More Tascam 388 problems!

[sheise]

So, a few days ago in the middle of doing some recording, my 388 suddenly stopped playing and rewinding properly. When it rewinds, with or without tape, the left reel will only move for a second and then stop, like it doesn't have the energy to do any more. And when playing, only the right reel will turn which means the tape is slow to follow and gains slack and distance from the rollers and all that. Obviously something must be wrong with the left reel/motor. Does anyone have any ideas on what I could do to fix this? Everything had been working fine before this incident. Many thanks for any help.

[A Reel Person]

first thing, is (unplug it) ... & pop the top off the 388 and check the fuses. It's likely that you popped a fuse or two. Make absolutely sure the fuses are okay before proceeding. There could be a few other causes, but it's not worth discussing until you've verified the fuses. Okay?

[sheise]

I forgot mention this, but I actually did check the fuses. One was blown out so I replaced it but the machine still will not play or rewind properly.

[A Reel Person]

but it might not hurt to check them again!

If you lift the RH tension arm, the capstan should spin CCW. I'd check this. If it doesn't spin, you may have a belt problem,... that it's fallen off.

If that checks out, then you may have lost a drive transistor to the reel motor.

I'd check and recheck the basics first. Are you sure you checked all the fuses and replaced all the bad ones? It may be worth revisiting that.

[A Reel Person]

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[sheise]

I'm in Philly unfortunately...

I actually replaced all the fuses but maybe I did something wrong. I mean it was kind of strange that one was blown but that that didn't fix the problem. I'll recheck it when i get home from work.

I did take off the back panel and the belt seems fine and it is attached. I'm not actually sure what the capstan is, but i assume that if the belt is working then the capstan is working.

Damn, this thing's giving me a headache.

[A Reel Person]

but it will be worth every effort to fix. In general, it's probably something simple.

The belt is okay if the capstan,... metal-pole-thingy that the rubber pinchwheel contacts when in play motion,... if the capstan spins CCW when the RH tension arm is lifted.

If the fuses check out okay the second time, then you may have lost one of the drive transistors to the motor. I'd not go to that assumption until all the fuses have been verified beyond any doubt.

Not to get basic on'ya, but the fuses should be popped completely out and checked with an ohm meter. Short of that, the fuse must be popped out of one half of it's clip, before testing, otherwise you might get back-feeding response through the circuit, which could give you erroneous readings.

In Los Angeles, I'll do free housecalls for people who need assistance on 388's, 38's, 244's and stuff I'm most familiar with. Philly's a bit of a commute, though.

[Herm]

Let me know if its the motor. I can help there.

[A Reel Person]

There's a pair of transistors driving each motor,... found on the rear of the heatsink assy. FWIW, YMMV.

[sheise]

Originally Posted by A Reel Person

There's a pair of transistors driving each motor,... found on the rear of the heatsink assy. FWIW, YMMV.

If this is the problem, is this difficult to repair? Probably should only be done by a professional right?

And I have no idea what FWIW, YMMV means. haha.

[sheise]

Originally Posted by Herm

Let me know if its the motor. I can help there.

Is there anyway to test to see if it is the motor?

thanks