Hi, I bought a faulty TCD-D7 in hope of repairing it. Described as not wanting to open the lid - I just thought it was an issue with the latch mechanism. It opens the door now, but I get the error code 01. If I turn it on with a loaded tape, it will try to pull it out and wind it. It actually does this, but stops after a second, so every time I end up with pulled out tape. I get error 40 if I do this. Anyone know what can cause the error 01?
Perhaps the tape was recorded on a newer device and therefore it has troubles detecting the position. 01 is a position issue, it can't detect where it is on the tape. Error 40 is a bit cryptic, I'd have to dig out a service manual, but it means the take up reel isn't locked. I believe that's a sensor issue. Here are two sources that might help: 1. Found this list hosted on the website rockpark, though the text file contained sensitive info of someone (mail and phone number), which I'm not sure I should share (even if it's easy to find online), so I copy pasted the list of error codes in the spoiler: Spoiler Code: The error code list is in the TCD-D7 Service Manual, in a 12-page addition called "Supplement-1" that came with my manual. It mostly tells you what you probably already know once an error occurs. Error Code No. Block Problem ============== ===== ============================= 00 No error 01 - 09 Control motor (encoder) Unable to detect the position 10 Mechanism Loading not completed 11 (deck) Unloading not completed 12 " No eject 13 " End sensor fault (take-up side) 14 " End sensor fault (source side) 15 " Dew detected 20 Drum Drum motor won't rotate 21 " Drum servo not locked 30 Capstan Capstan motor won't rotate 31 " Speed not locked 40 Reel Take-up reel FG not locked 41 " Source reel FG not locked 42 " Measure abnormally ended (whatever this means) List by Fred A. "tcd d7 error code listing" for the rockpark link containing the full file (a mail protocol). Though it doesn't contain any useful info aside of that. 2. Issue + Solution table: https://english.electronica-pt.com/repair-tips?ref=D7&marca=SONY&sintoma=&page=8 On the page marked in the link you can find a solution to error 40 pointing at the sensor, so that seems to be the right thing to look out for. If you didn't yet, you might want to get a hold of a service manual as well. Elektrotanya could be worth a shot. Just a small warning: DAT repairs are generally pretty difficult because of a high use of digital means (like sensors) and very delicate and flimsy mechanics. As far as I know even damaged/tilted helical scan readers might render it completely useless and require a full exchange of that part. Luckily I didn't have the need to do any of that fiddling yet. If you end up at a dead end, I believe some user here was pretty good at DAT repairs. I just can't recall his name right now, but if I end up remembering I could let you know in that case...
Thank you for your reply, I already have grabbed the manual but it wasn't much use, it doesn't go into details about the mechanism. Also, this 01 error occurs not only when I put the tape in - it happens also without the tape. It feels like, based on the sound, that the issue is in one particular gear going out of range - it has a rim that has a gap in it, a little less long than half of the overall circumference. I got it to be stuck in this situation repeatedly: I put the batteries in, it turns on, opens the door latch and only then after some time starts to flash the 01 error, after making a noise that sounds like a stuck mechanism.
Interesting, I got it to play for an entire 5 seconds before getting error 40 again. No actual sound. Then I got error 20. That error signals that the head drum could not rotate.
Does it look like it was dropped at some point? Maybe something shifted when that happened. The error 01 could also be related to a sensor issue, an extended issue so to speak, when it thinks a tape is loaded while it isn't. This is just a wild guess though.
I don't get error 01 that often now, more often 20. I think I know why - the tape is sticking to the head drum.