Sony Tcd10 Pro Ii Dat Recorder
 

The title above should read "SONY TCD10 PRO II DAT RECORDER"


These are becoming a little old or outdated however I am loath to part with it whilst it still works sort of.

If you get an "Error38", it likely is a floating guide which returns to rest by spring pressure. The pivot pin which carries it becomes sticky in its bearing and the guide fails to return to rest.

On next tape load, the tape is not picked up by this guide but passes on the wrong side of it and the pinch roller does not then engage the tape against the drive roller.

It is hard to see but an indicator is if the rubber roller and its swingarm are loose and floating instead of holding back when there is not tape cassette in the machine.

If this is happening, it will be likely the floating guide arm sticking as it also bears against the pinch roller swingarm and returns it also to the unload position.

The recommended best fix is to get it serviced properly as doing it yourself involves lots of small screws and awkward access.

If dealer service is no longer locally available, the matter is urgent and if you are of competence to tackle a precision electro-mechanical appliance, the sticky lube can be rehabilitated temporarily with a drop of electrical lube from a spray can and the guide arm moved until it becomes loose again.

All covers including front panel have to be removed and and the lower circuit board unscrewed and tilted up to get both ends of the pivot pin.

The knobs have to be removed. The small allen screws which hold them on the shafts are hidden under the rubber grips which have been slipped over after assembly.

One ribbon cable on its own near the tape transport also has to be released. This fix only lasts about twelve months before the lube dries off and the guide becomes sticky again.

There - some useless information.