Sony TC-230 Recorder Repair 

Rick, Good vid. I wonder how many novices would have torn the player completely apart trying to figure out the problem...and all it needed was some quality oil. You've really taught me a lot about how to approach a repair. Thanks again. Regards, John

I appreciate that you pointed out how to adjust the meters. That's the only thing I have left to tackle on a TC-530 that I have been restoring.

My first R2R was a Sony TC-200, both Tube and Transistor (hybrid). I used it for many years and when I sold it, it was still working great. Thanks.

Nice Repair, it works and sounds beautifully, CassetteMaster will love this one

Great work. Very clear accurate information recorded well and thoroughly detailed with excellent camera work. Thank you.

Nice machine and in such good shape after you got it running! Too bad Quarter track faded away in the 80's.... The quality can be stellar. I had a a couple of very nice Akai and Teac decks that I used all through the 80's but I got bit by all of that bad Ampex and 3M tape they made during that time. It all disintegrated and I had to throw it away. It became so sticky that it would not play on anything. Still, I love to see them working today. It brings back great memories.

Yep, just like a most everything you have to use them to keep them in good working order. Hope your TC-355 is working great!

Glad you got yours working. Yep it is a good idea to use them every now and again to keep them in good working order.

I just received one of these from my in-laws. They had the TC230 in storage for over 20 years. It still works just fine. This is my second reel to reel. The TC230 will be my back up, I use a Pioneer RT-707 constantly in my recording studio. I am a fan of the reel to reel sound. Thanks for this video, watching it was time well spent.

I have baked tapes in my professional life, in radio and as a freelance audio archivist, but most of what I had recorded at home was also transferred to cassette along the way. Thus, the open reel tapes were, for the most part, redundant. Cassette actually seems to be more robust as most of my cassette recordings, going back to 1978, are playable today. I have had to swap the tape into new shells in many cases but the tape is just fine.

I have been enjoying playing this recorder. Im not sure just exactly when I recorded the Gang Busters radio program, but it is still entertaining. Thanks.

Thanks Nivicoman, and thanks for the information.

Mine had the same problem! I also had some problems with the capstan drive idler which no amount of cleaning would restore grip. After installing a stopper and a tougher spring, it now plays fine. Before I fixed it, it would change pitch or slow to a halt. I suspect these problems occur on all of the ones that don't get used regularly.

@AllAmericanFiveRadio No it is difficult to push down because the tip of the outer swing arm (for lack of a better term) is slightly in the way. Move it about a 1-2 mm and it is out of the way. the locking mech for the record button functions normally and will click and release when moving to the stop position.

@AllAmericanFiveRadio I was thinking along those lines. I will try to find something that will work. Maybe a little contact cement to hold it in place. I'll post again if I get it worked out. Thanks for the suggestion/confirmation. You've been a great help!

I also have a TC 230 vintage in the 60's. Through my own fault, I let it set for much too long. From time to time, I would take it out, look at it, and put it back in the closet. Now that we have the internet, I see that there is still hope. Today, I looked at it again, and took the top panel off, put on a tape, and at first it would not play...it just gave a hint of movement forward or rewind. I kept fiddling with the forward & rewind, and at some point, it started to play, but probably at 95% speed, with a bit of scratchy sound. It "seems" like the drive motors don't seem to have the power to get things going. I shut it off again, and tried again later, and this time, I got NOTHING. Not even a hint of movement! Needless to say, I am at a loss as to what to do. I have contacted a local fix-it guy, but he is up to his neck in repairs, and does not have the time to check it out. So, I am back to square one....I have some great stuff on tape, and hope to get it onto CD's.... then someone can have to recorder for parts. When that recorder was at it's best...it was fabulous!! Urbie Green's 21 Trombones would fill the house with sound just from those two speakers!! Ohhhh how it miss............. can anyone out there help? Thanks.....You can email me at gab1934@twc.com

@AllAmericanFiveRadio The switch that activates the motor was stuck. Once I figured out that the switch is the "paper clip" looking piece of metal that fixed it. I will have to approach this one the same as you have. I'm going to try some 3 in 1 Oil and see if it does the trick. So far it has helped with the record button and the switches on the flip-side. I was able to play a tape and it seems to be playing at the correct speed. It sounds pretty good too with a small adjustment of the tape hd

Great job ,I have never worked on a reel to reel, but I have worked on things like it. I have worked on VCRs sinse they came out. Beleve it or not I still get them in from time to time.

I acquired a TC230 when I was in high school in 1970 but when I moved three years ago, it was in such terrible shape, I did not take it with me because I felt I could get a replacement which I just did. Its having the same issues as yours did. I will review your video again. It plays, but not engaging as it should as there are a lot of mechanical parts.

@greg2007ify Check to see if there is a motor speed control. And how do you know it is running fast?

They are still out there and I will be looking for more tape myself. Thanks.

@ddogg90 Hardened/congealed oil and grease can make things really stiff. I had to wash out the bearings in my JVC Nivico R2R and relube to free things up. I got the complete guts of the same model console I now have and it's R2R needs the same treatment, I can't push down the record button and the play/stop/rw/ff lever is very stiff.

Thanks for your reply, any idea how I access the screw?

Oh no...we dealt a lot with the sticky tape problem at a radio station in the mid-90's when we were still using reel to reel for everything. Did you try baking the tapes at all, like with a food dehydrator? Some people had reported great results with the tape heating method.

very nice job on a very nice sony your video can help me because i collect reel to reel but have no experience in servicing them

Great repair job! Sometimes we have had to take mechanisms like this apart and soak them in Varsol to remove grease but it looks like the oil did the trick. The meters really work well now. And was that a Dragnet radio episode at the end?

Sounds like hardened/congealed lubricant needed to be flushed out and replaced with fresh. I used cleaner to wash out the spindle bearings of my JVC Nivico STR-26 R2R (built into 4TR-990 Deluxe console stereo). They were stiff and the hardened idler wheel couldn't drive the take up reel. Same thing in rewind and fast forward. The rewind belt was hopelessly stretched and flabby, that got replaced. The meters in your TC-230 look like my Nivico's, red bodied. So do the idlers.

I try the oil first, but you have to be patient, this took over a week. In a couple of days I could see progress though. If that had not happened I would have taken it apart. Thanks.

@heroesunplugged If you don't want to bend anything, I would try affixing a thin piece plastic between the two metal parts. So they can slide past each other.

Thanks, I hope it works for you!

Really good idea, thanks 2n918

@heroesunplugged Lol, you got the other problem, the tape transport fixed before I could respond, great. The record button is suppose to release when you move the recorder to stop. Is the problem that it is to easy to push down?

Thanks. That is a real shame that you had to throw those tapes away. I have been thinking about storing what few tapes I have in a moisture proof and metal container in my refrigerator. That may slow down the deterioration I hope. The last recording is from KMOX in St. Louis and I do not remember when I recorded it. But it does bring back memories and is fun to listen too.

Any chance of video on how to disassemble the chasis of this unit - for those of us lacking the guts on jumping right in & taking alllllll the screws out. Thanks much for the current video.

you said you had problems with the record button but did dot describe what you did to repair that issue????

@ForgetfulCollector I had to sand the driving surfaces of my machine's idlers to get them to grip. They are the original 40 year old pieces and very hard/stiff. After sanding the hard glaze off there was fresh pliable rubber. I then applied brake fluid for a few minutes then wiped that off to soften the entire idlers. The idlers and belts are probably 70% of the mechanical problems with tape decks and turntables, the other 30% hardened dried up grease and oil which binds everything up.

Thanks. No, I dont have a Sony 630/D. They are very nice recorders and it would be nice to find one some day. I just recently found a couple of recorders and decided to get them. They are a lot of fun.

Thanks John.

I recently found a TC355. The biggest problem that found had were seized cast aluminum levers. Along with a shorted startup cap on the main drive motor.

I have a question about the motor. I get a power light, but no movement of the motor. Does this potentially mean that he motor is bad or something else? I think the motor is suppose to run when powered on. Is this correct? Thanks for the great presentation! Very informative.

Im sure there will be one in the future. But until then what I would do, would be to take digital pictures at every step of disassemble. That works.

I was not sure what radio show it was myself. It turns out to be a Suspense radio program that I had recorded from KMOX in St. Louis. I think tonight Ill fix a big bowl pop-corn and listen to the entire tape. Thanks.

I have a Magnavox VCR and it still works great. You shouldn't have any problems working on a reel to reel. The motor and speed controls for the Helical scanning heads of a VCR are very critical. The audio tape speed needs to be accurate of course, but it is audio not video.

I have one question regarding the Record Button. I got the tape head transport working properly, but the record button is ever-so-slightly needing to be moved so that it can be pushed down and then release when stopping the tape. Everything is lubed using 3-in-1 Oil and now moves freely. Any ideas concerning the Rec. Button? Is there any such adjustment?

Hi Rick would you recommend any instrument / clock oil on the meters? Or would collecting dust be a problem? Great video learning a hell of a lot from watching your videos.

Your welcome and thanks.

Cleaning and lubrication unusually helps. Some adjusting may be in order also.

I am not sure what type of lube Sony and most other Japanese tape machine mfgs. used, but it gums up badly over the years. Another good solvent that works well is Ronsonal lighter fuel. It dissolves the lube and allows the parts to move smoothly. Then follow up with a good grade of light machine oil to finish. The lighter fuel is also excellent for removing "dead" and glazed rubber from idlers and pinch wheels.

Lever that controls the play, fast-forward, fast rewind, has one screw to loosen. If it is stuck I would remove the screw completely and put a drop of thin oil, or WD-40 on the shaft. I would wait a while for the thin oil to work, a few hours or a few days. Hopefully the handle will wiggle loose from the shaft.

I just bought one yesterday, I'm having a really hard time getting the right side amplifier to work

Hi, how are you? Thanks for uploading this video. I am currently working on the same machine and have the same issue. I am hoping some lube and a few days will also free the shaft up some more. Do you still have the machine? Have you had any other issues with it?

Thanks heroesunplugged Yes the motor should run when power is on. Hopefully it is a dirty contact and not the motor.

@lesnombredix i mean, it plays tape, but no sound comes out

I have one as well. The pinch roller is doing the same thing. Cutting oil? I do have trumpet valve oil, and 3 in 1.

@lesnombredix That is one of many possibilities.

Just picked this one up for 20$ on eBay, right out of the poorly packaged box I noticed record button is stuck. Hopefully I will be able to get it going, I might send you a few questions if that's ok.

I have this model. But mine has some different switches to what you have. On mine I can select what speakers to power on. 1 or 2. whereas you just have a push button.

Wat kind of cutting oil are you using?

hello. my akai 1730ss is not playing tape. could this be a head problem?

Hello! I have that same model, however, it worked and I decided to switch the voltage knob with it turned on and I think it blowed a fuse 😅🤦🏻‍♂️. However, I have no idea where the fuse compartment is, could you tell me please?

I'm having an issue where the motor turns off once the switch is fully engaged, if you hold it just barely towards the off position, it works fine. Any ideas? Edit: I feel dumb, it was the tape player equivalent of not sitting on the mower seat and trying to run it...

I have this unit. It was all working when the motor burned out. Belts and all are in fine condition. Please contact me to acquire this to either repair the motor or use for parts.

Hi i have a DRW 750 Double cassette player . The left side cassette is stuck will not open. The right side open's great and have no problems with it. Can you please tell me how to fix this problem.

Hi, I have a TC-280 that needs some work, but I can't figure out how to pop off the control lever......any suggestions??

I have a TC-230. When I put the unit in play mode the reels start to rotate then they come to a complete stop. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Correction the radio program was Gang Busters

I have one and its in pretty bad condition. Trying to rebuild it. Speakers are missing though.

Thanks. That rascal probably has three of them, lol.

Oh hey just wanted you to know a guy on a website recommended you. Hopefully mine just needs lube I spent alot and disappointed

I have the 260 .. pleas hellp I changed the belts it was lasy collecting no foret it.....

Oil, and straightening a bent piece of metal.

The RIGHT meter is still not happy. Needs one more careful tweek.

I would contact the cassettemaster, he probably has one.

Mine won't record unless i hold down the button. Easy fix or? Also needs belts won't rewind or ff? I spent 100 dollars i feel ripped off. :(but I'm not gonna give up on it Sorry I know 11 year old video just trying to get some help

There's a hole in the handle.

🙏🏼🌺🌸🌷🌻🌼🙏🏼

LOL! Thanks ktmyamaha01