Deck turns on but doesn't do anything else. Motor runs.

There should be a button or switch that will select the recording deck and the dubbing deck. You put a blank tape into the recording deck and the pre-recorded one into the play deck. Pressing the record button on the dubbing deck, on some models should start the play deck running. If not press play on that deck.

It would seem so. Normally you only find this on trial software, when they don't give you access to all the features.

Hi amitchell47,
The rubber belts that turns the gears is already worn out. Usually, there are two rubber belts in a cassette deck. You have to replace both belts. I hope everything works out. Good luck.

Many of the cassette decks from the mid 1980s were designed this way. Yes this can be normal.

for a start your title says "Problem with the Technics RS-TR272 Single Cassette Deck"
So is it a single or double?
i'm assuming it's a double,right only one of the decks records so put the blank tape into it make sure the tabs on the top of the tape haven't been broke or you'll need to cover the holes with the labels you get with the tape.
put the tape with the music on it, in the other deck rewind them both then press "sync rec" & they should both set off.

This is a case of a failing reel motor. What happens i sthe brushes become aged and wear down and the motor has what they call a dead spot on the Commutator. The motor will work fine at high speeds as the inertia is working for it but when you use a slow speed as in play mode the motor hits the dead spot and stops. You will need a new reel motor in the most likely case- I can service the deck if you want at Skywave Tape Deck Repair Chicago area. I will most likely put a new motor into the deck.

The more detailed the description of the problem, the better for diagnosing the root cause. Thanks.

It sounds like you have a couple of problems. I'll address them as you have them numbered above.

1. Decks typically have belts to drive the various 'reel' mechanisms. Therefore, they can slip without breaking anything inside the machine or the tape. Your first symptom leads me in that direction.

2. That it migrated is mysterious, unless Sony is using a common motor to handle both decks' reel duties.

3. This symptom may have something to do with the root cause of both sides jamming...

Do the cassette well doors come off, say, for cleaning? Could they be dislodge? If so, they may have something to do with the jamming problems in # 1 and #2 as the doors play a part in positioning the cassette and holding it in place against the reel motor cogs. How do the doors operate with NO tape inserted?

Does it take excessive force to close the door only WITH a tape? make sure the tape is fully seated before closing the door. The capstans (directly below each reel cog) have to engage through the small holes at the lower edge of the cassette. They should be straight and clean. Any dirt or oxide on them will cause problems as these are what move the tape at the precise speed necessary for good playback or recording.
---

My hipshot recommendation, otherwise, is to look around inside the cassette wells very carefully for any foreign matter, debris, dust bunnies.

Do you maintain the deck as recommended?

The problem here is that the unit is stuck in a partial position. The "reset" by unplugging and plugging back in usually causes the unit to reset to a known position. If there is no activity (no motor sound), it will need to be opened up and reset manually. If you hear the motor running for a short period, it is attempting to reset, but the belt is most likely worn or broken. These units are relatively simple, but a bit tricky to dis-assemble. This repair should not require anything other than a belt or 2. Figure on $3-$10 for parts plus the local labor rate for the repair.

Dan

This is a fairly old and obsolete model and its components are now not manufactured. If you are lucky, some stockists may have replacement part, but normally at very high price.

capstan belt may be failing. check this by removing lid and touch the capstan flywheel when running. if it is easily stalled/slow to come up to speed and or the belt slipping badly then belt will require replacement.