iFixit - Answers With Device "Sony M-430 Microcassette-Corder"

Sony M-430 Microcassette-Corder: Take up spindle is not turning--tape comes out of cassette

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 06:33:39 -0700

I have a Sony M-450 microcassette recorder that I just bought on eBay. It appears almost identical to the M-430.

For approximately a minute the tape played properly but then the tape stopped playing. When I opened the tape door, a lot of tape had come out of the cassette. On studying what was causing it, I realized only the supply spindle is turning which just keeps pushing the tape out of the cassette and it is not being taken up by the other reel.

Would that be caused by a stretched drive belt under the motherboard? Thanks if you can help.

⟐ Commented August 24, 2021 at 6:33 MST

Sony M-430 Microcassette-Corder: The spinners aren't working

Sat, 16 Oct 2021 11:21:39 -0700

I just found an old Microcassette recorder and it worked at first, but after awhile they stopped working and now when I rewind it makes a buzzing noise. Also the little switch on the side has become loose and I can't seem to get it to stay in one spot.

⟐ Comment deleted October 16, 2021 at 11:21 MST

Sony M-430 Microcassette-Corder: The spinner not connected to the motor is really hard to spin

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 10:32:29 -0700

i have a similar model. it's not exactly the same, it's a Sony Microcassette-corder M-10, fully working if it wasn't for the roller that is not the puller that is super hard to move, it does spin on the opposide side to rewind, but when i try to play a cassette it just get stuck, pushed and activates the auto shut-off mechanic of the corder... what can i do to let it loose?

@oldturkey03 @jri_creator

long story short, the roller doesn't allow me to use the cassette recorder
you're techically correct for the motor since it does spin, but i think the belt is doing fine, if shared with the main one, the issue i think is the actual roller (the one you'll see in the clip) that is very hard to move and does quite a noise when moving

⟐ Edited by author September 07, 2023 at 10:32 MST

Sony M-430 Microcassette-Corder: Record/playback only works when tape speed is set to 2.4cm

Sat, 27 Jan 2024 19:29:07 -0700

Everything seems to work just fine, albeit the audio sounds a bit wobbly, when the tape speed is set to 2.4cm. However, when i set the tape speed to 1.2cm, nothing works and only the battery light comes on.

⟐ Answered January 27, 2024 at 19:29 MST

Sony M-430 Microcassette-Corder: Wheels on the tape won't spin

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 08:56:29 -0700

Ive already opened up the mechanism deck and replaced the drive belt on it then soldered it back up but it still won't move. Any suggestions?

⟐ Answer deleted July 14, 2022 at 8:56 MST

Sony M-430 Microcassette-Corder: How to learn about Electronics

Sat, 26 May 2018 08:02:55 -0700

I stumbled upon this site while searching for a circuit board and components diagrams for a SONY cassette recorder. Yes, the old kind!

My son wants to learn about electronics and how things work. He spent all evening yesterday tearing down 2 tape recorders, an old radio and his game controllers. He can reassemble everything by himself, but he doesn’t know the names and functions of each part.

He wants to learn about all the parts, their names and what each part does.

Can anyone give us some suggestions for those sources?

He is interested in robotics, solar and alternative energy and wants to build a solar car.

Which site(s) have thorough training, tutorials and plans to learn about electronics and building your own gadgets?

I would like to be able to search for a specific gadget and find a diagram with each part labeled.

⟐ Answer accepted May 26, 2018 at 8:02 MST

Sony M-430 Microcassette-Corder: Can I fix the speakers in my Sony m 430 microcassette corder?

Sat, 13 Jan 2018 23:48:21 -0700

I barely found this sony m-430 microcassette-corder and it works for the most part except the sound quality. When I play back anything I’ve recorded it’s mostly just faded voices with an overpowering static sound. Anyone know what I can do? Or is it time to give up? Thank you!

⟐ Commented January 13, 2018 at 23:48 MST

Sony M-430 Microcassette-Corder: Drive belt replacement, replacement parts

Fri, 02 Dec 2016 06:02:48 -0700

Where can I obtain a replacement drive belt for this unit?

⟐ Commented December 02, 2016 at 6:02 MST

Sony M-430 Microcassette-Corder: Why isn't my cassette tape not turning when I try to record?

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 15:38:41 -0700

I can rewind and fast-forward my cassette tape, but the tape doesn't advance when I try to record.

⟐ Commented July 03, 2023 at 15:38 MST

Sony M-430 Microcassette-Corder: Cassette door doesn't open when push eject button

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 05:11:40 -0700

This is actually for an m-560v but I figure it’s similar enough to other models as to be interchangeable mostly.

Anyhow, whenever I press the stop/eject button, the button depresses, but the tape door doesn’t open. You can open it by hand no problem, and there’s no resistance on the button or the door. It just doesn’t work