N1700 - cannot open cassette and supply reel constantly running - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

rank-bush-murphy · 6th Mar 2007, 11:16 pm

Does any one know why this machine just sits with the cassette drawer unable to be opened and the supply reel running constantly?

Mikey405 · 7th Mar 2007, 8:41 am

Hi Simon.

Make sure that the belt hasn't come off the loading-motor (or the gearbox hasn't jammed if it's the other type.)

From Mike.

Mike Phelan · 7th Mar 2007, 9:17 am

Simon
Is it loaded (is the tape pulled out of the cassette and wrapped around the drum) ? IIRC there is a worm gear arrangement on the loading motor, driving the loading ring quadrant; this can seize up due to congealed grease.
You can wind it back manually.

Watch out for the head drum; they were expensive enough when they were new!

rank-bush-murphy · 7th Mar 2007, 10:58 am

no it does all of this with no tape present and the door wont open the power button feels as though its not connecting with anything also

Mike Phelan · 7th Mar 2007, 6:27 pm

Power button - the long narrow loading button on the front?
Is there any life at all - display and things?

My N1700 memories are a trifle vague now, but ISTR a microswitch under the cassette lift that gave problems.

Mikey405 · 7th Mar 2007, 7:05 pm

Hi Simon.

The power switch was never terribly "tactile" on these machines, and if the machine hasn't finished unlacing then the button will appear to do nothing anyway - You will just get the symptoms you describe. Measure the voltage on the loading motor to see whether it's trying to turn. If it is trying to turn then, as Mike P says, try giving the lacing ring a helping hand.

From Mike.
PS. These machines will happily lace up and run with no tape inserted.
PPS. I think the microswitch under the cassette compartment is just there to force the machine to unload if you press the "Eject" button whilst it's running. If there is no tape inserted, you can manually push the "striker" bar to the left which will eject the compartment and enable the locking bar in the tape compartment to be pushed down by hand and the unit to be removed.

Mikey405 · 7th Mar 2007, 7:51 pm

Hi Simon again.

Have a quick look at the enclosed pictures for how to open the cassette compartment manually. It's always easier to work with the compartment removed.

Picture 1 shows the position and shape of the "striker" bar that you need to move to the left. The microswitch that Mike P was talking about is just underneath on the left hand side and detects when you press the Eject button (and also when the compartment is closed).

Picture 2 shows a view of the bar with the cassette compartment in place (seen from the left hand side of the machine). You need to get a screwdriver or similar into the small rectangular hole that you can just see (to the left of the bigger square hole on the right hand side of the picture) and slide it to the left. It is under some spring tension, but that is all. (You may find it easier to push the right-hand edge of the striker bar.)

Picture 3 shows the bar that you need to push down (to remove the cassette compartment) whilst lifting the cassette compartment upwards. If the compartment is fully open, you need to push it down a bit to make the bar slot through the gap in the mechanism. Once the bar is lowered through the gap, the compartment just lifts away.

Picture 4 shows the later version of the loading motor - The other version is mounted vertically and has a little rubber belt which often snaps or goes gooey.

I hope this helps Simon.

From Mike.
PS. Once the cassette compartment has been removed, the "striker" bar will have to be held to the left to make the machine think that the cassette compartment is loaded, otherwise the deck will appear dead.

Mikey405 · 7th Mar 2007, 8:05 pm

Just another thought, the drum should also be rotating whilst the reel is turning and the unit is unlacing, but it may be that the belt has simply fallen off or gone hard / slack / gooey. To check the belts, the bottom cover is easy to remove with two philips screws and two plastic clips, and the circuit board underneath can be simply be hinged out by releasing the two metal spring clips with your fingers.

From Mike.

6th Mar 2007, 11:16 pm	#1
rank-bush-murphy Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: nr taunton somerset uk Posts: 32	N1700 - cannot open cassette and supply reel constantly running Does any one know why this machine just sits with the cassette drawer unable to be opened and the supply reel running constantly? Last edited by Mike Phelan; 11th Jun 2007 at 5:06 pm. Reason: Spelling

7th Mar 2007, 8:41 am	#2
Mikey405 Octode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Solihull, West Midlands and Beaford, Devon Posts: 1,626	Re: n1700 wierd probs Hi Simon. Make sure that the belt hasn't come off the loading-motor (or the gearbox hasn't jammed if it's the other type.) From Mike.

7th Mar 2007, 9:17 am	#3
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Re: n1700 wierd probs Simon Is it loaded (is the tape pulled out of the cassette and wrapped around the drum) ? IIRC there is a worm gear arrangement on the loading motor, driving the loading ring quadrant; this can seize up due to congealed grease. You can wind it back manually. Watch out for the head drum; they were expensive enough when they were new! __________________ Mike.

7th Mar 2007, 10:58 am	#4
rank-bush-murphy Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: nr taunton somerset uk Posts: 32	Re: n1700 wierd probs no it does all of this with no tape present and the door wont open the power button feels as though its not connecting with anything also

7th Mar 2007, 6:27 pm	#5
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Re: n1700 wierd probs Power button - the long narrow loading button on the front? Is there any life at all - display and things? My N1700 memories are a trifle vague now, but ISTR a microswitch under the cassette lift that gave problems. __________________ Mike.

7th Mar 2007, 7:05 pm	#6
Mikey405 Octode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Solihull, West Midlands and Beaford, Devon Posts: 1,626	Re: n1700 wierd probs Hi Simon. The power switch was never terribly "tactile" on these machines, and if the machine hasn't finished unlacing then the button will appear to do nothing anyway - You will just get the symptoms you describe. Measure the voltage on the loading motor to see whether it's trying to turn. If it is trying to turn then, as Mike P says, try giving the lacing ring a helping hand. From Mike. PS. These machines will happily lace up and run with no tape inserted. PPS. I think the microswitch under the cassette compartment is just there to force the machine to unload if you press the "Eject" button whilst it's running. If there is no tape inserted, you can manually push the "striker" bar to the left which will eject the compartment and enable the locking bar in the tape compartment to be pushed down by hand and the unit to be removed. Last edited by Mikey405; 7th Mar 2007 at 7:16 pm.

7th Mar 2007, 7:51 pm	#7
Mikey405 Octode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Solihull, West Midlands and Beaford, Devon Posts: 1,626	Re: n1700 wierd probs Hi Simon again. Have a quick look at the enclosed pictures for how to open the cassette compartment manually. It's always easier to work with the compartment removed. Picture 1 shows the position and shape of the "striker" bar that you need to move to the left. The microswitch that Mike P was talking about is just underneath on the left hand side and detects when you press the Eject button (and also when the compartment is closed). Picture 2 shows a view of the bar with the cassette compartment in place (seen from the left hand side of the machine). You need to get a screwdriver or similar into the small rectangular hole that you can just see (to the left of the bigger square hole on the right hand side of the picture) and slide it to the left. It is under some spring tension, but that is all. (You may find it easier to push the right-hand edge of the striker bar.) Picture 3 shows the bar that you need to push down (to remove the cassette compartment) whilst lifting the cassette compartment upwards. If the compartment is fully open, you need to push it down a bit to make the bar slot through the gap in the mechanism. Once the bar is lowered through the gap, the compartment just lifts away. Picture 4 shows the later version of the loading motor - The other version is mounted vertically and has a little rubber belt which often snaps or goes gooey. I hope this helps Simon. From Mike. PS. Once the cassette compartment has been removed, the "striker" bar will have to be held to the left to make the machine think that the cassette compartment is loaded, otherwise the deck will appear dead. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Mikey405; 7th Mar 2007 at 8:08 pm.

7th Mar 2007, 8:05 pm	#8
Mikey405 Octode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Solihull, West Midlands and Beaford, Devon Posts: 1,626	Re: n1700 wierd probs Just another thought, the drum should also be rotating whilst the reel is turning and the unit is unlacing, but it may be that the belt has simply fallen off or gone hard / slack / gooey. To check the belts, the bottom cover is easy to remove with two philips screws and two plastic clips, and the circuit board underneath can be simply be hinged out by releasing the two metal spring clips with your fingers. From Mike.