Technics SL-D202: Basic Servicing

A workhorse of a turntable comes in for some servicing.

[@hauntedhomevideo]

I just picked up my first technics turntable(Sl-D2) and found your channel. Your vids are great! Very helpful and informative for a technics newbie like myself! Really wanted to buy a Q series TT, but the D2 was in really nice condition for less than $100.

[@TurntableGuy]

Check out my video on how to service the D2.

[@petercelle1796]

Thanks man- great style, great pace, great knowledge. I’m falling in love with my sl-d2 all over again after a 10 year hiatus- I’ve owned it since about 82, so am looking forward to babying my platter.

[@VINZBROWN]

Wowwww. ME TOO!!! As a teen, my lps and sl d2 turntable were my best friends!!! We just reunite TODAY. I'm checking it out ... to get it running smoothly again.

[@DKbananas]

Thanks for the video. It's nice to know what I'm getting into before hand. Just got a dirty one for $15 at the local thrift. Cleaning it up for a friend to use. SL-D* & SL-Q* are great values these days.

[@dustyturntable]

Hey man, finding your videos very helpful. I recently retired and all I do now is service and fix turntables. Happened to be working on three of these today. Your test album is awesome too!

[@VINZBROWN]

Greattttt stuff, man. THANK you!!!! I just pulled my olddddd TT out today.

[@ruudvanleeuwen7320]

Thank you very much for this video. I own a sl d202 and now understand the device better and will be able to do maintenance myself. Please put a soft cloth under the dustcover when working on the turntable. It hurts when you slide it across your workbench.

[@len9518]

Mat problem fairly common. My sl-q303 was the same, most others with it, had the same issue. You might want to consider the Technics spindle oil, available at KAB USA, since it's specifically designed for Technics direct drives.

[@geddhead1971]

Great video....would love to have heard a tad more Jacob's Ladder though lol

[@AspectRatioPolice]

most Technics of this age have a lifter issue, amazed your didn't.

[@micksterminator3]

Gonna buy one untested for 20usd. Gonna play some rush thru it too, I have a few of their albums. Hope it works!

[@aaronhowse4583]

Great tune up tutorial. You make it easy. I'm sure due to my own mistake, the tonearm will now not rotate to the platter. Either using start/stop button or attempting to move manually, it is stuck and won't rotate toward the platter. It wasn't before I opened the turntable up. I as hoping restoring power would clear the logic but it hasn't. Any advice on what I might have done or what I can clear/move to enable the tonearm again? It's all cleaned and lubed up and ready to go except for this! Thanks in advance!

[@kristobonin1104]

just finish to repair it, and now it 's work perfectly, your video was so helpful. Just a question, have y got any knowledge for a selector source problem on a technics su-c 1010. Anyway, thx a million for your video :)

[@dean6816]

I had one of these that took a lot of cleaning up. No platter rot though?

[@DJWolves97]

Hey, I have an SL-Q202 and my auto-stop is not working, how do I fix the auto-stop? The spindle came out of the gear that the spindle clips into and I am trying to figure out how to get the spindle to lock back in. EDIT: I figured out how, I had to remove the bearing cover and push from both sides of the turntable base on the spindle holding the spindle and the gear! Annoyingly, without the transport screws, the DD motor PCB wants to fall out onto the topside of the base so I had to use a towel to hold the PCB while I pushed harder than I would’ve liked to get the screw and spindle to mate!

[@richardknowlton594]

Looking for information on a technical SL-QL1, the needle drops down but will not move from left to right to play the record

[@Poppinwheeeeellllllieeeeez]

Baby wipes or baby wipes cleans the oil off effortlessly and dry with microfibre.

[@tannerbristol2698]

I have one of these that will play well for a few songs but then slow down and eventually stop. What can cause this?

[@flyup5713]

Hi, need to change on-off switch, is there anyone who knows where to find the spare ? tnx

[@garyjackson2617]

Very informative. I have a D202 as well that wors very well except the cuing is very slow to drop the needle on the record, I have time to lower the dust cover and walk across the room and sit down before the needle touches the record. This is a new problem it worked faster until recently. This turntable sat for many years before I got it about a year ago. Any thoughts on how to restore the cueing speed ?

[@TurntableGuy]

Clean and apply new silicone oil to the lift piston.

[@GBCR]

Hello, I have a Technics SL-D202; the cueing is stuck in the up position and won’t come down. If the riser is manually pushed down, it goes right back up. It worked fine until I cleaned it, and this is what happened. I haven’t opened it yet. Any advice, or are you able to service it? Thanks

[@oldskool1979]

Just sold one today.

[@bradyharris4831]

Great video! I just picked up this model for free from a friend and the power button is not clicking into place. If I hold it down, all the buttons do what they're supposed to do, but it won't stay in the on position on it's own. Obviously holding down the power button is not optimal for jamming out. Any ideas as to what might cause that and if it's fixable?

[@TurntableGuy]

The button is probably physically broken. You're going to need to take it apart to see why it's not holding down.

[@MarkLeffler]

Great video! I have a SL-D202 from the old days and I'm trying to restore it. Unfortunately I lost the counterweight during a move, and I'm having trouble finding a replacement. Do you have any suggestions>

[@TurntableGuy]

Ebay?

[@MarkLeffler]

@@TurntableGuy The ones on ebay that have the right part number all cost around $90 and come from Japan (which in itself is not a problem). I am trying to figure out if maybe a counterweight from another Technics turntable might fit.

[@Tunz909]

So basically to avoid a copyright strike, they want you to pay the copy right owner a fee to use this album on youtube? Pardon my ignorance but what would a typical fee be?

[@djsd-1292]

Hey man! I’ve got one of these and it’s a bit broken, I’m trying to fix it to have another turntable to mix on. Is there any way to delete the auto return mechanism and have the turntable still work? I’m a little worried that the mechanism not detecting any movement would stop the drive mechanism as well. It also spins erratically, is there any idea you have that could fix that? I’m thinking of cleaning the pitch potentiometer when I have the chance to see if it fixes it.

[@TurntableGuy]

I'm not sure what gutting the auto-return mechanism would do, but your speed issues are probably due to a dirty pitch control.

[@djsd-1292]

@@TurntableGuy figures. thank you!

[@Hyxtryx]

Drive mechanism is turned on and off by moving the tonearm over the record. It has nothing to do with the auto-return. If by broken you mean it auto-returns before the record finishes, that is an adjustment that can be made without even having to open the turntable up. It's underneath that round rubber plug next to the tonearm. Set your pitch control to the exact center and then tweak the speed using the trimmer pots which can be accessed through the holes in the turntable platter. You'll have to check the speed, retweak, check the speed, retweak, until you get it just right.

[@scottjamable]

Hi I enjoyed the video, I inherited this same model. Could you recommend a decent stylus or cartridge replacement that doesn't break the bank but isn't cheapo either. Thank you.

[@scottjamable]

I have the head part but the needle is non existent

[@TurntableGuy]

@@scottjamable Audio Technica AT-VM95C or AT-VM95E.

[@Brynn.eiseman]

I have one of these and the left channel isn't producing sound. All wires look good and just soldered in new RCA cables but problem still exists. Any idea what could be causing this? Checked multiple receivers.

[@TurntableGuy]

Bad cartridge?

[@JeffLevy99]

Question: Have you ever worked on an SL-3350 or 3300. I have refurbished one and got everything working but it has this weird issue. When I let it play an album after about 10 mins it speeds up to about 40rmps. If I stop it and start again it will do it again after 10 mins. Is this a motor problem? I have treated the pitch controls and the speed switch. I haven't serviced the motor because it seems to work fine. Any ideas would be much appreciated.

[@TurntableGuy]

Sounds like it could be an IC fault. Also, check to see if there is a second set of speed pots on the main board. They could also be dirty and require adjusting.

[@JeffLevy99]

@@TurntableGuy I did adjust the second set of posts and it still does it. I think the PCB board is bad. I see that in some forums for other tables with a similar issue. It too bad. I got everything working so well. I just hadnt run it through a whole album. It seems very difficult to find parts for these. :(

[@TurntableGuy]

@@JeffLevy99 Have a look at the electrolytic capacitors as well - are any leaking, bulging or have corrosion on the legs? I personally still think it's a microchip issue.

[@JeffLevy99]

@@TurntableGuy I found a parts sl-3350 and put the PCB with the pitch controls from the parts table into the good table and wah-lah works perfectly now! Thanks for the help. Someone who can replace caps might want the board.

[@Tunz909]

I have one of these as well and the stylus is also cracked. Head shell is Technics, / cartridge is Audio-Technica cannot see a model number on the green plastic that held the broken stylus. How do I put in another stylus? And what kind of stylus should go into this DL 202?? Any forums I can access that might have folks who service these units in my area? thanks for the video

[@TurntableGuy]

Best to remove the cartridge from the headshell to see the model number.

[@Tunz909]

@@TurntableGuy Can't I just purchase the whole combo together? Stylus/cartridge/headshell and screw it right into the tone arm like I took it off? It's an AT 11EPQ. thanks for responding to my call for help!:-)

[@TurntableGuy]

@@Tunz909 yes you can. Look at the AT-VM95E.

[@Tunz909]

@@TurntableGuy I ended up purchasing the AT 3600L combo/stylus/cart/shell as the reviews were very good. But then I do not know if THIS combo works with Technics tonearms? If not I'll try the AT VM95E..thanks in advance Bruce

[@TurntableGuy]

@@Tunz909 It will work fine.

[@randyharrigan4790]

I have a sl d2 and i have a question. The anti-skate seems to have no effect on my unit and there is some distortion in the sound when you get to the last songs of an album. Is this easily fixable?

[@TurntableGuy]

Open up the table. Look under the anti-skate knob - there should be a spring there.

[@randyharrigan4790]

@@TurntableGuy ok wil do!

[@randyharrigan4790]

@@TurntableGuy Update: I opened the bottom and realized the spring was missing some tension so i clipped a small amount of the spring off and re-attached it as well as putting some new lithium grease in the spots needed and put some contact cleaner in the speed switches and all is good now and the tone arm even lowers more gently!

[@johnbitkos5049]

Hi, love your channel, do you do service from a storefront or is there a way to contact you? thank you

[@TurntableGuy]

Sorry, I only do local work out of my home.

[@johnbitkos5049]

@@TurntableGuy ok, thank you..im in NY and having a hard time finding anyone local who works on these anymore.

[@briangill4742]

Great vid, many thanks. My cueing mechanism isn't working , it's permanently up. I checked the mechanism following your actions but can't see anything broken / wrong. Any ideas what might be the problem?

[@TurntableGuy]

Probably dried grease

[@briangill4742]

@@TurntableGuy Sorry to bother you again, but could you describe how the cueing mechanism works please. At the moment it seems like a strong spring is holding it in the up position. I don't understand how it is supposed to drop the arm gently onto the disc against the action of this spring. Really trying to save this great deck.🙂

[@rmmakarov9876]

I have this same turntable, I got it around 1981 new...it is great shape but runs slow. I watched your video and did everything, but it still runs slow. What else can I do or replace? Thanks.

[@TurntableGuy]

Did you try adjusting the internal speed pots?

[@snlsnds]

@@TurntableGuy No, where are they? How do you adjust them? I don't believe I saw this in your video. I saw another video w/ speed pots, but the sl-d202 doesn't seem to have them visible like they are in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIfFeJycZ8tgjaM TIA.

[@TurntableGuy]

@@snlsnds I suggest you download the service manual from vinylengine.com. They are right on the motor control board, and I believe accessible from under the platter as well.

[@xio9759]

How difficult is it to replace the red and white audio output cables? The white one sounds all muffled, red one is fine.

[@TurntableGuy]

Just chop off the RCA plug and solder a new one on.

[@Hyxtryx]

If that doesn't work, check the wires between the headshell and cartridge. And clean the gold contacts on the headshell. Try a new cartridge. Make sure antiskating is set correctly. Make sure your phono preamp is working correctly.

[@Tunz909]

Do you accept turntables thru UPS for serving? I cannot find any reputable service in my neck of the woods. Location?

[@TurntableGuy]

I'm sorry, I do not. I'm in Southern Ontario, Canada, but time is so limited due to my day job..

[@Tunz909]

@@TurntableGuy In your video you seemed to welcome new customers. oh well-----I'm in Northeast, Ohio thanks for responding

[@jwaltermedia]

@@Tunz909 Try The Audiowright shop or Stereo Lab LLC in Columbus

[@Tunz909]

@@jwaltermedia Audiowright in Columbus as well? thanks in advance Bruce

[@jwaltermedia]

@@Tunz909 Yes, both in Columbus. I had my Marantz stereo serviced by Audiowright some years ago. Great guys and good service. Think they're appointment only now but they do have a mail in option as well. Hopefully one of those places can take care of you!

[@briangill4742]

Is the cueing action totally manual? I mean no electronics involved?

[@TurntableGuy]

Yes

[@KrisVComm]

I have one of these SL-D202 units which I bought new in 1981. I recently went to connect it after about a decade. It is not playing the right audio channel. What should I be checking/repairing? Thank you

[@Hyxtryx]

Check the wires going to the cartridge. Reseat them on the cartridge and headshell. The audio goes directly from the cartridge to the phono plugs on the back, there is no circuitry in between. Also make sure the problem isn't in your phono preamp. Take the headshell off and clean off the 4 gold-plated nubs with isopropyl alcohol.

[@KrisVComm]

@@Hyxtryx thank you. I should have reposted. I took the unit to a repairman and he found the cables (RCA) needed to be replaced and re-soldered. It worked for a while and now the unit is having other more mechanical issues which results in the tone arm skating over the surface of the record regardless of weight zeroing and re-balancing. Something must be on the fritz with the motor controls

[@Hyxtryx]

​@@KrisVComm Are you sure your needle is still there? It sounds like the pointy part that sits in the groove is gone. Or maybe anti-skating is broken and is effectively at 0, no matter where you set the dial. It's the small dial on the right of the tonearm that goes from 0 to 3. Set it to the same thing you set the weight to. ...probably around 2. Or maybe the needle is bent and the bottom of the cartridge is touching the record.

[@KrisVComm]

@@Hyxtryx I am aware of the anti skate controls. That’s why I mentioned setting everything first to zero and then adjusting. I set the weight and anti skate to near identical numbers. I have also attempted to adjust just to see if there is any effect. There isn’t Yes, of course the needle is still there. In fact, it was recently replaced with a new one when the other repairs were performed.

[@Hyxtryx]

@@KrisVComm If your anti-skating has no effect, that would explain why your needle skates across the record. A spring inside may have fallen off.

[@scorpven]

I watched a lot of you videos but starting with this video will give you a thumbs down for not protecting the lid especially these series of turntable where lids are south after. Doesn't matter if it's already scratched you should not add another one.