Gentlemen, I have a Teac 4010s which will not erase or record. Playback in both directions is fine and overall operation of the deck is smooth. When attempting to record the source signals to the VU meters pulses correctly to the music played and the red record lights over the meters glow. However when tape monitor button is depressed it is obvious that no erasing or recording is taking place. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
4010s record problem
- Thread starter AugLeo
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Could be dirty or corroded contacts on the record relays inside the AR40S amp unit or the plug that comes from the 4010 transport could be lose or dirty. The fact that you have the red record lights glowing and the meters responding rules out the usual sticky linkage issues in the 4010 transport that prevent the record switch from engaging, so your problem is likely to be in the AR40S amp unit (oscillator not powering up). Very early versions of the AR40S amp used the oscillator power to light up the record indicators but I believe they stopped doing that in later versions IIRC.
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Thanks for your reply audiojones. Could you be a little more specific on how to identify the posible loose plug from the 4010 transport. Also I had read in another thread that if the record lights were on then the bais osicallor was functional. However, your are indicating that applies only to early models of the 4010s. Do you happen to know what serial numbers that ended with? Was hoping not to be dealing with a bad bias oscillator. Thanks again for your help.
With the machine unplugged from the wall outlet remove the 4 screws on the front of the AR40S amp unit and slide it out of the cabinet. Remove the top cover and you will see the interconnecting cables that come from the 4010 transport unit. There should be two cables, one to the back left with a round Cannon plug held in place with a wire latch (this is the head connection) and one to the right closer to the front with two threaded studs and nuts holding it in place (this is the power supply and record activation switch connection).
I would make sure that the head connection is clean and tight (maybe the signal isn't getting to the heads) and I would make sure that both the left and right reord relay contacts are clean and making good contact on all poles. Note that on the very old early models of this machine the head connections are made with simple RCA audio cables rather than the round Cannon plug mentioned above.
If you thread up a tape and plug the machine in carefully turn it on and press record one channel at a time you should be able to identify the left and right record relays by observing their actions. Make a note of which relays are which then unplug the machine, remove the relay covers and clean up the contacts with a very fine crocus cloth and some contact cleaner. Between that and cleaning up the head connections hopefully your problem will clear up.
I would make sure that the head connection is clean and tight (maybe the signal isn't getting to the heads) and I would make sure that both the left and right reord relay contacts are clean and making good contact on all poles. Note that on the very old early models of this machine the head connections are made with simple RCA audio cables rather than the round Cannon plug mentioned above.
If you thread up a tape and plug the machine in carefully turn it on and press record one channel at a time you should be able to identify the left and right record relays by observing their actions. Make a note of which relays are which then unplug the machine, remove the relay covers and clean up the contacts with a very fine crocus cloth and some contact cleaner. Between that and cleaning up the head connections hopefully your problem will clear up.
As I recall it they stopped doing it that way when they went to standard filament bulbs for the recording indicators rather than the neon lamps. I think they started running the bulbs from the contacts on the respective record relays at that point but I don't have any serial numbers to go by, just a fuzzy memory.
Craig 1943
New Member
Hello, I have a TEAC 4010S. My issue is that when I hit record button and play the left channel red light does not light up and does not record or erase. The right side works fine. I have swapped the relays and it stays the same. I'am getting signal from source on both left and right meters. When I tried it with the head connection unplugged it stay the same. What would be my next step for testing and fixing this. Before I got this far I had replace the broken capstan belt and the meter belt and removed the frozen tape wheel and got it freed up and working again. Hope you can shed some light on this problem. Thanks
rojoknox
Well-Known Member
Greetings from RojoLand!
What specific model of record amplifier is used on your deck — the RA-40S, or the later AR-40S? (They have different schematics.) In either case, the Record Select switch operates a relay, and for some reason your left-channel switch is not doing so. The RA-40S schemo shows the use of a normally-open switch, while the AR-40S has a normally-closed switch. There are electrolytic capacitors involved (not the same value between the two rec-amp versions). And, of course, the parts are named differently as well. (Aaaargh.) Will need to know which unit you have, to advise further.
By "frozen tape wheel" I presume you mean the pinch roller; yep, a common problem, and I had the same issues when I acquired my deck (stuck pinch roller mech; belt was gone — not to mention having grabby brakes, being full of Suzuki-bombs [those gray 0.1 µF 400 V "oil capacitors"], etc.).
Take care,
—
J. E. Knox "The Victor Freak"
Current caretaker of A-4010S S/N 48104 (it has the RA-40S record amplifier)
What specific model of record amplifier is used on your deck — the RA-40S, or the later AR-40S? (They have different schematics.) In either case, the Record Select switch operates a relay, and for some reason your left-channel switch is not doing so. The RA-40S schemo shows the use of a normally-open switch, while the AR-40S has a normally-closed switch. There are electrolytic capacitors involved (not the same value between the two rec-amp versions). And, of course, the parts are named differently as well. (Aaaargh.) Will need to know which unit you have, to advise further.
By "frozen tape wheel" I presume you mean the pinch roller; yep, a common problem, and I had the same issues when I acquired my deck (stuck pinch roller mech; belt was gone — not to mention having grabby brakes, being full of Suzuki-bombs [those gray 0.1 µF 400 V "oil capacitors"], etc.).
Take care,
—
J. E. Knox "The Victor Freak"
Current caretaker of A-4010S S/N 48104 (it has the RA-40S record amplifier)