Hi folks, I picked this up on eBay yesterday, and it arrived today. It doesn't run and the power socket is detached but was included. Cosmetically it's really nice, and it's my first walkman I've owned of this era/type. Just wondering if anyone has any tips about getting it running again? Planning to open it up tomorrow!
Beautiful and with the demo cassette! I don't think they're too difficult to work on but I haven't cracked one of those open before.
Does it work with batteries? Do you see the red light turn on with fresh batteries? Its hard to tell at this time, This walkman looks very clean, From the pictures you placed there is no sign of abuse so I am surprised that how the power socket is detached! This model is one of the most durable walkman Sony made. The only weakness I found from these series (TPS-L2, WM-3, TCM-600, TCM-100-wm-3ex) is the capacitors might need replacement. With my little experience with this model about 10% need to be recapped ( I have about 42 of these models and 4 of them require new cap.) Follow service manual and be careful when you are removing the top plate part since microphone is housed tightly in its place and by pulling the cap, microphone wires might get detached. Service manual is the same with TPS-L2, and you need 2 square belts (4.4" &5.2") . Its also better to change the 2 Idler tires.
I followed that ebay ad ... so I wasn't able to bid ... however these are some photos of WM-3 restored some time ago ... maybe they can help you
I didn't notice the little power sockey in the photo, it looks corroded, maybe it had a little connector that looks like a rivet that failed (broke) after a lot of use? You were posting while I was writing Silver965, it looks like the power has two posts connected to the board, more likely someone dropped it breaking off the jack.
if it doesn't work and because you have to solder the socket on the circuit .... inside the socket there is a switch that disconnects the batteries when the plug of the socket is inserted
Thanks for all the advice and photos, they will be very useful! I don't get any power with batteries either, generally no sign of life. I did get the belts, so my plan is to operate on this lovely machine on Saturday. I did also get hold of a TPS-L2 for not too much money (for these days) but it's in much worse shape. I'm hoping I can learn on the WM-3 before touching the TPS-L2!
Hi all just an update, I opened it up today and as soon as I re-soldered the power jack in place, the Walkman sprung to life! Silver965 you were spot on! I think this Walkman 'died' after very little use and as such it's in very good condition. I changed the belts and it sounds great now. I did mess up the belt change by having the belt flipped the wrong way around when I wrapped it around the motor, so it was playing backwards. I couldn't figure out why it was chewing tapes at first. The good news is that I was told the TPS-L2 I bought chews up tapes - I had a quick look and the tapes were also playing backwards, so By playing with the WM-3 I know exactly what's wrong with the TPS-L2. A last little job was to smooth of the gouge in the paintwork and full in the exposed metal with some black acrylic model paint. Now the blemish is almost invisible. Thanks for the good advice on this one!
