I have a 1990 Camaro with the original am/fm cassette player. The radio works fine. When I insert a tape the forward/reverse arrows click back and forth. Does anyone know what's wrong with it? Is there something stuck or broken that I can fix? Is it something that can be fixed reasonably by an electronics/radio repairman? I can get one from a salvage for not all that much, but I would like to fix this one if I can. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

This happenend to my original Delco tape deck when the band broke. It was an 86 AM/FM stereo Cass w/Equalizer. Hope that helps.

If you can't fix it yourself, don't waste money on getting it repaired when you could put the cash toward an aftermarket one.

I'm probably one of the few people here who still has an aftermarket HU with a cassette deck.

I haven't taken the radio out yet. Is it easy to take the case off of it and look inside and see if it is the belt? I thought I might get a belt and put it on myself. I called around just now and they said that labor is $45 and the belt about $6 if that's what it is. Thanks, Wayne

What is this "cassette" you speak of?

It is the original am/fm cassette, rpo UM6. 1990 Camaro.

definitely sounds like a belt to me. just make sure you get the right length belt for the routing you need. should be a very easy repair if that's all it is.

I know, I was bein' sarcastic, referring to the "obsolescence" (is that a word?) of cassette tapes.

If I hadn't been in a hurry to leave the other day I may have noticed. Ha! I realize, more than ever now, how much car audio has changed in the last decade. I want to try to fix this one because it's original to the car and also the challenge. It's a place to start. In time I will probably upgrade to something more modern and useful. My first car stereo I bought and had someone help me install was a used 4 track player. Can you believe that? Anyway, thanks for the help everybody.

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Hehehe

Let me know if it's a belt on your Delco. I have a '91 and it's doing the same thing. I'm trying to keep mine as original as possible too so I hope it's an easy fix.

I took it apart. It was real easy. It wasn't the belt. I couldn't see anything that was wrong. I don't know what else would make it not play and the arrows go back and forth. If I had one that worked and looked at it I might could find something. I do know that if I push the sensor bars back like the tape would that I can still turn either cassette wheel without any resistance. That may be normal, or if it had power hooked up to it, it might do differently or there is something that doesn't let the gears engage. If anyone has any other ideas I'd like to hear them. Also what good am/fm cd would work, especially something Delco that would look original? Maybe aftermarket?

also check that the head engages on a tape properly, and all the pins/sensors that sense the tape is in the deck are functioning properly.

also, those decks automatically rewind, so it there's excessive resistance to turning, or if it doesn't know which direction the motor is engaged it will 'reverse' the tape direction

For what it's worth, I'd just buy a new one or even a CD player for a little more than what it's gonna cost to fix it. If you want to keep it original though, just go to a yard, I know that there are a couple at my local yard.

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I haven't put the radio back in the car yet. I'll do that soon and try it. From what you said, I can insert the tape and then press the top button and that should clear whatever is wrong and it will work. It's worth a try. Thanks

I put a cassette in, pushed in on the top button which is the volume button used to make the cassette change direction. The tape started playing. If I just touch the eject button it goes off and just clicks, repeatedly. At least I can make it work. Maybe I can find someone that will sell me one. Or maybe I can find out what's up with the eject button. Thanks for everyone's help. Wayne

I'm not 100% sure, but I *think* the Firebird and Camaro radios are the exact same thing. (The radio in my '90 S10 is identical to my old stock firebird radio). If so, then I got a stock radio you can have . The only catch is, the tape deck only plays in mono. It's a simple fix. You would just have to replace one of the modules in it (I forget which one. It's been a while, I'd have to look at it.)

But then again, this would require a trip to the junk yard, and if you're going to the junk yard, you might as well grab a whole one from there. If you can find one, that is. (I've never seen an f-body in a junk yard that still had a good radio in it. Buncha voulchers!)

But anywho... It's yours if ya want it. (and wanna mess with it a little).

EVA-02

Did you get my message that I sent to you about the radio/cassette? Wayne My email is wgaylord@gbronline.com

Yup, got it! Check your email...

EVA-02

JC Whitney sells original looking radio/tape players for our cars,just look at their site,or order a catalog!

Try this link, they may be pricey but they're honest and good

http://www.carstereohelp.com/