Sony MZ-1 looks dead. Is this only a loading issue or more.

Since a week i am the proud owner ofthe Minidisc MZ-1 which does have an issue which looks more than only a loading issue.
When i try to load a tape the player says "loading" but nothing loads at all, also not by pushing it a little bit harder than normal. You don't here a sound... nothing.
When you let loose of the Minidisc the player displays eject and that's it.
I opened the machine to see if there is anything strange or stuck but i can't find anything.

- Is there a way to "factory reset" the player. Maybe after this the minidisc loads the tape again?
- Is there a way that you can see if this is motor loading issue or something else. How can you let the player make a sound by simulating loading a tape?
- Can it be a power issue, capacitors etc...?

It looks like the player is almost dead but it does respond to buttons at the side etc..
Hope somebody can help out. Thank you very much...

 

It sounds like the disc is not even spinning up to start the read process. Usually you get the disc error or no disc error if its laser related. I think your laser may be OK but the slider is not moving the laser read lense into position to commence the detection process. I am not familiar with the MZ-1 but in some later MD Walkman like the MZ-R50 turning the unit upside down restores normal read and play functions. Also a fault related to the slider supporting the laser. It is unlikely to be the motor. More likely it's the slider mechanism or a gear failure that engages the motor to the slider/stepper mechanism. If you're lucky it's just that the slider is stuck after prolonged storage and no use.

 

Thank you for your reply. The discs can't be put in for 100% procent. It doesn't slide in further than 80% procent and when i let it loose, it says "eject".
I tried to put it upside down, and tried to insert, but unfortunately it doesn't do the trick.

 

OK. That's got to be the loading mechanism is damaged in some way. I don't have the earliest releases of MD Walkman so not familiar with the loading whether it's purely mechanical or there is some form of motor assist involved.
Sorry but can't shed any light on the cause.

 

Maybe somebody else?

 

No others who maybe have a clue. You can help me a lot hopefully.

 

A little over a year later but...
Hi I opened the player totally and couldn't find any broken parts whatsover. I ue the original 10.5 volt power adapter.
When i look at the service manual and put a 3Volt (external battery) on the loading motor the slider loads the disc but that's it. I can now but in the disc easily without having to push it.
But now eject doesn't work. It is not a motor issue that far i am now.

 

I found out that when i reverse the polarity of the battery the disc comes out indeed but i goes very slow. It is maybe sticky because of the +/- 30 years old lube which needs to be replaced. So in and out does work but not via the normal way (push the disc in) but via putting a 3V battery on the loading motor and vice versa does work fine. Where can i find the micro switch. I looked in the service manual but i can't find it. Someone who can point me into the right direction? Thanks a lot.