Cassette/Radio - 1990 Reatta

[Guest]

Strange thing happened to my radio. A cassette got caught in there. I managed to get the cassette out but a piece of the plastic casing snapped off and remains jammed near the tiny pin wheels. Now, in order to play the radio, the tape player has to be in the FF position. I took it to a dealer and they say they have to remove dash and take out radio and send it off to be fixed with no idea as to how long this would take. Before I go thru all of that ... does anyone have any other ideas for a quick fix?

[Guest]

do a search and you will know more than you thought was possible about cassette decks, and no there isn't a quick fix

[bobwhite]

You might get the service manual at<A HREF="http://www.aaca.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=003509" TARGET=_blank> this posting</A>. Maybe a local car stereo repair shop can repair it if they have the manual. Change all the belts also, as that could be what caused the problem in the first place.<p>[ 10-12-2001: Message edited by: bobwhite ]

[padgett]

The description that was recently put together is for the separate cassette, from the description this is the integral one.<P>The Fiero store sells the three belt set for the unit in a Fiero & I used it to replace the ones in wife's Bonneville ( digital controls with equalizer). I suspect this is the same but no promises: Comes with instructions <A HREF="http://www.secureleadercom.com/store/prodinfo_pegasus.asp?number=95557&variation=&aitem=4&mitem=4" TARGET=_blank>http://www.secureleadercom.com/store/prodinfo_pegasus.asp?number=95557&variat ion=&aitem=4&mitem=4</A> <P>Rodney sells just the one belt that usually goes bad for somewhat less: <A HREF="http://www.rodneydickman.com/n51.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.rodneydickman.com/n51.html</A> - might ask if this one comes with the instruction sheet.<p>[ 10-12-2001: Message edited by: padgett ]

[Guest]

Do a search for what? .. new cassette players or cassette repairs.

[padgett]

Believe you said you had a '90. This means you have the combination radio/cassette in the dash and not the 88-89 version which used the touchscream and separate cassette. Correct ?<P>Have never had that particular unit apart but suspect it is probably the Blaupunct unit as in my wife's Bonneville (does the cassette have a single door or a double door that splits apart when you insert the cassette ?)<P>I *suspect* the piece of plastic is keeping the carriage from returning fully so that the radio thinks there is always a cassette in place & is taking audio from the heads and not the tuner. Have no idea why the radio works when you push FF.<P>This will most likely require removal of the radio from the dash. Perhaps someone with a '90 can say just how difficult this is.

[Guest]

It is the Blaupunct unit.

[Guest]

I plan to replace mine. The cassette jambed, the popping speakers,......<BR>Any recommendations on a replacement model

[Richard S]

I have had the unit out of my 90 to get some idea of how tough it would be repair the deck. You just remove the dash trim piece by prying it off the dash *very carefully* so you don't break any of the plastic prongs off. From there, you remove the unit just by taking out the screws and the wiring plugs. The tape is a semi-separate unit, though it and the radio share a faceplate. Separating the two is probably best left to the tech who is going to fix it.

[Guest BREH]

DONT FORGET the two screws in the top of the a/c vents that hold the dash trim on!!! or you will break it for shure.