I finally got my avatar box, a gf 555

Now I need help! Everything is beautiful. but 2 problems

1.as soon as I it plug in the main deck metal dealio spins and will not shut off. take at look at pic 1.

the deck FF's REW's and plays even with a cassette, but that baby just spins and spins. The APLD works too, but it just keeps spinning even with the other deck playing, or the radio .

2. the deck control in back (see pic 2) tries to switch every 5 seconds or so. but not while the deck is playing or the other deck is playing. If you listen to the radio or just have it plugged in it just clicks and clicks and clicks. obviously something to do with problem 1

any ideas how to get that bugger to stop spinning and stop clicking?? thanks much for any ideas!

My M90 had a blown fuseable resistor that stopped the deck from working completely, but the capstan was spinning permanently (like yours).

The fix was a $0.40 part that made all well again.

I'm not necessarily saying that you are having the same problem, but it could be something that simple.

If push comes to shove, you may need to get a service manual and find a local tech willing to work on it for you...

I know of one in Tampa, but I imagine shipping back and forth would be cost prohibitive.

All-in, it cost me a grand total of $66 to have that $0.40 part replaced. Well, the tech also took some additional time to verify/adjust azimuth and tape speeds (at my request). It works 100% now. Lucky for me, I did not need any belts or a new motor.

Good luck with your GF-555!!!

thanks jt, sounds like yours was a bit of a PIA! I am hoping it is just something mechanical stuck up since the deck is still working completely, but does seem like it may be electrical...hmmm

appreciate the thoughts man.

lucky to hear you found a good tech to use, they seem rare these days. this damn thing just came all the way from FL too!

well the m90 uses that fusible resistor for a reason to protect the board from a overload or fire, jt good to hear that you got it fixed the clicking sounds like the stop selenoid activating all the time i think on one of my boxes i diconnected the selenoid just to stop the clicking noise but had to stop the tape manualy not sure of maybe a worn plastic piece that would push or unlatch the stop mechanisim or missing pin for what i know mostly the decks with those selenoids work with the music search funtions to

ramon your the bomb

i think your right, the stop selenoid just activating non stop. is there any way you can point me on where to disconnect? I really don't know what the stop selenoid even looks like or where it would be located.

Can you see in my picture or I have to dig into the box further?

really appreciate the help

well if i am not mistaken that pic that you showed has a selenoid thats connected to the deck that would be the one, what i have done is disconnect one cable to see if the click stops you will probably notice that you will have to shut the deck manually on all funtions of the tape

Stop solenoid is driven when the tape stops moving. To do this, the mecha have some sort of movement sensor (electronic)intalled somewhere.

The only sharp I have has a magnetic sensor, like the M70 or the 838 atached to the counter.
and when the counter stops (of course because the tape had stoped) some circuitry drives the solenoid.

But if I cut the belt from the counter (for example), even when the tape is moving the sensor won't and the solenoid will react.

That is: look for the movement sensor somewhere and be sure that it moves when the tape moves.
and no dust is betwen the magnet and the sensor.

Disabling the solenoid is another solution, but you will loose the full autostop feature.

thanks success, lots of very good info in your response as always

will look for a movement sensor. i won't get more drastic and disable the solenoid unless i get stumped as this is a very clean box.

i notice now also on deck 2 i have the destroyed capstan boot that is on so many sharps gf threads! This seems very common with these.

anyway will update if i get anywhere so maybe someone else can use the info.

Just an update for anyone interested

Got it working again . Had the famed goopy capstan boot on one deck which was causing the main driver wheel to push slightly against something which seemed to trigger the stop solenoid.

Cleaned the muck with goo gone as I found recommended in another thread. Replaced the boot (sort of, need to find the right tube still) reassembled and voila, she works! No more hideous solenoid switching.

Thanks for the help on this one everyone, the advice always gives me the balls to dig in. Next time I will shoot some picks to be helpful to someone else in the same situation.