Does anyone know how to release tapes from a dual well component tapedeck? The deck (approx. 15 years old) has never given any problems, but I ejected a cassette from drive A (left side) and put another in. The deck wouldn't play, nor would it eject the cassette. Drive B (right side) was operational, until I ejected the cassette that was in and put another one in. Then, it was as dead as side A. Now I have two inoperable tape drives and can't eject the cassettes from either. I've already broken one of the covers, but that got me no closer to a solution of extracting the tape. Any help would be appreciated!!

You may have to do some dissassembly to fix, Go slowly, don't force anything, remember where things went

Funny--I have the very same problem with the very same deck (I've left it in this condition for the past several months). Perhaps because the deck is 15+ years old?

I would suspect the belts, look for any small motors and missing belts. You may be able to manualy turn a wheel or gear till it ejects.

Thanks. It's definitely because it's 15 years old, I just wish my daughter's harry potter cassette wasn't stuck in there! I'll disassemble it and see which belts need replacing. But the important thing is to get the tape out.

If you find the gear lacking belt you may be able to turn many times to eject.
Use to be a Company PRB Recorder or something like that had belts, I will take a quick look.
I'm back, found this: New Page 1 (http://russellind.com/downl.htm)

Amazing! I just had exactly the same failure that Mgar08 and cdjunkie had, in exactly the same order. Has anyone discovered a good fix for this yet? This TC-WR545 deck has really been super and I'd like to keep it working. I don't even know if decks like this are still being sold. Thanks

canfixit, What have you tried, dissembly?

Haven't tried anything yet. Are there belts in there for sure?

May not be belts, could be gears, with dissembly you may see what needs to be turned manually to unload should a motor be defective.

I have the same problem with my Sony TC-550Z which is probably 10 years old. I disassembled the deck and found a while plastic latch that I can depress and then eject the door via the eject button (same method for either side). Once a cassette is in either side, it will not play, rewind or fast-forward. I then need to use the same method to get the cassette out. I'd love to get this working as it's been a great deck. Thanks

Any missing belts?

Any missing belts?

No missing belts that I can see but a loose or missing belt issue seems to be the consensus. I'll take it apart and advise

For Belts:
Russell Industries - Capacitors (http://russellind.com/EVG/main.htm)
And look here:
Russell Industries - PRB - EVG - EMPIRE - CONCO - DOWNLOAD (http://russellind.com/downl.htm)
Then click on PRB Line

Hi! I actually have one of these units in a box. I did plug it in once, but never used it. I think I'm going to try to sell it. Any suggestions on price and/or if anyone is interested, please let me know! I can be reached at LDonahue at practice dot com.

Here is an answer to getting the tapes out. Mine has the same problem. Remove the four lid screws from each end and lift the lid straight up. When you push on the eject buttons look inside -- just above the tabs that are pressed inside there is a small white piece of plastic above that which can be pushed downward lightly and, presto, the doors open. But that sadly, doesn't make the unit play tapes any more.

Same thing exactly. It was plaing, changed tapes and then dead... as in the same order as entioned. The wheels keep turning and it's the repetitive sound: thunk thunk thunk... then E for error comes up... dont think its motor... how about heads: cleaning / demagnetizing... any body have any idea at this point how to manage this except toss it out for recycling?

It's the belts - had the same problem. Brought a second-hand unit on Ebay as a replacement, seller said unit in good condition but after one play developed same problem. A mate stripped both units down to discover both had belt problem. 'A' deck controls 'B' deck. 'A' belt goes so both decks jamb. My problem is replacement belts! Can anyone recommend a supplier?

Bill

Bill, try the links in my Nov '09 post above.