I have a great RT-909 which has been running fine. The capstan motor however sometimes has not started and has been intermittant. It seems now it never starts. I have changed belt earlier when it was running so it is new.
Any hints before I go into tear-down mode would be appreciated. Thank you. Scott.

Does it start for a second then stop? If so I had this problem, there are two micro switches activated by the tentioners. I soaked them in deoxit and blew them out with compressed air and they started working.

X

Hi, thanks for they reply. Well, yes sort of, the brakes on the two reel motors release, and basically nothing else happens except the tape goes slak. holding the tensioners at left 10 oclock and right 2 oclock produces no difference. I understand what you are saying about the microswitches - I will try cleaning. I also heard there is some upgrade/change that the 909 can use on the poser supply..........but dont want to think that is th eproblem yet.
So, you actually took them out, to clean them? how big of a job is that? thank you again very much. Scott Hinkelman, Austin, TX.

Been a few years since.. I took them out completely, but you could probably clean them in place. I thought they were bad and soaked them as a last resort. I know the face plate had to come off, can't rememeber how much else had to come off to get to them.

Good luck,

X

hey thanks again. I am working on this now. I was able to it disassembled from the front and after putting a jumper across the switches - it is definately the left switch as jumping it starts the capstan motor. pulled it out and put a meter on it - it is bad. So, now I need a microswitch. I am heading out to see if I can get it someplace, but not likely. It is 4th of July weekend and a large party tonight at my house, so I believe that worst case I can hot wire across the switch and rely on the right side to do the job so I can use the deck tonight. If anyone has any ideas where I can purchase the RT-909 tension microswitches please let me know and post. thanks for the conversation. where do I get some deoxit to soak it in in hopes it will come back alive?
Scott Hinkelman

Hi scottrh and welcome to the forum. You may have a power supply problem. Measure the voltage to the capstan motor. Also try this. Power up the deck for about 5 minutes. Turn the power off and with a screw driver, touch across the motor capacitors terminals. You should get a spark indicating that the capacitor is holding a charge.
Ron

Hi Scott,
Guess I posted too late. Glade to see you found the problem. I have some micro-switches. if you want, send the defective switch to me an I'll try to match it for you.
You can PM me if you want.
Ron

Thanks you guys Ron and X. This is a wonderful fourm and I will continue to be supportive with anything I find out or know. May plan is to go out and try to find a matching microswitch. If I can not, I will hot wire the left switch as I think the right one alone will do the job temporarily. Thanks for the tip on the power supply and testing the motor start caps - hopefully I will not need to do it and this stupid switch is my only current problem. Ron, I may take you up on your offer to match up the switch if I can not find one - My email is scottrh@austin.rr.com - let me know how to contact you (I dont know what PM is....). I will post to let you guys know my results. thanks again alot, Scott Hinkelman

Ok, here is what fixed my problem - I replaced the left hand microswitch and it is good to go. If you do this, you can use a radio shack roller lever switch #275-017A. the screww holes and switch poles match exactly to the original in RT-909. However, the plastic case is different and slightly too large on the end of the lever with largest movement. You can simple take a file to it and remove dome of the plastic casing and the plastic in that area is nice an thick so you will not file into the interior of the switch. This works perfect, and even better since the lever has a roller, where the original does not. Hope this helps somebody else. rockin Rt-909. Scott Hinkelman

I have a 909 that started to do the same thing. When I move the tension arms I see the motor move a slight amount then stop. This happens with either side. At times if left with tension on the tape it does start by itself.
What upgrades to the power supply ?

my 909 crapped out. i had the same problem, as soon as i tried to put a jumper on the left clicky thing i saw a spark by the wire i was trying to jump and now none of the functions work?? what gives...AIM probedms please help!!

the solution for my deck was the speed selector... I cleaned that switch and now it works fine.

wheres the speed selecter. besides that i cant get nothing on the transport working.

Hey probe,
Welcome to AK. Sorry for your problem. You probably shorted something to ground. Check the fuse(s) on the deck. I'm not sure that there are more than the main fuse on that unit. If so, there may be one for the transport. Other than that, start with the power supply and check if you get voltage out of each post. You'll need the service manual.

Ron

http://www.dmscountry.com/babysteps.mov

can i get thiis ixed in ny?

probe dms,
You have a PM.

This thread should contain whatever you need...parts, sources, procedures, etc:

Restoring a Pioneeer RT-909 Reel-to-Reel http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=93227

Enjoy,
Rich P