Hi all. Hoping this is the area to ask. I am needing a service manual for a WM-172. I have searched but can’t find one so hoping you folk will have one. I can find a WM-EX172 but that’s nothing like the WM-172. Was it called something else in different countries or is there some other model that’s very similar so would do? In actual fact I don’t see much info at all about this model, any info/history would be good. What year etc..
Judging by the buttons, the mechanism is WM-150/WM-B603 type. Look at post #18 here: https://stereo2go.com/forums/threads/list-of-walkman-portable-recorders-common-problems.7535/ for more info. What do you need the service manual for exactly ? We might be able to find the information you are looking for without the service manual. As for the model, @Emiel might know more about it.
Thanks @Valentin . I do have the 150 manual as I thought it looked similar. I can’t find much at all about the wm-172 online. I just wanted a service manual to help with pulling it apart for a belt. No idea about any other problems yet. so far I have 5 Walkman that I have cleaned and replaced with a good belt. Physically they look perfect. None work properly, none you can play a tape or listen too. Looks like I get back to them another time. EX651, WM-600, EX-555, FX-551 (x2) and still to go this WM-172 and a Panasonic RQ-SX11 which looks just about new in box. I bought models I liked the looks of but reading up now it seems they are models with problems maybe I’m not stupid in fixing things but gotta say I am disappointed when so many say “replaced the belt and now it’s fine” and not one works.
In many cases doing a repair properly implies a bit more than just putting a new belt in. Cleaning the pulley grooves for example, lubricating the mechanism where necessary. In your case, besides the belt you will need a clutch gear as well. You can find it here: https://fixyouraudio.com/product/sony-wm-172-clutch-gear/ I think you can do the repair without a service manual. If you want more info about how to open it, please post some picture of the back side and laterals.
Yep, fastidious in the cleaning the left over old belt from pulleys, and grease/watch oil where needed (well to my eyes). I just didn’t want to go the next step of pulling the devices apart even more….I guess I’ll have to. Thanks about the clutch gear, pity I didn’t know a month back when I ordered the belt … takes about a month to post and about $10 postage. I’m going away for a few weeks so won’t look at it until after then. Maybe I’ll message for help after that.
Sorry for the late reply. The manual for the 172 I don't have, and by eye it looks very close to the WM-150. Great to read you are trying to restore these, not just a (improperly sized) belt replacement!
Thanks for replying. I have tried 5 Walkmans so far with just replacing the belts and giving a clean, none work correctly (belts from FixYourAudio). 172 will be number 6.. I will get back to the others, just didn’t want to go into pulling them apart even further but look lik I have too unfortunately .. so sick of Reddit sub users saying they just replace a belt and all is fine. It seems that the WM-190 is close to this WM-172, more so than the 150. I already had the 150 manual but things didn’t quite line up in screw positions. I found the 190 manual on a link in a post on this sub, couldn’t find it at the usual manual sites. http://stereo2go.com/forums/threads/wm-190.5200/
