Cassette VU meters FSD - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

chorrykid · 20th Jun 2021, 8:46 pm

I have an ITT MC22 and the cassette was playing well but it has since developed a fault that when play is depressed both VU meters go into full scale deflecting and distorted sound output. I also have a National Panasonic cassette deck that is doing the very same thing. If I could be pointed in the right direction of the fault it would be most appreciated.

percival007 · 20th Jun 2021, 9:10 pm

Mechanical Record/Playback Switch (internal) with dirty contacts?

With a Blank Tape in, Press Record and then Stop repeatedly many times.
If this works then a strip down to get to the Switch with some cleaner will be required.

If this doesn't work (it still could be the Switch) but some further tests will need to be done with a 'scope maybe.

paulsherwin · 20th Jun 2021, 10:03 pm

Clean all the switch contacts before trying anything more ambitious. The vast majority of old cassette deck faults are down to either bad belts or dirty switch contacts.

chorrykid · 21st Jun 2021, 8:56 am

Many thanks. will have a look at cleaning the switch.

20th Jun 2021, 8:46 pm	#1
chorrykid Diode Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK. Posts: 2	Cassette VU meters FSD I have an ITT MC22 and the cassette was playing well but it has since developed a fault that when play is depressed both VU meters go into full scale deflecting and distorted sound output. I also have a National Panasonic cassette deck that is doing the very same thing. If I could be pointed in the right direction of the fault it would be most appreciated.

20th Jun 2021, 9:10 pm	#2
percival007 Heptode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 852	Re: Cassette VU meters FSD Mechanical Record/Playback Switch (internal) with dirty contacts? With a Blank Tape in, Press Record and then Stop repeatedly many times. If this works then a strip down to get to the Switch with some cleaner will be required. If this doesn't work (it still could be the Switch) but some further tests will need to be done with a 'scope maybe.

20th Jun 2021, 10:03 pm	#3
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,943	Re: Cassette VU meters FSD Clean all the switch contacts before trying anything more ambitious. The vast majority of old cassette deck faults are down to either bad belts or dirty switch contacts.

21st Jun 2021, 8:56 am	#4
chorrykid Diode Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK. Posts: 2	Re: Cassette VU meters FSD Many thanks. will have a look at cleaning the switch.