Radio Restoration

[AtomicEraTom]

I recently got my hands on a console stereo.

Back story: I have 30-some 8-track tapes and my 8-track player went. So, I found one on Craigslist, which I was told everything worked on. Well, I got it home, and the turntable didn't work, or the 8 track, but the radio does.

I got the turntable to turn on now, but it doesn't turn.

The 8-track player registers that it's on track 3, I can hear something happening, but no sound, ironically the same problem with my old 8-track player. Also, not 5 minutes after I got the thing inside, the track selector switch stopped working.

I know this isn't a golden era piece of furniture/electronics, but I thought someone may be able to help me, it's vintage after all.

Thanks very much,
-Tom

 

[Pilgrim]

I suspect some old drive belts or rollers aren't working.

The diagnosis is three steps:

1) Is X device getting power?

2) If not, why not? (Fix that.)

3) If yes, then what is supposed to happen after it gets power, but isn't happening?

Then fix #3. (Simple, right?)

If you have any familiarity with electronics, some cautious disassembly may allow you to see what's not happening. Normal cautions about AC power and not getting in contact with it apply - and so do cautions about keeping fingers out of moving parts!

The heads in an 8-track physically move to index on the tape tracks...so there should be motion when they sense the command to move.

A turntable that won't turn is simpler. Look at the motor and see if it's turning. if it's turning but the table is not, what's the intermediate piece? It's either a roller or a belt in most cases.

I once got a VHS VCR to work for two years of light use with a thick rubber band replacing a broken drive belt.

 

[FountainPenGirl]

Hi Tom, In addition to being a telephone collector I also professionally restore radios and other tube type audio equipment. Although what you have is a little new for me I do have some experience in that area. What Pilgrim posted is accurate. If you are in need of drive belts and/or phonograph needles I have located some sources. If all else fails and you ever get farther north in Wisconsin I might be able to help you out. I think We're about a 3 to 4 hour drive north of you. If you need help let me know. I might be able to find some techincal info too.

Just on a side note I'm going to an antque radio swap meet tomorrow in Mn.

Another thought too I do have some older Radio/Phono combo units I eventually intend to sell. Most need some restoration but should make nice units. I don't get into refinishing cabinets much and focus on making them work.

 

[Absinthe_1900]

What brand, and year range could help.

You may be able to drop in a generic turntable/record changer from the same era in the old cabinet, look for a donor turntable from the usual places.

I remember watching a lot of 8-Tracks self destruct.

 

[AtomicEraTom]

I'm not too concerned with the turntable, I do have a nice working one, but I plan on digging further into it and making it work. I got the on/off switch to work, it was stuck.

The 8-track player is doing the same thing my other one is. It's registering it's playing a program, you can hear it running, but no sound comes out. Also, the selector switch stopped working 10 minutes after I got it home, I imagine it's a broken spring.

It's a Zenith, from I'd say the 70s.

Here are some pics.

 

[FountainPenGirl]

Hi, I got a Zenith very similar to that. I got it years ago. It hadn't been used a lot and I had problems with the mode select switch that switches from Radio to Phono to Tape. The contacts get coroded and dirty from lack of use and they just don't make contact anymore. Get some tuner cleaner with lubricant for moving contacts. A lot of turner cleaner will clean the contacts but also remove all lubrication so if the control isn't worn out it soon will be. You have to look on the can to make sure is contains lubricant for moving contacts. You may have to remove the back to get access but get that into the mode select, volume, balance control. All of them can cause an open circuit resulting in no sound. After I got mine working I also found a loose solder joint on one of the circuit boards. This one is a little new for me but it was given to me and it was just like new. My folks still have it in their home.

 

[AtomicEraTom]

I only bought this one for the fact that they told me it had a working 8-track player. The selector from AM to FM to AFC to Phono to 8-track is in great working order. If I go to any of those, I Do get sound, besides 8-track.