A3340-S minor problems

  • Thread starter Thread starter Damien Taylor
  • Start date Start date
D

Damien Taylor

New member
Hi guys first post, but long time lurker.

I've had a Teac A3340-S for a few years now, I got if off the bay for an absolute steal buy it now and had it shipped over. When it got here I was amazed. It is a very low mileage unit in immaculate condition and it makes amazing recordings. However, one thing has never worked 100% and I'm hoping the analogue collective can help.

The problem is the idler cueing or lack thereof. When I pull the cueing lever down, nothing happens, I have to push the idler down to get it to move away from the pinch roller and bring out the head bypass pins. Likewise, when I push the lever back up or press play, is this supposed to snap back up? I'm assuming this is a dead solenoid or possibly extremely gummed grease. Hope you guys may have some insight, as the deck is flawless otherwise.

Would anyone be kind enough to furnish me with PDF documentation for this unit, as unfortunately it came with none.
 
pdf doc

I have the service manual in pdf format; I found it online, but I can't remember where. I'll mail it to you. PM me.

It doesn't help with the cueing lever.

If it is like my 3440, and if I understand your note, the cueing lever, which allows tape-to-head contact while in FF and RW, you push the handle UP to enable cueing. It retracts the lifters and engages the pinch roller.
 
Thanks for the quick reply jviss.

The cueing lever moves up and down as per normal, but it does not effect the idler, I have to physically grab the idler wheel myself and move it up and down after I have moved the lever to the appropriate position. I assumed this was/is something the machine is supposed to do for you.
 
First of all, there is confusion of terms being used here. The "idler" is not called that. It's the Pinch Roller and it butts up against the Capstan when in play or record mode. There is no idler roller on the 3340 or 3440 series.

If the pinch roller is not moving in and out properly, yes, it most likely is a gummed up solenoid which will need to be cleaned up and re-adjusted once its unclogged and a moderate amount of disassembly is going to be required to do this. Some electronics repair experience also wouldn't hurt if that turns out to not be the problem. Special spring scale tools are also needed to adjust it properly. So, if you don't posses the tools and the skills to do these things, there's absolutely no shame in taking the deck to a qualified repair shop and letting them get to the bottom of it...and especially so if you did get a steal of a deal on the deck in the first place, it's not suddenly going to become a horrible deal if you spent a couple of hundred bucks to get it fixed professionally.

Cheers! :)
 
Thanks for your help sir. Sorry about the incorrect terminology, it was late and I accidentally subbed turntable lexicon.

I'll take it to the technician some time, cheers :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top