Audio Systems: car tape deck, slide plate, car tape

Question
My car tape deck (standard on 1997 pontiac Grand Am) has been acting up of late. It makes a clicking noise and the tapes seem to get loose (so the singers sound like Mickey mouse). Have run the head cleaner through but doesn't seem to help much.
any suggestions?  

Answer
Miller,
I see many of these tape decks that play at a faster speed. The most common cause is lack of lubrication on the slide plate that holds the tape head/s. When the lubrication dries up the slide plate will not slide all the way into the play position and the pinch roller will not contact the capstan post so the tape speed can be precisely controlled. The end result of the slide plate binding is the Mickey mouse sound that you mentioned. CAUTION, do not spray any type of oil into the tape deck or your will destroy all the rubber drive parts. The best way to lubricate everything is to disassemble the tape deck and use a tooth pick to quickly dip in oil such as WD40 and touch the oiled tooth pick to metal to metal parts only.

TOM,
T&D ELECTRONICS
tdeser@zoominternet.net