anyone own a PIONEER rt-1020l reel to reel?

[VESSEL2020]

i was wondering if anyone out there owns a PIONEER RT-1020L reel to reel,..
i have one, but there seems to be a problem...EVERYTHING works on it,..except for when i try to use to the front input mic jacks ..or the back RCA jacks,..when i try to input something in these jacks,..it's like the "LIGHTS ARE ON BUT NOBODY'S HOME"...i took it apart (i do have a little knowledge of electronics)..and all the fuses are good, motor is good, tape heads look excellent (have been demaged,cleaned),..just can't figure out why it isn't passing any signal?..cleaned the rca inputs as well as the front contact inputs,..just can't figure it out. the recorder is in BEAUTIFUL condition, has the original hubs and sheets, all meters light up, fast forward & rewind all good, head alignment all good, NO noise coming from the inside at all.
i was just hoping someone out there, has this same deck, and maybe they would have a clue as to what might be the problem?..don't really have the cash to have it serviced right now, and my soldering skills are pretty up to par, so i'm willing to have a go at whatever might need to be done...seeing as i have had some luck repairing other vintage audio items before..but, this one has got me stumped.

 

[The Ghost of FM]

This may be an overly simplistic suggestion but have you checked the monitoring switches which select tape or input? If you have those on the tape position, no input signal would show up on the meters.

Cheers!

 

[VESSEL2020]

yes, all switches and knobs checked

This may be an overly simplistic suggestion but have you checked the monitoring switches which select tape or input? If you have those on the tape position, no input signal would show up on the meters.

Cheers!

yes, i did check every switch and knob several times, and tried several different 1/4 cords / rca cords...but, thanks for the reply anyway, appreciate it!

 

[jjones1700]

I don't have the 1020, but I do have the 909. I'm not sure what features are similar between the two, but I do have a few things that could trip me up on mine.

Record Mode on/off
Monitor tape/source
Input mic/line

I can't imagine that the input electronics are totally wasted if everything else works well. Chances are, you'll stumble across the solution by accident, like we all have at one time or another.

 

[VESSEL2020]

thanks for the reply JJONES,...but I have extensively tried EVERY possible, knob, switch, in every which way possible for (3) days in a row,..but still no luck!...i really want to get this recorder goin', because i'd much rather the analog TAPE world over recording in a D.A.W. - LOVE the sound of a great tape recording,..i personally don't think anything else compares. yeah, digital has it's benifits, but i'd really like to mixdown to 2 tracks on this 1020L.
I just might have to wait until i can get the funds to get it serviced properly, ..because it doesn't seem like anyone out there may have the answer to this one. MUCH THANKS anyway...appreciated!