Kenwood Decks

[Rat44]

Are parts available for the older Kenwood decks?
Belts and lights.
Or do we have to use donor units.
I have been guilty of throwing away a few decks because the cost of repairs.
Seems the price to repair was always higher than replacement.

[braxus]

I have been guilty of throwing away a few decks because the cost of repairs. Seems the price to repair was always higher than replacement.

Problem is you can't do that today. Finding any manufacturer who still makes a tape deck for your car now is not easy, and if they do- its most likely bottom of the barrel junk.

So that leaves repairing the older decks who would have better performance. I'm doing this with my Pioneer 818R.

[Scorpion8]

"Stock up" is my answer. I collect good tape decks when ever I can find them reasonably. A lot of parts were common (such as internal drives) so some repairs can be done. And learn to do it yourself is the other answer. I'm not much good at electrons, but if it goes roundy-roundy-uppey-downey I can usually figure it out.

[390FE]

Well I have a Kenwood KRC-960 TOTL with tape unit, no internal amps just line outs & Dolby B & C & I picked one up on E-Bay for parts as mine needs repair (stopped powering up). As far as parts from Kenwood I do not know. Do an internet search for a local authorized service shop because as far as I know you can't buy parts direct from Kenwood unless you are a shop/SVC center.*fit**headache**mad*

On the bulb/lamp front most car stereos use the small 12v bulbs with bare wire leads like Radio Shack # 272-1092 in the faceplate. Some use 12v bulbs with insulated wire leads in some other locations within the unit, like Radio Shack # 272-1141. And some use LED's.

Now depending on the unit in question you may be able to "customize" it by changing the rubber/nylon bulb/lamp covers to a different color. These covers are available from Parts Express in 2 sizes, the small fits the Radio Shack # 272-1092 the big one fits the other RS bulb. The colors available are Blue, Green, Red, Yellow @ Orange/Amber.

Belts I would just measure if they can't be gotton anymore from the Mfg.

If the belt can't be gotten and/or you don't want to try finding one and it's still in one piece but on the stiff side let me know as I can give you a method of cleaning it that will allow it to run a little longer & no it's not some fancy, exotic, expensive product.

One last thought. If you can get the original service manual for it as well do so. Because I don't think it will be as easy to get a car stereo SVC manual as it is to get a home stereo SVC manual.

Hope this helps?

[retrokeeper]

I'm with SC8 when it comes to "building up a reserve".I have amassed a large collection of gear,including tape decks of all the popular magnetic mediums.I find most are in good mechanical condition,most all need belts and/or attention given to the tape path(i.e. cleaning,lubrictaion,dust & bug removal,etc.)Most of the vintage audio gear was built solid back then,and it shows it now,when you put in some effort trying to revive it.Belts for most decks,or "close enough" replacements are available online and via mail order.I have built-up a bunch of different belts for replacement purposes,and have a dedicated workbench with all the tools needed,well lighted,and with all necessary cleaning supplies nearby.I like tearing stuff apart to see how it works,so its a given that I'll toil away for hours figuring out how something works,patience comes in handy here.Sometimes you can tell when it's a loss cause to try and repair something,that's when I stick a label on it that says "USE FOR PARTS",and move on to the next piece of gear! Rob