Hi everyone, this is my first post! Great board btw.

I have a couple of Sony TPS-L2s, which do not work. Would appreciate some help on what the following problems mean:

1.) Battery light does NOT turn on, even when new batteries are installed. Basicially, nothing works.

2.) Second unit's "Operation" light turns on, but no response. I could hear something trying to operate inside though.

I've read issues about the motor, belt, etc, but not sure what's the exact problem.

Finally, if I do diagnosis properly and would like to fix, is there a sight that sells such parts?

Thank you!

Your first one could be the problem with rust on the connections or the connections from battery compartment to circuit board has come off or corroded away.

Your second one could be a few things but it sounds like the rubber belt inside has stretched and got round the spindle or just broken belt.

Hope this is useful,

Colin

Greetings sonytpsfan.

Your 1), you may try to, if you have a universal DC power adaptor try to plug in 3V DC center negative to see if it gets going. It could alternatively provide power if the connections to the battery box are damaged.

I worry for you that your 1) had suffered reverse polarity connection which could potentially damage the circuitry - those ancient TTL chips don't fare well...

I'm guessing that when you turn up the volume to max you can't hear hiss?

I presume your no. 2)'s motor is working well, but it pays to make sure it sounds right. The motor sound should come from the top left hand corner opposite the transport controls and make a gentle low humming noise due to it being driven using pulse-width modulation.

Coolcol is correct, the main drive from motor to the flywheel is broken and that is not rare at all. I'm not particularly impressed with Sony's arrangement on this model - the belt bevels towards the motor drive shaft and this puts extra strain on it. Old belts snap easily in this machine and a new one must fit well or else it'll sound all fluttery (just test with a tape with a recorded piano - vibrato never works ;-)

The belt has been said to be 5.2" on some sites but I think 5.7" does much better.

Wow, thank you for such detailed info. I will try some of things you guys have mentioned and provide an update if necessary.