Aurora V6-214 3.5L VIN H SFI (2001)
Tape Player: Service and Repair
CASSETTE PLAYER CARE AND CLEANING
TOOLS REQUIRED
J 39916-A CD and Cassette Diagnostic Audio Kit
If you do not regularly clean the tape player, the tape player is subject to the following conditions:
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Reduced sound quality
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Ruined cassettes
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A damaged tape mechanism
Cassette tapes may not operate properly if they are not stored in their cases away from the following conditions:
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Contaminants
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Direct sunlight
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Extreme heat
Cleaning Intervals
Clean the cassette tape player every 15 hours of operation for optimum performance. After you clean the player, press and hold the EJECT button for
five seconds to reset the CLEAN indicator. The radio will display --- to show that the indicator has been reset.
As a minimum clean the cassette tape player after 50 hours of playing time. This will prevent damage to the cassette tape player mechanism. The
radio may display CLN, CLEAN or CLEAN TAPE (depending on the family of radio being used), if equipped with the Clean Tape Indicator Feature.
This indicates that you have used the tape player for 50 hours without resetting the tape clean timer. If this message appears on the display, clean the
cassette tape player. The player will still play tapes, however the player should be cleaned as soon as possible in order to prevent damage to the tapes
and/or the player.
Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality may degrade over time. If you notice a reduction in sound quality, play a different cassette. A new
cassette will indicate whether the tape or the tape player is at fault.
If the sound quality does not improve when the second tape is played, clean the cassette player. Perform this step regardless of when you last cleaned
the cassette player.
If a noticeable improvement is not achieved after cleaning the player, remove the radio assembly for repair.
Head And Capstan Cleaning
The following two components are cleaned on a tape player:
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The head
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The capstan
IMPORTANT: Do not contact the tape head with magnetized tools. If the head becomes magnetized, every cassette played in the player will be
degraded.
In order to properly clean a tape player, the preferred method would be to use the cleaning cassette in J 39916-A.
To prevent the cleaning cassette from being ejected, perform the following steps:
1. Turn the ignition switch to one of the following positions (depending on the vehicle line):
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ON
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RUN
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ACC
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ACCESSORY
2. Turn the radio off.
3. Press and hold the TAPE button or five seconds. The tape symbol on the display will flash for two seconds.
4. Insert the scrubbing action cleaning cassette.
5. Eject the cleaning cassette after the manufacturer's recommended cleaning time. When the cleaning cassette has been ejected, the Cut Tape
Detection Feature is active again.
The alternative method would be to use a non scrubbing action, wet type cleaning cassette. This cassette uses a fabric belt to clean the tape head. This
type of cleaning cassette will not eject on its own. A non scrubbing action cassette may not clean as thoroughly as the scrubbing type cleaning cassette.
The use of this cassette is not recommended.
After you clean the player, press and hold the EJECT button for five seconds to reset the CLEAN indicator. The radio will display --- to show that the
indicator has been reset.
