Technics RS-TR265 ... gone mad!

[Wassock]

Can anyone help? The above machine isn't as old as the rest of my gear, but it's gone crazy. The controls seem to do what they want when they want, and when it does decide to play music, it may suddenly stop after 10 or 20 minutes! I'm worried that it must be a centrally-located logic fault, but (being a poor pensioner), I'd like to know if anyone knows of any 'quick fix' routine or trick before I have to get a professional on to it.

[Scorpion8]

Are you techie-en'uff? I'd open her up and look at the main PCB board. If there are modular connectors - remove them one by one and spray the connectors inside and the PCB pins with DeOxIt spray. Also do all the rotating or sliding controls as best you can. There may be a simple loose connection or corrosion has developed. Also blow out and spray any leaf switches you see in the tape mechanism. Finally check the belts. Sometimes a belt may slip and screw up the logic sequence and make it all fubar.