Audio Systems: Problems with a Car Radio, chrysler concorde, rewind buttons

Question
Good morning!

I have an AM?FM Cassette Radio in my Chrysler Concorde (1998). The problem: while listening to a cassette, both “Seek” and “Fast Forward/Rewind” buttons work in a very weird way. It means, when one of the buttons is pressed, the process of seeking or rewinding stops after 1-2 seconds. And the play
Goes on again. However, sometimes – but seldom -  both functions work well: the cassette is rewound to the next song (in case of the Seek-button) or just wound indefinitely (in case of the  Fast Forward/Rewind –button). This problem does not seem to depend on cassettes themselves.

What could be done?

Thanks a lot.

Best,

Alex


Answer
The mechanism is getting old and probably has too much tension on the spools inside the cassette.  It needs either a good cleaning round all the guide posts and capstan OR a realignment of the tape transport mechanism.  Either one requires the set to be pulled out of the car, opened up and adjustments made inside.  It requires special test equipment to make internal adjustments.

If it is badly worn it may be difficult to repair it.

If you use a cleaning cassette it may help.

If you clean yourself, be very careful of the chemicals you use as most alcohol based fluids can do permanent damage to the mechanisms inside, especially the playback heads.

Hope this helps.

C