I have an older Sony TC-FX4 cassette deck that plays just fine but will
not record/records weakly on the left channel. The VU's show normal
signal coming in during record mode, but when I play back, the left
channel is extremely weak -- barely showing up at all on the left
meter. In fact, you can't even really hear the sound unless you move
the balance to left and crank the volume.

At the same time this problem developed, I also had a problem with
jackhammering/machine gun sound and other interesting noises if I went
directly from record to playback. I tracked that down to the record
relay switch and replaced it which took care of that problem. I was
hoping it had something to do w/ the left channel not recording but I
guess not.

Any help would be appreciated. I don't have a schematic but maybe
someone could point me in the right direction as far as things to look
for that may be causing the problem. Thank you-

Willie

I had a similar problem with a Technics deck, and it ended up being a cold
solder joint. Maybe you'll get lucky too.


"Willie" wrote in message
ups.com...
I have an older Sony TC-FX4 cassette deck that plays just fine but will
not record/records weakly on the left channel. The VU's show normal
signal coming in during record mode, but when I play back, the left
channel is extremely weak -- barely showing up at all on the left
meter. In fact, you can't even really hear the sound unless you move
the balance to left and crank the volume.

At the same time this problem developed, I also had a problem with
jackhammering/machine gun sound and other interesting noises if I went
directly from record to playback. I tracked that down to the record
relay switch and replaced it which took care of that problem. I was
hoping it had something to do w/ the left channel not recording but I
guess not.

Any help would be appreciated. I don't have a schematic but maybe
someone could point me in the right direction as far as things to look
for that may be causing the problem. Thank you-

Willie

"Willie" wrote in
ups.com:

I have an older Sony TC-FX4 cassette deck that plays just fine but will
not record/records weakly on the left channel. The VU's show normal
signal coming in during record mode, but when I play back, the left
channel is extremely weak -- barely showing up at all on the left
meter. In fact, you can't even really hear the sound unless you move
the balance to left and crank the volume.

At the same time this problem developed, I also had a problem with
jackhammering/machine gun sound and other interesting noises if I went
directly from record to playback. I tracked that down to the record
relay switch and replaced it which took care of that problem. I was
hoping it had something to do w/ the left channel not recording but I
guess not.

Any help would be appreciated. I don't have a schematic but maybe
someone could point me in the right direction as far as things to look
for that may be causing the problem. Thank you-

Willie


Normal fault on those is the relay RY301, which Sony replaced with an
improved type under part number 1-515-547-11

Have you also checked for head wear and bias levels? What do the recordings
sound like if you play them back in another machine? Does the machine have
a headphone socket - if so, have you listened to it on headphones?

Also check out any leaf or slide switches related to the mechanism mode.

Steve wrote:

Normal fault on those is the relay RY301, which Sony replaced with an

improved type under part number 1-515-547-11

Have you also checked for head wear and bias levels? What do the
recordings
sound like if you play them back in another machine? Does the machine
have
a headphone socket - if so, have you listened to it on headphones?

Also check out any leaf or slide switches related to the mechanism
mode.

Yes that's the relay RY301 that I replaced. Took care of all the other
problems I was having, except for the left channel record.
Recordings sound the same in another machine, headphone jack on the
Sony produces same results as RCA outs. Not much head wear, if any at
all. Not discernable with magnifying.
As far as bias levels, I don't know how to go about that. I suppose
you need a scope for that.

Willie

Willie wrote:
Steve wrote:

Normal fault on those is the relay RY301, which Sony replaced with an

improved type under part number 1-515-547-11

Have you also checked for head wear and bias levels? What do the
recordings sound like if you play them back in another machine? Does
the machine have a headphone socket - if so, have you listened to it
on headphones?

Also check out any leaf or slide switches related to the mechanism
mode.

Yes that's the relay RY301 that I replaced. Took care of all the
other problems I was having, except for the left channel record.
Recordings sound the same in another machine, headphone jack on the
Sony produces same results as RCA outs. Not much head wear, if any at
all. Not discernable with magnifying.
As far as bias levels, I don't know how to go about that. I suppose
you need a scope for that.

I assume that you've thoroughly cleaned the head....?

jak

Willie

"jakdedert" wrote in message
. ..
snip
I assume that you've thoroughly cleaned the head....?

jak

Willie

That thought crossed my mind, too. Also, if there is a physical force on
the tape that pushes it (even very slightly) away from the head, this might
cause it as well. Of course, if this is true, I would expect playback of
tapes recorded on properly functioning machines to act the same way.

--
"Stay calm. Be brave. Wait for the signs."

regards,

Frank Johansen
Aurora, Ontario

"Willie" wrote in message
ups.com...
I have an older Sony TC-FX4 cassette deck that plays just fine but will
not record/records weakly on the left channel. The VU's show normal
signal coming in during record mode, but when I play back, the left
channel is extremely weak -- barely showing up at all on the left
meter. In fact, you can't even really hear the sound unless you move
the balance to left and crank the volume.

At the same time this problem developed, I also had a problem with
jackhammering/machine gun sound and other interesting noises if I went
directly from record to playback. I tracked that down to the record
relay switch and replaced it which took care of that problem. I was
hoping it had something to do w/ the left channel not recording but I
guess not.

Any help would be appreciated. I don't have a schematic but maybe
someone could point me in the right direction as far as things to look
for that may be causing the problem. Thank you-


I had a similar problem with a cheap Sharp deck. It was a dirty
playback/record switch. On my Sharp, everything is mechanical (no
electronic push buttons or relays), so yours may be different.

At any rate, I sprayed the switch with Deoxit and worked it a bit. That
seemed to do the trick, at least temporarily. I have a feeling the switch
is just wearing out, like everything else on that 20+ year old deck. :-(

Jeff