3 Sony WM-FX493 Radio Cassette Players, First Look & Repairs.

[@nicholascampbell3259]

Thanks very much for this video. I owned a WM-FX493 for many years and I used it frequently to record audio from old cassettes to my PC, until it stopped working recently - so after watching this video, I bought a replacement belt on eBay, took the Walkman apart, fitted the belt and put the Walkman back together, and now it's working again. I'm not really a 'hardware' sort of person and I would have had no idea how to disassemble the Walkman without this video to guide me - although I don't own a spatula so I had to use a flat-tipped screwdriver instead to remove the display panel.

[@HooverLux]

I’m so happy it helped and now you have it back working again, I really appreciate your lovely comment 🙏🏻

[@rhysie9626]

Thank youuu for this video. I picked up my own one of this at a Carboot and it was so helpful to see someone else open it up!! I changed the belt on mine and unfortunately it still doesn't work properly, it will hum and vibrates and spin for a second before stopping :( alas but at least it has a new belt for if I do figure out the rest of the repaira

[@HooverLux]

Glad I could help! Let me know how you get on with it 🥰

[@KirbyEnthusiast]

Great Job buddy nice to see you got all 3 working 👌👌👍

[@HooverLux]

Thank you, they seemed to be nice and easy to work on which was a bonus.

[@sapjaroenaunsa9369]

สุดยอด​

[@HooverLux]

Thanks 🥰

[@nikos-pc9yt]

My dad owned this exact model! The radio works but the tape deck is broken, one of the screws is stuck though!

[@HooverLux]

That’s a shame as it’s probably just a belt issue, 90% of the issues with the ones I have have been belt related.

[@nikos-pc9yt]

@@HooverLux I thought that same thing, I had someone replace the belt but still no result, I managed to open the top but from there im really stuck because im scared to take out the ribbon cable without damaging it.

[@HooverLux]

Oh gosh, that doesn’t sound good, maybe corroded power connections? I have found contact cleaner on the battery contacts can help?

[@skinnyjeanis7177]

Just found the -94 model in my parents' storage shed! Very closely related, a little fancier but looks nearly the same. The beeping is JUUST as horrendous. Very much might be a belt issue on it as well.

[@HooverLux]

Nearly all the ones I’ve worked on have been just the belt thankfully.

[@SergioCcahuana]

Hi there! Very happy for having found your channel. Please, could you give me your opinion about a strange behavior my wm-fx493 is doing...it worked fine for 20 years mostly using just the radio...and suddenly yesterday it kind of crashes...it tells me there is not enough battery and refuses to turn the radio on...and some other times it turns all the display icons on...the cassette works...any idea what could've happen? And more importantly, is there a way to fix it?

[@HooverLux]

Thank you for your message, all I can suggest is it could be some dry solder or the battery contacts. Unfortunately at that age it can play up 😢

[@livinlifetothefullest2750]

My experience I've had 2 and do the same: Head pressure causing playback to slow, change over/or stop sometimes caused by different thickness tape shell moulds or even their head contact pads; sometimes the pinch roller doesn't grab the tape over time; the gears or the clutch can play up over time. There quite easy to fully strip down electrical and mechanical. I thought the non mechanical buttons in favour of soft push buttons would help in not wearing out as opposed to mechanical push button models but if you're not carefully with this model you might squeeze it over time causing real headaches. The electrical operation and design work absoulutely perfectly but the large let-down definitely is the mechanical integration and crucially interchangbilty with tape shells, the magnetic tapes themselves are fine and they just come down to the condition or age of the tape.

[@HooverLux]

Wow, you really do know your stuff, I could have done with you at my side with that video 🤣. Luckily I’ve had no bad comments and people understood it was my first time and giving it a go. Thanks for the info 🤗

[@riche03]

Just got one off eBay, cassette part started off soft I think. Thanks.

[@HooverLux]

Oooh nice! Hope it’s issue free. Well done 🤗

[@carman5567_]

I have the same WM-FX493, but instead of the cassette player's back portion that opens being silver, it's the same dark grey color on the side casing with the little lines on the sides. Is it any different, an old or new model, or what?

[@HooverLux]

Sounds nice, but I’m not sure sorry.

[@MrJoshua146]

Actually u can take out the pad from that cover tho.. But mine prob is when play they keep changing playing rev and stop over and over... No idea why.. 😅

[@HooverLux]

That sounds like belt issues or maybe a sticky belt spindle post.

[@MrJoshua146]

@@HooverLux owh maybe my new belt is to tight not the right one...anyways thanks brother

[@noelfountain]

Hey there, great video mate! How did you get them tabs released at time 13:33? I’m inspired by your vid and trying to sort my old Walkman although it’s brother the 491 I think basically the same. Any tips or help gratefully received. You have a new subscriber! Keep it up bud. Cheers

[@HooverLux]

Hi Noel, thank you and I’m glad you messaged and subscribed, welcome 😊. Let me know how you get on

[@lovestatusPB]

Can you tell what is the size of the belt of this walkman?

[@HooverLux]

I’ve no idea I’m afraid, I just did a Google search on the model number and looked under shopping.