found this in the back corner of a drawer of my desk after I was tidying it up thoroughly after a long time. (It's a massive piece from the Biedermeier period with an awful lot of compartments...) I expected a disaster, put batteries in it,- how expected no moving parts, and i listened carefully - no sound ( i thought, at least to was able to hear the motor.. ). I opened it, and, how expected too, belt was goo, - but, - the motor was working. I changed belt with a simple kitchen rubber belt, - and it worked. With the expected fluctuations in speed and duller sound. Some little noises, when using the switches, and volume wheel, so i cleaned the parts, and now sound and switches are clean. It seems to be a little sensation, i remember, i got it as a gift during a Christmas party with work colleagues in 2004, then i tested it , and then i put it in the desk. (In this time i heared music on the road with a Minidisc-Player, i still have it too, it works fine... ). So i can say, this player lived his dark existence for about 20 years - and it didn't take offense. That`s so cool. I now organize new belt, will clean all the gear parts, may be oil shafts ( have to find best tipps ). Can you give some, to set it in best condition ( except changement of electronic parts, because - my equipment and my eyes ... ) ? Happy New Year to all !
Now i tried to change belt with a used one from a JVC - Radio - Recorder,( belt from counter mechanism ), and, - what can i say - it fits good, - no fluctuations anymore. But i will disassemble full gearbox and clean it to preclude issues. By the way - any idea what these springs are for : ? They look like to pick up any contacts, but there aren`t any on the opposite cover. They are combined with the external power supply . But it seems, that they have the only task to fix the socket.
I interpret it as: doesn't one of the fingers of the metal plate act as ground for the motor. It looks like there is no metal to metal connection possible as the black plastic is covering most of the top of the motor.
Now i see, what you`ve meant - yes, only the plastic cover. Sometimes i saw apparently useless parts in devices, - and they was fixed with some parts, they also were built in devices with other features. Waste at the expense of simplification... But in this case, this really could have the mission to hold the support socket on it`s place.
Yes what Emiel says But if the fingers do not touch any metal, then it is more obvious that it was cheaper for Sony to take an existing part off the shelf than to design a new part for this somewhat budget Walkman.
