SONY Walkman Repair

Mark repairs a 1994 SONY Walkman (WM-EX512) that will not play, even after a new drive belt is fitted. A tricky fix of the mechanism is required.

[@pjeff18]

What can I say other than wow and thank you ! This is my Walkman. Purchased with my pocket money when I was 15 from that famous catalogue store and cared for like nothing else until 3 years ago I put in a Panasonic zinc battery and forgot about it . I left it under my hifi cabinet and stumbled across it this year to find a leaky battery . The rest, well you can see for yourself ! Mark - your skills and patience are like no other - massive respect and a huge thank you 👍🏻 Paul

[@madtopp]

yep i agree with you he has done 2 of my hi-fi items one being the pioneer sx550 and he blew me out the water with how he went above and beyond with the repair i am waitng for the repair video on the other one i gave him and i recently gave him something else to sort out and he is a great guy as i have had the pleasure to meet him in person and he always has time for a chat when i drop of stuff to him

[@tomthackston1442]

Remember to take the batteries out.

[@ingo1568]

@@madtopp you are a lucky guy, congratulation to your functional Walkmann

[@2Sorts]

What was the cost to get this fixed? Just out of curiosity.

[@coriscotupi]

Never leave alcaline or zinc (you've got to be kidding me) batteries in any device when not in use. It's what kills them all.

[@mikemmikem2758]

You have to admit that the Walkman is an ingenious piece of engineering.

[@randomtux1234]

No one does it like Sony. Always streets ahead

[@imcrow6674]

if you think thats insane go look up the service manual for the wm-7, they were doing many lines designing that one (and its glorious)

[@coastwalker101]

@@randomtux1234 I have a JVC one with two motors and a microcontroller from 86 the JVC CX-R7K R7 AM FM, Sony were not the only players in the field.

[@comsartoo1722]

You never seem to get discouraged. The world needs more upbeat people like you 👍

[@78rpmblog]

There are many reasons to praise these videos. First of all, you seem like such a pleasant and humorous guy, second, it's so educational to follow every step and even when mistakes are being made, we learn from them as well. Cheers!

[@stripemaster9]

Battery companies used to be liable for leakage. Time to clip the wings of corporations. Excessive margins, consumers suffer.

[@GMan269]

Courageous with nerves of steel tool.

[@montysonful]

happiest tech in the world

[@ajithmv7465]

​@@stripemaster9l

[@johng.3740]

I have to give kudos to Mark for his incredibly thorough repairs, he is not reticent to perform very deep, detailed repairs. He's always smiling and smirking, smiling and smirking at the camera ☺️

[@capelhanbury-tenison1288]

Amazing attention to detail. There are very few people who would bother with repairs like this today. Well done Mark.

[@nevillegoddard4966]

@capelhanbury-tension1288 No doubt about that! I wonder what Mark charges his customers for these repairs on this 'ancient' equipment though? He's probly spent 6 hours on this Walkman, so at normal rates that's gotta be easily $300 - $400, or £150 - £200? Are these 'love' jobs where he basically repairs stuff just cos he likes repairing stuff, or are these repairs just for friend's stuff? Or does he charge normal rates & his customers are prepared to pay way more than the unit is worth, just because of the sentimental value or 'uniqueness' of their device? I mean, it's always great to repair something to keep it out of landfill & extend the lifetime of it, but there are economic considerations I'd have thought!

[@Yukatoshi]

he sucks

[@russellforrest1730]

OMG! When I was doing this kind of work, years ago, we had a deadly acronym BER = Beyond Economic Repair. A repair like this makes no business sense at all, but completely fascinating to watch! Had my heart in my mouth when you started to lever up that actuator arm, easy when watching, but thought this way be dragons... Wonderful fun, to watch anyway... more than 30 mins just flew by. Thanks so much for sharing! Been binge watching all the fixes - so impressed with your skills and patience! Kudos!

[@hans-joachimschroder5469]

If there would be a real Starship Enterprise and the board engineer would not have been found yet, you were the perfect "Scotty" and nobody else! My greatest respect for both the technical and the human abilities!

[@calebcourteau]

I just stumbled upon your channel today and have been binge watching your videos. Your skills are extraordinary but what really makes you stand out is your upbeat and cheerful personality. You have such a great attitude even when confronted with really difficult repairs.

[@davidsmith-ih2kk]

I hope you're going to show this video to the owner, Mark. That's not just a small amount of battery leakage. It's very large, and it looks very yucky. You are incredibly skilled Mark to do all this and not just electronics you are a mechanical repairer as well. Love watching a professional at work and you are certainly in that category. Thank you for sharing a part of your vast skills and knowledge with us Mark, it is very much appreciated, and just so incredible to watch you work Keep up the good work, Mark. Great videos.

[@marnav9205]

If this guy cant fix it, it cant be fixed. What talent and patience. Really enjoyable.

[@SW-ci9zv]

Have to repeat what others probably have stated - Mark's patience and ability to stick with a problem and see it through astounds me. This video really highlights his true ability to solve problems. Great presentation as always. The word genius in many ways applies. I have fixed things in the past but would never gone into the intricate details to try a repair like this.

[@TechCrazy]

Looking at the miniature electro mechanical wonder that is the Walkman. I wouldn’t dare attempt that repair! Amazing job.

[@MultiKs22]

Mark you are gifted with your hands. other people could learn your placid ways of understanding and fixing of electronic items

[@NotXboxiie]

i dont think i ever got so hooked into a repair channel... i only learned about it yesterday and have not touched my Xbox controller as long as am used to. Mesmerizing from start to finish.

[@coastwalker101]

These Walkmans were the pinnacle of mechanical and electronic consumer engineering of the time. They are amazing. Now we have a chip, a battery, touch sensors and a couple of sockets to do the same job - all of which has probably disappeared in the cloud by the time you read this. I have a pile of them I used to take on skiing holidays in the 80's and 90's to record local radio and to rock to on the piste. I imagine the belts have all gone by now but I might take a look sometime before I croak.

[@robburbrink8277]

Mark is a master of the manual solder sucker, those skills are incredible! What an amazing video Mark, thank you so much for the time and attention you put into each of your projects. By far my favorite repair guy on KZbin, I tell all my buddies about this channel

[@jabberwalky1965]

The fact that you can remember how it all goes back together is what amazes me. Always enjoy the videos

[@fretlessfender]

Most special in these walkman is the fact that they work on 1 AA battery! As always, well done!

[@marktubeie07]

You are a better man than me tackling this, it's a nightmare inside - however - boy this was fascinating to watch, week done!!! Miniaturization at it's best.

[@jhareng]

Too right i would have slung it in the bin being impatient. There is another use for alcohol, who would have thought.

[@jasonschubert6828]

These videos are so therapeutic! Watching something that would otherwise be thrown in the rubbish being revived, and with such attention to detail and a happy demeanour! 😃

[@rvmeushaw]

Absolutely terrific job of diagnosing the problem with the deck. You have an incredible amount of patience. It's interesting to see what kind of damage can be caused by a leaky battery.

[@quanchyplimp]

Mark, people like you, are most certainly worth their weight in gold. Your abilities are extremely admirable in my eyes/mind. I wonder how much stuff I've binned over the years, when someone like yourself could repair it for a princely sum of sterling.

[@MrPnew1]

Fantastic work Mark, no electro mechanical device is too hard for you to fix. Very inspiring

[@RobGMyMX5]

I've learned something with every video I've watched of yours. Today's lesson - put little jumper leads on things if you need to test after you've desoldered the board. Why have I never thought of that! Love your channel, keep up the great work 👍

[@benhursitges59]

Good job Mark. I love watching you repair this electronic equipment. I don't miss any of your videos. Greetings from Barcelona. Xavier.

[@juanramonmartinalbo3886]

Señor... Mi enhorabuena por sus vídeos y mi agradecimiento por su generosidad al mostrarlo como lo hace. También le felicito por su buen humor y desenfado en su forma de trabajar. ¡Desde que descubrí su canal me he quedado enganchado! Muchas gracias de nuevo y un saludo desde Madrid.

[@quantumleap359]

Unbelievable watch making skills as well as electronic skills! Good job Mark!

[@nicholassheffo5723]

Great video. So much to fix on the simplest thing. Impressed with your skill and patience.

[@michaelclutton8446]

I enjoy repairing stuff, but this was way above my pay grade. Your a smart guy Mark, very interesting video.

[@Raptor50aus]

Great persistence with this repair where most would have given up. Your light hearted happy manner makes for a great watch too :)

[@felipecucciardi8201]

Great repair! A walkman is a very delicate and diminute item. I specially love the fact that the a problem is turn in a smile, like a joke. Good point of view, a great life lesson.

[@techtopics5782]

When I'm having a bad day I just watch your videos because your smile and laughter makes the world a brighter place. I love your videos Mark. Keep it up!

[@justicelut]

Pleasure to watch you work and listen to your banter Mark! Well done!

[@vernonwright7904]

You intimidate me....skills! This is the electronic-engineering equivalent of base jumping. Bravo sir....

[@deemstyle]

What an incredible piece of engineering- and seriously fantastic repair skills!

[@davidfrank6666]

it is like a pocket watch. holy cow.

[@rods6405]

Yep I used to fix Sony gear to this level, all totally replaced by solid state I did try to warn them!

[@iantyler4045]

You're tenacity is amazing. You just keep going untiIl you nail it. I would have swept into the bin once I saw the leaky battery. Great video.

[@laoluu]

One should think they finally developed a non-leaking battery. Leaking batteries are an endless hassle, especially in clocks, remote controls etc. When the thing stops working, it's usually too late. You, sir, are an excellent technician and repair man. Hats off!

[@donlunn792]

Mark as your customer/Owner of this Walkman says,your skills and patience are like no other. Obviously this Walkman has a sentimental place for him. I have a Texas Instruments calculator which has a special significance for me. And it still works perfectly apart from the display is degrading slightly. You are next level electronics guy. Love the Channel,so glad I found it. Your Channel should gain subscribers very soon. I love electronics,but don’t have your skill level. Keep up the good work. 👍

[@JamesE707]

Take my hat off to you Mark for tackling this!

[@patrickjmorgan]

Persistence pays. Well done, Sir! Well impressed with your test kit and a decent psu.

[@anndeefam]

it's amazing how many consumers don't realize the damage batteries can do, some of those old walkmans are very valuable.

[@808music3]

Very satisfying video mark!👍

[@merlin5476]

The happiest repair man out there👍 well done & lets not forget the people that actually designed that too.

[@gavinmurrell3415]

And just as importantly, the people who built and assembled it

[@sebastianiangrasso764]

Was looking for a repair video for my Walkman and found your Chanel. Spent the next 30 min absolutely mesmerised. I found myself saying that it can’t go any further, but you did your tenacity is admirable thoroughly enjoyed it. Fortunately my problem is only a new belt required which is routine maintenance compared to what you did.

[@mikem9403]

Absolutely amazing work!

[@paulwesson1740]

Seriously impressive and brave repair!

[@anthonydenn4345]

Nice job Mark, it's amazing how the corroded battery just eats through the plastic and embeds itself. I like the way you calibrated it. It looked like you used a tape with a set frequency, then just tuned it to match that recorded frequency.

[@anatolyuser292]

Вы уникальный мастер! Спасибо вам что делитесь опытом и согреваете наши радиоэлектронные души. Вы все ремонтируете. Я когда был молодым в СССР, также пытался все ремонтировать, но тогда возможности были очень маленькие , не было интернета , поэтому информации очень мало, практически не было запасных частей. Сейчас все есть, но очень мало умных думающих мастеров. Наступила эра одноразовых девайсов. И если нужен ремонт, он заключается в замене блока , на уровне детали современная молодежь не умеет

[@jimkolstad3776]

Just love watching your videos!

[@maurovitale1137]

Excelente reparaciExcellent repair - I have its brother WM-FX513 and it is a very good Japanese machine. I changed the strap and cleaned the entire mechanism and the heads and capstans with isopropyl alcohol. Then I adjusted the speed and that's it. It came back to life in 1995. Thank you for the Video and for the love you put into your work. I like it and I always follow you. Because nothing gives you up for repairs. Thank you very much, greetings and hugs, from Argentina!

[@carissa6164]

Hi, I wonder how long is the belt for WM-FX513? I have the WM-FX571 one and I’m looking to buy the belt from stores in my country bcs the shipping fee from US/UK to my country is really expensive

[@markbrum]

Another fab video - I bet the owner was delighted. My heart was sinking for you half way through but you're a genius. I am definitely coming to you if one of my beloved gadgets breaks!

[@dariusn5815]

I really enjoyed troubleshooting and repairing the device Well done 👍🏻

[@besimbaftiu]

You are so passionate about your work and I appreciate that so much, keep doing what you're doing. Blessing from Kosovo.

[@simonbeasley989]

Very nice, thorough restoration!

[@AmericanSoldierSioux1969]

And I've only got so far as to just replacing the belts in these Walkmans back in my "teenage" years. Everything else was pretty much all Chinese to me, but yet always fascinated on how they worked...the wiring, soldering, cogs, mechanisms, etc. If I had taken that Walkman apart the way you did, I couldn't remember where all those parts went.....knowing me. Plus, I don't have the patience anymore, lol. But anyway, great job Sir! Kudos! Very smart and always with a confident smile, I like that! I have the Walkman model number WM-F18 from 1985 and I have no clue on why it quit working completely, battery AND electric power. But I only keep as a momentum and place on a shelf of my 80's toys and radios I had through the years., nice collection. Thank you for sharing and posting this Mend It Mark...that was fun to watch! I miss my Walkman days! We could all use your smile in these times! 😁👍

[@gijsyo]

Hi Mark, I've just found your channel and I love the videos. Much respect on how you repair all these machines by logic. Such a fiddly repair this one.

[@chillidogkev]

Crikey...what a repair! I don't think anyone else in their right mind would ever bother trying to resurrect something like that as it just isn't worth it. However, repairs like this are prime KZbin video fodder and very entertaining and watchable they are too 👍 Nice to see your subscriptions heading skywards, you definitely deserve it.

[@DeePaignall]

Not worth it?? These cost hundreds today - if you can find one! Is the alternative is to throw it away? There is no 'away', just the environment we pollute.

[@chillidogkev]

@@DeePaignall Really 😊... Well, I can't even remember the last time I listened to anything on a cassette or even wanted to. If I did have a need, the last device I'd think of for that purpose would be something like that Walkman. Btw, I have an old Sony CRT television in my garage that's in perfect condition and if you can carry it you are welcome to come and take it away. 625 line low resolution goodness just waiting for a new home 👍

[@DeePaignall]

@@chillidogkev "Sooner or later, everything old is new again". Cassettes are making a comeback - crazy but true - and if you'd heard that walkman play it might impress you more than a 128bit mp3. 'Retro gaming' is a thing too, so someone somewhere would prefer your crt over an OLED to play their video games on, well done for keeping it! Saving devices like these is fun and saves a bit of history too - personally I recommend it.

[@davespagnol8847]

@@chillidogkev I wouldn't buy music or record it on cassettes, but I have a load which have been in my brother's loft for years. Getting something to play them on, in reasonable condition, would allow me to play them into my computer and digitise them. Sadly, new cassette mechanisms are rubbish. The solution would be to buy refurbished. Mend-it-Mark's videos are not just fascinating, they show what can be done.

[@davidroberts3429]

Really enjoy your videos. Leaky batteries have a lot to answer for. I could certainly disassemble, but I’d never be able to put something like that back together!

[@sahir3658]

Your videos are super cool Mark, I've watched every single one of them, I also do soldering for a living.

[@sidjoyce5426]

Mesmerising ..Great stuff Mark.

[@cseresznyessandor237]

you re a magician.Asophisticated nice job with great amount of knowledge and passion.

[@chrisyates8115]

Best camera work ever!

[@L.o.u.i.s..]

This is the equivalent to a computer controlled carburator! Amazing all the work that went into that piece of history.

[@movienut]

Great job Mark. I have a beautiful sony walkman from 1988-89. It was dropped unfortunately years, and years ago, and some of the button were pushed in and one broke off. Would love to get it fixed. It's a sony WM-R202, in silver. A real beauty when it was bought. Thanks for sharing your video. Cheers.

[@goodknight37]

Fantastic video. Looks like a well built model

[@fosterb247]

Back of the net - Great work and a bit of old tech saved to live again 👍

[@josemesquita603]

Thank you for sharing your excellent repair series. I use vinegar to neutralize the battery basic electrolytes from the plastics and metals. Then scratch the oxidation at the end.

[@Si1983h]

Cool, keep looking at these. I had one as a teenager and loved it… I bought it after being disappointed with a Discman.

[@Radiocruncher]

Great work Mark. I’ve recently done one with the same mechanism and it had some nasty battery damage in exactly the same place. I’ve only recently discovered your channel and your videos are very good. I gave you a shout out on my livestream last Sunday so hopefully more people will discover you. Cheers Graham

[@johnmarchington3146]

One could almost say it's a masterpiece of miniaturisation, with all those nylon (I presume) gears. What is doesn't allow for, unfortunately, is a decent flywwheel to provide speed stability. Battery corrosion is certainly the bane of portable electronic devices. Another marvellous video, and thanks once again for showing us how it's done.

[@nevillegoddard4966]

@johnmarchington3146 Actually John, each drive capstan in this Walkman has a probly 1 inch diameter disc as part of it, & these become the flywheel; one for each direction of travel.

[@chloemarietaylor4036]

I had this model of Walkman back in the mid nineties. I seem to remember it had similar problems. While pretty handy repairing stuff I took one look inside and failing to dismantle it I gave up. Seeing this video having to desolder stuff to dismantle is probably where I got up to, without the internet or a service manual I had little chance. It was a great unit, auto reverse, track skipping etc.

[@noahman27]

so cool. thanks for this video. i had the 1st gen walkman back in 1980. looooooved it.

[@1975Loeven]

Nice repair, i was a bit nervous when you started bending that arm though 😀. Very educational for when/if i'll need to dig in mine some day. I do have a couple of these myself, well mine are the EX510 (without remote), one mint condition in box and one kinda rough used. I've replaced the belts in both, extremely easy, like a 10 minutes job at the most. What's sort of tough is to find the proper 0.6mm belt for them. The model 510 was also my very first "real" Sony Walkman back in 1994, but that's long gone. Great work man, i always enjoy your work.

[@samwright8599]

It's a joy to watch you😊

[@WouterB76]

Despite the mistake, this is fixing a Walkman like a boss Mark!

[@rodneydelaney9227]

Got one of these in the loft with the the same problem. Note to oneself: Don't leave battery in. Great video Mark 👌

[@tambias]

Great repair,amazing the damage a leaking old battery can cause,new subscriber here.

[@MrAlextreme31]

Hi, technically, it is absolutely amazing! Small and very good made. Good to repair this. The thing is, today no one would pay (for the time spent) to make it work again. This how people think, they want new stuff and new stuff work not as good as 80's or 90's devices. Thank you Mark, every morning while having my breakfast, I enjoy your videos.

[@tamasgal_com]

Very well done Mark! I love watching your videos :D

[@CoderDad]

That was a gutsy repair to take on. Fair play to ya!

[@theshootindutchman]

Boy sir, you've got far more guts to take all of these tiny pieces than I would!!🤪

[@daffyduxxx]

Fascinating process, Dom. I never knew so much went into panel making. Thank you for showing how it's done..I think they look fabulous.

[@theelectronage]

Awesome repair. Thanks for the education.

[@kubicajakub]

Nice, had same model, now I have EX-622. I've subscribed today just to see walkman repair later today, awesome video :-)

[@MrBanzoid]

Hi Mark... I wish I was as adept as you are with a solder sucker! Cheers and thanks for yet another highly watchable video.

[@buraktokgoz41]

Sony you are really genius... i lost myself in small pieces.... u r great .... Mark u r great too...

[@raceingdemon6464]

Nice Work Mark You Make it Look So Easy Had a Walkman 2 Back in The Day Lovely Sounding Bit Of Kit Thanks For Uploading Mark Regards mike.😀

[@kendom33]

Another great job Mark. I would not have attempted it......even back in the day

[@darkstatehk]

I've got that exact de-soldering pump, it's from RS and I got mine in the 90's. Replaceable nozzle, superb performance.

[@David-rr6sf]

fantastic video mark , very entertaining.

[@1969longshanks]

What you did there was nothing short of a miracle

[@1971VoiceoftheMummy]

Excellent Patience! Great to see another tinkerer out there!

[@leechilds3725]

These video repairs are fascinating 👏 . I know where my hi fi and walkman will go for a fix !

[@petemuzz69]

Just found both my walkman s and both not working after putting new batteries in so it could be same problems but I could never do what he has done well done and a first class video

[@marksgmail66]

Fantastic troubleshooting and skills. I enjoy your videos so much. I had the original Walkman TPS-L2 back in '79 and I used to get people staring at me as I walked to work wondering what I was doing!

[@danchesney631]

Didn't expect a watch repair video but, cool!

[@rongeernaert1208]

Nice Walkman repair and battery's give's mostly problems when long time not using !

[@JoopKomkommerShake]

Nice piece of Sony engineering.

[@luissaavedra2995]

Awesome greetings from the super ancient megalithic antediluvian city of TIAHUANAKU BOLIVIA 🇧🇴 thanks for posting