Hi! I just recently introduced myself in introduction forum posts. Even though, I'm going to do it again. My name is Jakub and I'm 16. So let's start with the problem I have. I have a CD/audio cassette player from Philips. The model is FW362/34. It has auto reverse, Dolby B NR (only B NR) and it says on it '40W+40W Incredible Surround' (details about how device look are on the photos). Since I was a child I remember having this player (actually it was my parents player but they rarely used it so about a year ago it's in my room) and I'm using it to this day but to play CD's only on it because I actually have no cassettes but I'm planning to buy a few used ones of Mariah Carey which means that I've never used before the cassette deck. Although, a few days ago I thought why not to open cassette deck and play a cassette on it. And surprisingly in deck 1 there was a cassette! It was Maxwells cassette and was recorded probably by my dad. Later, I saw a YouTube video when somebody was telling what to do to keep cassettes in good condition, he said to fast forward cassette to the end and then rewind to the end. I started fast forwarding the cassette to the end, when I did it stuck in the deck 1! I was clicking on 'open' button but it is stuck and maybe 'eaten'? I'm new to cassettes but they seem pretty cool to me. (Second deck is showed on photos) This cassette/CD player have 2 decks for playing cassettes so I can use second one if I'll buy Mariah Carey's cassettes but how I'm scared if they're gonna be 'eaten' or stuck in player and I won't be able to open any deck to play cassettes. The other thing, the decks were not cleaned since last use so I guess cassette decks were used a few years ago by mom or dad so it probably wasn't cleaned and I'm guessing it's because of not cleaning- that's why cassette stuck in device and I cant open it. Do you know how I can prevent deck 2 from being stuck if I'll play other cassettes in it soon? I know - I'm amateur to cassettes but they seem really interesting to me and the warm sound there're giving. Also, the second tape deck is falling of and maybe I could lubricate cassettes in it by using q-tips with lubricant? I saw this on YouTube and maybe cassette saw too dry and it's why it is stuck in the machine? Also, today I used compressed gas in second tape deck to clean it a bit but I don't know if it was a great idea. I'll be really thankful and happy if I'll get the answer! You can text me privately or answer in here. Have a nice day! I'm wishing on getting the right answer of what should I do to cassette first player deck to open it and how to avoid my cassette from being stuck in deck 2 if I'll buy other cassettes btw deck 1 is for playing and second one is for recording and playing audio cassettes.
I have a Sony machine that has a very similar looking tape mechanism which also had the same problem a few years back. All it needed was new belts. The heads rely on the belt to lift them up, so if its a bit loose with age then the heads dont engage properly and the tape gets stuck in the machine. Just gotta get inside that thing and see if you can access the belts. Also, in order to release the trapped tape I would try turning the flywheel with your finger if you can and see if the mechanism slowly pops back into place. It worked for me. Worth a try. PS, welcome
Exactly, just remove the main case and look for a big metal flywheel behind the tape decks. Turn it with your finger until the heads pop down.
Thanks! I don't understand some of terms you were using but I'll search for them more and try to open the main case and then try doing something with those belts and big metal flywheel. If I'll be back home I'll definitely try it!
But do you guys know how to prevent this from happening other type? You say to change belts but I don't know where they are. I can send a photograph of first tape deck inside cause I got into it and get cassette out off it
This problem usually doesn't happen in a repaired/ serviced deck. Make sure your pinch roller is clean before playing a cassette.
Download the Service manual: https://elektrotanya.com/philips_fw362.pdf/download.html There is a lot of useful informations in it You have to open it to get to the tape mechanism from behind - there are the belts and the flywheels. Do not lubricate anything until you really know what and how ! Don't do anything hasty, you can make things much worse. Before you put any valuable tape in it, clean the heads and caspstans with IPA and pinch rollers with rubber cleaning/rejuvenating liquid (I use naphta based Ronsonol Lighter Fluid) using cotton swabs and if the belts are loose, change them. If not sure, ask.
