chemical principle of cleansing the oxidation is rahter simple, the oxides were made due to alkaline chemicals in batteries, and you are neutralizing them with (rather weak) acid. Not exactly the paper-mesh vulcan, but similar.
Take care!
Try lifting the white-ish caps-sliders from switches on the top of the unit. Also, there is one more screw in the battery compartment on you pics. If you removed it, than keep the tape door open, and try gently again.
If it looks like the tuner string is in the way, as baddboybill said, that is going to take a lot of fiddling around, but it can be done. The string can be released from leftmost pully/part of the loop and then placed back after the tape deck is done.
Just keep the tuner string away from fire and high temperatures. That string is impregnated with wax and will burn fast, and replacing it is rather hard. For example, the soldering iron will cut through it instantly.
As far as the broken switch is concerned, you can glue it with Acrylate glue later (3M, Loctite, whatever 10-second glue), but consider it the last step in the process, after everything is checked OK, and you have placed all screws in. Do not be alarmed, we have all broken somethuing during restoration/repair. Just as H Ford said, mistake is an opportunuty. It was broken when you started, was it not?
Did you clean the battery connectors? If you can't find anything else, basic household vinegar will do miracles (it will foam a little), just take care not to splash it on circuit board, and rinse it with water. Take a cotton cloth and wipe batt compartment afterwards. The chemical principle of cleansing the oxidation is rahter simple, the oxides were made due to alkaline chemicals in batteries, and you are neutralizing them with (rather weak) acid. Not exactly the paper-mesh vulcan, but similar.
Take care!
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