I just bought a Sony WM-F80 Walkman and I knew the cassette player wasn't working. It was inexpensive enough that I took a chance. The radio works and when pressing PLAY/FF/REW I could hear the motor whirring. Before going to buy it, I watched this video to see how easy it was to change a belt. Easy, right? Well, once I got it open I realized that I couldn't lift the mainboard because mine has a ribbon cable to the front EQ controls that the Walkman in the video didn't have. I was able to lift it enough to confirm the belt is broken and the motor turns. I'm used to computer clips, but don't know how to unclip this ribbon cable. Don't want to just start reefing on it with a jewelers screwdriver. heh. Pics below to help. Anyone know how to undo that type of clip?
See the black plastic on either side of the ribbon cable. Try pulling them forward. They should move about 1mm. The ribbon should then just slide out. Be careful not to damage the cable. My first approach would be fingernails, and if that doesn't work something plastic like a guitar pick. Connector Closed Connector Open Don't do what I did with this one and, dismantling it for about the fifth time, remove the board without disconnecting it, ripping the cable in half. The Walkman wasn't working before but definitely will never work again now. Luckily I have another one of the same model and transplanting the belt into that restored normal operation. p.s. One last tip. When refitting the cable make sure it goes into the right slot and is fully inserted.
One last comment. Look out for switches which have to line up with the mechanism and don't leave the flexi under the board. Here is my original thread on the WM-FX479 rebelting http://stereo2go.com/forums/threads/sony-wm-fx479-rebelting.1766/ Thanks to you lot I have just (ten minutes ago) ordered another one (with no battery contact) off eBay, in the hope of resurrecting that with the part from unit 2.
Thanks guys. That's what I figured but it's so tiny that I didn't want to take a chance and break something. Going to have to use the smallest screwdriver or blade I can find to pop that. Thanks for the link. And glad I could help facilitate another purchase!
I you intend continuing doing repairs on things like Walkmans a cheap mobile phone repair kit will be useful. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16363347...S36a3t%2BA%3D%3D|clp:2334524|tkp:BFBM8PaigKRf If you want to see really small stuff try repairing an iPod. Going back to the subject of ribbon connectors another similar type has a tab all along the top that you have to lift up to release the cable. Digital Cameras are usually full of these types of cables and connectors. If you have a faulty one it is worth taking it apart as a learning exercise.
Thanks for the info on the toolkit. In working my own guitars and amps, I have most of the tools already, but there is always something better or makes things easier. And I do have an old digital camera somewhere that I could practice on. Are there any good threads/videos on what to clean/lube when I'm in there? Mechanism, spindles, motor, etc? Also, the volume is quite crackly and the tuner is stiff. Threads/vids on best way to DeOxit? I'm waiting on a new belt from the UK, so all these things are coming to mind.
For Volume control I always try first to just move it from 0 to 10 and back 20 or more times. Then if it didn't improve I've tried IPA and same movements, that cleaned it 9 out of 10 times. I wouldn't do this if the volume is control is totally stuck, but for now I haven't had one that I couldn't move
I fix Discmans to keep my 'idle hands' busy, and I must confirm that you do not see such clips often. Actually only Sony D-10/D-100 has one of these: Page 20 from D-10 Service Manual, I use 20G hypodermic needle to pop up one side of the clip (one side is enough to release the flexboard)
I initially tried that. Works on scratchy guitar amps too. Thought some control cleaner would take it all the way and add some lube. Thanks for the tip! That would likely work the best.
I usually use the tip of a plastic spudger. Plenty of cassette Walkmans have them for the flexible ribbon cable with the head, or a dedicated audio or button board. I wish Sony had used them more in the thinner, later Walkmans for the motor connections. Likewise, Panasonic liked to solder these in place, rather than adding a daughter board with a cable to the main PCB. Space for one reason, pretty sure the most important one was cost. What Sony did not do in Walkmans, they made up for in Minidisc portables. These connectors are very common, especially the ones with an overhead write head or multiple PCBs. For some reason there are often multiple different connector types used in one device. Here is the tiny Aiwa AM-HX400: And the Sharp MD-MT20: Almost every electronics toolkit comes with at least one plastic spudger, usually a few with different shaped tips. Also screen replacement kits or your mobile phone, etc. come with them. I did use the tip of a small screwdriver in the past, but once damaged a trace because I wasn't careful enough. Therefor I also refrain from using using metal spudgers on these connectors.
