Question Audio playback problem on Technics RS-TR252 Cassette Deck ?

[flexxmi]

This cassette deck was playing tapes just fine, then little by little the audio started popping in and out and the digital playback meters also reflected the playback loss as it was happening. The tape is fine, so I know that's not the issue. Now it plays with only a blip of audio on a rare occasion and it doesn't matter which deck I'm using - the results are the same, so I know it's not the heads. My guess is that something on the main PCB has failed and I have no service manual for this deck and hifiengine doesn't offer one either. With no service manual I can't check anything on the board because I have no values to refer to from a service manual. Any help or suggestions are appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

May be the playback heads need cleaning as oxide transfers from the tape to the heads over time.

 

[flexxmi]

May be the playback heads need cleaning as oxide transfers from the tape to the heads over time.

The heads are clean. That was the first thing I did.

 

[Alabalcho]

Is this what you are looking for?

 

[flexxmi]

Is this what you are looking for?

It is. Thank you.