Portable Stereo Repair

"Gotta have my tunes!" This Gear up-It Guide on portable stereo repair tells how a portable stereo works, what oftentimes goes incorrect, how to identify a portable stereo problem, and what parts and tools yous will need to prepare it. It then gives simple footstep-by-step instructions for how to disassemble a portable music device, how to re-solder a headphone jack, how to replace a portable stereo drive belt, and how to clean the laser on a portable CD role player. This guide besides refers to other Set-It Guides for specific problems. Here'due south how to fix portable music devices without missing a vanquish.

How Does a Portable Stereo Piece of work?

Portable Stereo Repair

A portable stereo radio with bad reception may merely demand a new antenna–or the antenna tightened.

A portable stereo is a compact version of its full-size counterpart: an amplifier, cassette deck , and/or CD player . (The exception is the MP3 player that typically comes in only a portable version.) What makes portable units dissimilar from the bigger versions is portability–they are smaller and are powered by batteries rather than through electrical cords. Some deliver sound to headphones while others use small built-in speakers.

What Tin Go Wrong with a Portable Stereo?

A portable stereo is vulnerable to mechanical problems caused by clay and moisture, then a system that is kept make clean and dry volition take far fewer problems. If the stereo uses rechargeable batteries, the problem might be in the charging organisation, especially plugs, contacts, and jacks.

The most common problem with portable stereos is depression-power or dead batteries. When any problem occurs with a portable music device, first test the batteries and clean the contacts. Then examine the headphones for breaks in the cord and loose connections that can interfere with the sound quality. While some headphones tin can be repaired, near are so modest and cheap that replacement may be more than practical.

Fix-It Tip

Like their full-size counterpart, portable cassette players need their heads cleaned once in awhile. The head is the surface that reads (hears) or writes (records) music signals off the tape. Use a cassette tape cleaner kit as recommended past the manufacturer.

How Can I Identify a Portable Stereo Problem?

All types of portable music devices:

  • If the unit doesn't work, check and replace batteries, clean corroded battery contacts with fine sandpaper, and carefully adjust battery contacts as needed to better battery functioning. Likewise spray electrical contact cleaner into the jack and wipe excess with a cotton swab. If that doesn't solve the problem, open the unit and inspect the jack for cleaved connections; re-solder connections as needed (see below).
  • If the audio is intermittent, wait for corroded or aptitude contacts in the headphone plug or jack. Too check for a cleaved headphone wire and repair or supervene upon the wire if you detect one broken. Check for a loose or broken external antenna.
  • If the sound is fuzzy, try the headphones in another unit and replace the headphones if necessary.
  • If the function buttons don't work, clean whatever dirty button mechanisms with electrical contact cleaner, then carefully lubricate them with white lithium spray.

Cassette players/recorders:

  • If the cassette doesn't play high frequency sounds, clean the head with a head-cleaning tape. If the heads await worn or damaged, have a professional technician supplant them.
  • If the record moves but there is no audio, check for dirty control mechanisms (push buttons) and clean whatever that are dirty with electrical contact cleaner.
  • If the unit of measurement damages tapes, disassemble and audit the unit (see below). If the player is driven by belts, make clean them with a cotton wool swab moistened in alcohol. Supervene upon any broken, glazed, or croaky belts. If the role player is driven by gears, supersede whatever that have cleaved or worn teeth.
  • If the unit of measurement won't record, try a dissimilar tape in the unit.
  • If the record push won't appoint, advisedly clean the button mechanism with electrical contact cleaner, and lubricate with white lithium spray.
  • If the record unit does not erase, demagnetize the erase head (see the Cassette Deck Fix-It Guide) or take the caput professionally serviced or replaced.

CD role player:

  • If a portable CD player distorts sound, clean the laser lens and the disc (see the CD Player Fix-It Guide).

MP3 player:

Refer to "All types of portable musical devices," in a higher place.

Fix-It Tip

Hang on to the owner's manual. Set aside a specific drawer or file box where all owner's manuals go. They typically offering troubleshooting charts to make fixing things easier. They also take parts and service data yous'll need.

What Do I Need for Portable Stereo Repair?

Replacement parts for well-nigh portable music devices are available from the manufacturer or from an aftermarket supplier. The tools and materials yous'll need to detach, audit, and make clean portable music devices include these:

  • Screwdrivers
  • Pliers
  • Electrical contact cleaner
  • Cotton fiber swabs
  • Denatured alcohol
  • Lens-cleaning disc
  • Canned air
  • Soldering atomic number 26 and solder

What Are the Steps to Portable Stereo Repair?

Disassemble a portable music device:

  1. Remove the batteries from the unit. Battery compartment covers typically are located on the dorsum or edge, held in identify by a pressure clip or a small screw.
  2. Remove all housing screws and unclip any tabs along the edges where the housing meets.
  3. Once you lot've accessed the device'south interior, inspect it for obvious problems or loose parts.
  4. Don't remove the circuit board unless it is necessary to access additional components you recollect are cleaved and repairable (such equally a born speaker). Handle components carefully–fifty-fifty fingerprints can damage intricate circuit boards.

Resolder a portable stereo headphone jack:

  1. Open up the device to admission the internal components (see higher up). Detect the jack and inspect all connections for looseness, cracks, or damage.
  2. If the jack wires are loose, resolder following instructions that came with the soldering iron and gun. Avert disturbing other connections on the lath.

Replace a portable stereo drive belt:

  1. Open the device to access the internal components (see above). Notice the drive belt(s). This may crave carefully removing a excursion board. Inspect the belts for glazing, swell, and other damage.
  2. Purchase verbal-replacement belts in sets. (If one is going out, whatsoever others probably will before long.)
  3. Reinstall the belt(s) in the original configuration, being careful not to damage them.

Clean the laser on a portable CD player:

  1. Remove batteries from the unit and disassemble (meet above) as needed to admission the laser lens. Some lenses are accessed without disassembly; merely open the CD top and there it is.
  2. Use canned air to blow dust out of the disc expanse.
  3. Apply lens-cleaning fluid and a cotton swab to clean the laser lens. Remove excess fluid with a dry swab.

Fix-Information technology Tip

You tin purchase a cleaning kit for cassette decks and CD players at Radio Shack or other stores that conduct electronic equipment. They are easy to apply and come with full instructions.