TSR 8 won't play/rr/ff

[jlenno]

During playback, my TSR 8 stopped, and all the lights went on. The counter reads -88.88. This lasts for a couple seconds, then goes back to normal. It does this again whenever I push play. RR/FF do the same thing.

I've removed the front panel, and, holding up the tension rollers so the capstan shaft spins, I press play, and it looks like the pinch roller arm that goes into the pinch roller solenoid just isn't sticking (I assume it's supposed to, but have never operated it with the front panel removed so I could see). It moves a little to the right, into the solenoid, but just goes back.

Otherwise, the inside looks very clean; tension is good on everything.

Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[A Reel Person]

Check the fuses.

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[jlenno]

fuses seem fine

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Thanks, Reel Person. I'm guessing a couple things, based on my rudimentary electronics knowledge: pinch roller solenoid problem (does it need to be greased? read that somewhere; rewound?); some other circuit problem, causing the solenoid not to work.

Also, noticed two screws missing from the pinch roller solenoid: a problem someone already had? Might they have messed it up themselves, I wonder. Is there a test I can do on the voltage or something?