Folks.

I've picked up a cheap GF500 with deck problems. The unit itself is in very nice condition so it would be good to get the decks back to working order.

Deck1 play head engages and the tape is turning but no audio is present. FF and REW work perfectly surprisingly.
Deck2 I think has a mechanical issue, the play head will not engage and I found a small white circular washer type item inside the box rolloing around.

If I could get deck1 working in the first instance I could then move onto the more complicated issue on the other deck.

Additionally, the radio works perfectly and audio is present.

Any help would be greatly appreciated with this little beauty.

hi docs, i've had heads not enguaging probs on sharps, and it turned out to be a simple belt change, have you changed any belts yet

Hey Geoff,

No, I've not changed the belts yet and i'm not sure if the belts I've got that were for the 777 would do (I bought an extra set).

Would you have any idea about them ? without taking them apart my suspicions are that they aren't the same. I've no clue about taking this little thing apart from the decks downwards yet so I'll delve into it in more detail over the next few days.

once you got the deck out push play and turn the fly wheel manualy and if the heads lift this will tell you if its the belt need replacing, this is only what i have experienced in the past, if you 777 belt dont fit let me know as i got loads of new belts

Cheers Geoff I'll take a look and no doubt report back for help

There are 3 belts inside these decks.

The first is approx. 70mm square and very small width smaller than 1mm.

The second belt is approx 80mm square with width approx 1mm.

The third belt is about 130mm and about 4mm width flat belt.

Having put it back together and getting the exact same result I figure that the belts are winding forward and reverse Ok that there is a problem somewhere on the board. I guess I'll use this unit for it's input only and keep an eye out on another one with working decks.

Success !! with deck2 its playing now ff and rew perfectly. Deck1 is definately a mechanical issue and seeing as I have "spare" bits that I can't seem to locate in the deck (they fell out when turning the deck over, see pic) and the play head does not locate when pressing play. Any ideas from another 500 owner would be great.

hi docs most decks have this part, there should be a hole that it slides into, this pic is not the same deck but it should give you an idea where it goes

Cheers Geoff, It really doesn't appear to be a simple one this. I think that it goes in behing the front plate of the deck so I might have to take it all apart completely. The little piece on the right looks like a snapped piece but I can't see where it goes at all on the outer mech.

Taking it apart completely I think will be a ballache as there are many springs in place and I think taking any of the plates off will incur springs being removed so I'm not too sure if it is within my ability.