Nakamichi BX-2 will play a tape for 30 seconds but takeup reel doesnot function will REW slow and FF slow ...Ihave a new drive belt but it looks like a motor is not working with the worm gears WHAT DRIVES the TAKeUP Motor/reel

It's not seeing the takeup reel turning.
Either the takeup reel isn't turning or the takeup reel sensor has malfunctioned.
Check the belt to the takeup reel by doing a fast forward.
Will it fast forward? and is the takeup reel spinning during playback?

FF and Rewind are functions of the reels, not the capstans. If the reels fail to rotate in response to capstan-driven tape motion the unit will assume a broken tape or end of tape. I think you have a mechanical reel drive system failure. Take it to a shop for evaluation and correction.

Is the tape actually moving when you initiate transport commands? Most machines are smart enough to know something isn't moving when it should be. That it fails in BOTH FF and REW suggests the reels aren't moving to take up slack. Cheap machines use glorified rubber bands as drive belts for the reels. Without specifics re: make/model we can't get too precise with an answer. I'd have a pro look at it.

seem problem with the gear belt.

Hi saabangerman

The unit sounds like it has a take up clutch or takeup idler problem. Check all the drive assemblies in the unit. Remove the cover from the front of the transport inside the cassette well, and check the condition of the idlers and reel base drives. The counter belt can also gatherup and prevent the takeup reel from working correctly, or fire the auto stop mechanism preventing it from playing, although that sounds to be ok in this case as the unit will FF and REW ok. The takeup drive is supplied by a different drive idler as it requires much lower and more controlled torque. This unit was always considered to be a great tape deck and is well worth a bit of attention for restoration. You can get a new belt kit for $19.00 from here

I am more than happy to answer any other questions you may have about it, just give me a hoy :) Thanks for using FixYa, If you consider the advice I have given you as sound, a FixYa rating is a great reward for my efforts to help you. Cheers.

regards
robotek

This may be a reel sensor problem, or the rotation of one of the reels is stopping for some reason. Most of the time, these faults are mechanical. There can be worn belts, or drive wheels, or gears, and etc. Sometimes there are faults in the electronics where a sensor is not being read properly.

The unit should be properly checked to evaluate the fault.


Jerry G.

I had sorta the same problem and I just fixed it. Mine was making clicking noises and jerking the tape causing speed variations and pitch changes, Uggghh. The FF, Rew, and take up functions are not belt driven like most decks. There is a little idler wheel between the motor and the take up axle. Take the whole transport assembly loose from the front of the deck...slide it back 3 inches . Take off the ground wire screw, and 3 screws holding the transport mechanism in place :...1 screw on top, 2 on bottom. Take the black front faceplate off of the drive...2 little screws. This exposes everything.The little idler wheel has a press on tiny,tiny piece of clear plastic holding it onto its little axle. Be hella careful. Use a tiny eyeglass screwdriver to pry it up and off. Dont lose it. Pull the idler wheel off. The rubber has hardened and slips. Pry the rubber rim off of the white plastic pulley using the tiny screwdriver. Put on an O ring that just fits. Scruff up the perimeter of the O ring with 220 sandpaper, Easy does it. Idler wheel goes back in, press on the little plastic retainer, put the black metal plate back on( 2 screws at top), slide the transport mechanism back into the front panel, secure with 3 screws, ground strap, replace cover. Clean heads, demagnetise, badda bing, badda boom.

try firmly banging the cassette onto a table top(with reels flat) a few times, then ff right through and rew a couple of times. this will layer the tape more evenly and hopefully allow the mechanism to play it. the takeup reel or autostop mechanism may be failing if the deck does not have enough torque to carry the tape and may require belts replaced or dried grease removed in the transport.

it has probably thrown the capstan belt and will require a new belt fitted. the transport relies on capstan rotation to engage play. a separate reel motor operates ff/rew and takeup funtions