Tascam MS-16 Transport issue: NO PLAY

[Tait Ferge]

Hi there,

I have a Tascam ms-16 that won’t enter “PLAY”. Like the Capstan solenoid wont activate and the play button will not illuminate. all other transport controls seem to be working fine with tape I.e. FF, RW. STOP, EDIT etc. I have a multimeter and soldering capability. Just looking for some help from some of the O.G.’s in here for advice on how to pin point this issue. Thanks in advance!

 

[sweetbeats]

I’d start with the switch. Test it to see if the contacts are closing.

 

[Tait Ferge]

Yes multimeter confirms with beep mode switches are all good. Any other areas to check on?

 

[sweetbeats]

I think next steps are to follow the circuit and keep testing. You have the service manual, yes? I assume the switch interfaces a logic or processor chip, so you’d want to look at the schematics and get the datasheet for the IC and then see if the IC is behaving as intended according to the state of the switch. I don’t recall off the top of my head but if the MS16 manual includes a Theory of Operation section, that will tell you narratively how the PLAY circuit works…tells you what happens when the PLAY switch closes component by component…walks you through it so you can test. They stopped writing those sections into manuals in the 1980s, I just can’t recall if the MS16 came before or after that so take a look.

 

[Tait Ferge]

I think next steps are to follow the circuit and keep testing. You have the service manual, yes? I assume the switch interfaces a logic or processor chip, so you’d want to look at the schematics and get the datasheet for the IC and then see if the IC is behaving as intended according to the state of the switch. I don’t recall off the top of my head but if the MS16 manual includes a Theory of Operation section, that will tell you narratively how the PLAY circuit works…tells you what happens when the PLAY switch closes component by component…walks you through it so you can test. They stopped writing those sections into manuals in the 1980s, I just can’t recall if the MS16 came before or after that so take a look.

Thank you sweet beats. Yes the manual has a narrative explanation of how things are supposed to work. I’ll try to follow it as best I can as this is my first attempt at diving into something like this. I will report back when I get another solid day to work on it!