So I just recently got a Sony WM-EX631 Cassette Walkman from eBay. Its been pretty good the first month, had to replace the cassette door on the transparent case but other than that fine. Now, it seems there is an issue with the autostop/autoreverse function. The cassette was intermittently reversing to the opposite side at random, like in the middle of a song. Once I changed the mode to not reverse, now it just stops as soon as I hit play even mid tape. I’m wondering if the mechanism for detecting auto reversing needs attention. From what I’ve gathered they use some sort of transducers on a reflective gear to accomplish this. Is that information correct? If anyone knows anything I’d appreciate it.
You know what? Before I turned off autoreverse it was reversing at random and it would do so for a good couple of seconds before righting itself. Everything sounded fine, no assymetric speeds or anything. Maybe I should turn it back on and see what it does. Its set to no autoreverse right now. But I dont have the dongle so switching modes can be a guessing game. The WM-EX631 seems to have one capstan so its entirely possible the seller gave it to me and I wore it out already by being excited. At least, the service manual only points to the one. The pinch rollers are clear and clean too.
Oh, the sensor itself could be glitching, but I kind of doubt that, the springs almost always go first.
If the speeds are right, that’s almost a smoking gun for a weak autoreverse spring.
You might be able to jury-rig it temporarily, I don’t know this unit’s design, but either remove the spring and replace it with string or wire so the autoreverse sensor can’t trigger, or fix the spring itself.
Pull it and see what kind of tension it has.
Heat treating is the proper method to fix it, here’s the directions from chatgpt, it’s not wrong, usually I’ve just seen it kept relaxed and heated with a lighter for 10 seconds, then left to cool.
Thank you, I’ll attempt this the next chance I get. Hopefully I can source a new spring from fixyouraudio or something but in the meantime I’ll employ your method. I really appreciate the advice and just talking about Walkmans. When I get to it I’ll be sure to post an update here.
Np, good luck.
I miss my old Walkman from when I was young (actually think the one I used most was a Toshiba). Favorite was a Panasonic fm radio though, still love that thing, might have it in storage actually.
They were awesome for the time, best of luck with yours, ask if you have other questions!