I got a 2 - 3 head cassette decks, very nice. They both play cassettes great but do not rewind or fastforward. Are there any technical guru's out there that could direct me to what component has failed ???

I would say new belts and condition the pinch roller and idler's with rubber renew and you will be in buisness. Usually not a job for the faint of heart. Pieces parts all over the place.

X

Greetings Lena,
while I'm new here, I'm not new to tape decks or their mysterious ways. You didn't mention what kind of 3 head decks you had? But in most cases, the drive wheel (sometimes called a idler wheel/tire) made of a plastic wheel with a hard rubber tire, tends to wear out over time. This key component flips back and forth between the tape spool hubs (behind the cassette well) and determines whether it's Fast Forwarding/Playing or Rewinding..
As the tire ages, it begins to harden and disintegrate (literally) like a pencil eraser...The resulting slippage causes the tape deck to stop otherwise, a tape eating experience will follow..The renew idea sounds well and good, but unfortunately it doesn't last. New rubber is the only way to insure the problem doesn't come back again anytime soon.
Email me if you like? navair_tech@yahoo.com

Good luck!!:)