TECHNICS RS-M215 TAPE DECK FAULT

Ah, for the "good old days" of electronic repair.

This is a mode switch problem. The record / play slide switch needs cleaning.

Sometimes you can get by simply putting the machine into Record mode, then Stop, then Record, repeating several times. The deck ought to work a while after that.

Any shop with an old fart on staff should be able to fix it, or you can do it yourself if you are handy, and can get an aerosol can of Caig De-Oxit or similar cleaner / lubricant for electronic switches and controls.

It's necessary to have some understanding of how the switches are constructed, so that you will know where to spay the cleaner into the switch. Helps to pack tissue around the switch to control runoff. Spray cleaner into the moving contacts and exercise the switch back and forth. Repeat. Done.

Mark Z.

Thanks for your reply, I know where the switch is, I will get some spray and have a go.

In these series of tape decks, I have had the solder connections under the mode switch go intermittent, or the mode switch itself have oxidized contacts. For the oxidized contacts (most common), I use a control cleaner that is for cleaning variable resistors (controls). If there is a cold solder connection at the switch, re-soldering the connections under the switch should fix it. In severe cases, I've had to replace the mode switch.

If you are not familiar and experienced in doing these types of repairs, I strongly suggest you take the tape deck to a service centre to have this done for you. It is easy to damage something in trying to service this yourself if you are not experienced.

I would suspect one contact of the play/rec change over relay if there is one

Cassette recorder repair briefs on the third repair file on URL below

-- Diverse Devices, Southampton, England electronic hints and repair briefs , schematics/manuals list on

rec-pb slider switch needs a clean as others have said. generally straightforward fix.

another common fault with these decks, though unrelated totally to your problem, is motor controller failure - seen several where the speed is generally about 10% faster then normal, and varying. Must be the stress the powered mech places on the motor finally taking its toll.

regards, -B.

The weakpoint of most speed controllers is the speed adj wiper contact.

NT

Many thanks for all your helpful advice