Clicking sound in tape deck

Dual cassette deck are nothing but trouble, but on occasion they can be made to work a little longer. Maybe lose belts or the most common thing is the grease is all dried up. It requires the cleaning off and application of new better grade grease. The problem is the mechanism has to come apart and make sure it is aligned when put together- this can take 3 hours.

The mechanisms in both units need cleaning and lubrication. There is no simple answer than to clean out the old Lub and apply a new grease. Sometimes belts are also changed but belts by themselves will do little good.

A look inside and watch the mechanism in action will reveal the source of the clicking sound. It could indicate a broken plastic part.

Loose belts and lack of lubrication. Dual cassette decks are built to minimum standards so that it does not take much to push them over the edge to be non-functional. It is almost like they should provide a tape deck repair course with these types of units as it is most certain that you are going to need it. They want you to throw it away and buy another one. This is where the throw away economy started.

Another dual deck it seems- the unit will need service by a Technician, there is no magic that will make it work. It may be as little as a large belt. I would have to see the unit to tell you the exact cause.

It is a mechanical fault. The mechanism should have to be repaired. Contact any experienced technician.

Without physically looking at the cassette deck myself, I cannot be 100% sure the tape is wrapped around the pinch roller and capstan. The capstan is the chrome rod which the rubber pinch roller pushes to regulate the speed of the tape moving across the head. However it is approximately a 90% chance the take up reel for the tape stopped working from a bad tape or a loose belt which drives the tape take up reel. The clicking sounds like it could be the auto reverse solenoid because it thinks the tape has reached the end of play. The fun part is to remove the tape which you may have to disassemble the front panel if you cannot gain access to the tape from the top or bottom. You will need to cut the tape and remove it from the capstan and pinch roller to open the cassette door. Sometimes you can remove the capstan to free the tape. Once you have cleaned all the tape out of the unit make sure the belt for the take-up is good. If it is glazed, cracked, loose or broken order a belt. Clean all the pulleys and capstan and replace the belt. Your unit should be functional after the above procedure.

When setting up receivers or amplifiers,
Following will help to determin or correct the Problem.

1) Do not plug any sources into the unit but power cord. Then wait for 0~5 second while an ear on top of the unit. See whether the clicking Sound can be heard. ** This will tell whether the actual unit has problem or not in Power Supply or in Power Amp Circuit. If it clicks, then The Amp/Receiver is partially OK. In other word, the problem may be something else. If No Clicking Sound, then Definitely there is Problem. Meaning The unit must be serviced by Professionals. ***NOTE: This applies to Modern Receivers or Amplifiers (I would say, the units manufactured after 1980.). Vintage Units may not Apply.

2) Make Sure Speaker Selector Switch for "A" is on.

3) If Above is met (if Clicks), By visual inspection, See if the Tape Switch (Source Select) or Tape Monitor Switch is on or not (Usually Tape 1 or 2 indicator lights). This switch mu be off!! or set to tuner.

4) Many of the receivers or Amplifiers has a Loop called "Main In/Pre Out" at the back of the unit. There must be horse shoes type pins in them. Otherwise it will not Sound. (Some units has a On/Off Switch near by those jacks and have to be on position).

5) Some Units has so called "External Processor Loop" similar to #4 above and the Switch is on the Face fanel usually. (Must be Off Position)

After the Steps #1~#5, if Everthing is Corrected, then the tuner should Sound (Unless there is proble with tuner).

Now Plug in one Source at a time.
****NOTE: When plug in Tape Deck, Make sure to plug in properly. Out of Tape Deck to Play of Receiver, In of Tape Deck to REC of Receiver. Otherwise (if Reversed), the Sound will be muted or No Sound Will Occure.

There is an outside chance your tape cassett has a static charge. Tape in plastic case of cassette can build up significant electrical static which can partially discharge as tape is run. It can sound like random thumps, ticks, pops ect. Wrap cassette in a damp (not dripping wet) cloth, for several hours, then try again. This can also happen to the reels and drive rollers of the deck

The belts will have failed. You will need to replace them for the deck to be reliable. If you are mechanically minded I can talk you through it... You giving me a FixYa rating will help my profile and loosen my lips on how to overhaul your deck. :)