JVC Cassette Player CQ-1K Belt Change

Do you have an old JVC Walkman style cassette player that sounds like life has slowed right down? Or fails to play the tape? Don’t throw it away — it probably only needs the belt changing to restore its sound. Here are the steps you need to change the belt. It’s a bit fiddly but takes only a few minutes with care and a small screwdriver.

First you will need to find a replacement belt. The JVC CQ-1K uses a 70mm diameter neoprene rubber belt that’s approximately 1mm square. Replacement belts are still available e.g. from Amazon or eBay. I found one from an eBay seller Wantable shop who stocks a wide range of replacement drive belts and deliver in a couple of days. The replacement is slightly thicker at 1.2mm but fits well. You can buy sets of belts if you have a different cassette and not sure of the correct size.

Accessing the belt requires a small watchmaker’s cross head screwdriver to remove the tiny screws that hold the rear aluminium cover in place – see below (if you have upgraded an Apple Macbook the same cross head driver will fit). Warning – the screws are very small and easy to loose. I use a small rectangular lid to place each screw I remove in a similar position on the lid to the case so it’s easy to put back in the same place. Or place the screws on double sided tape so they don’t get knocked. There are 4 screws on the left side (top of photo) and 4 on the right fold. No need to remove the smaller screw next to the Open battery slider. The longer top screw on the fold holds the strap slot plate – pull the plate out and place with the screws.

Take care removing the rear case as it slots into the round black 6V DC socket so lift it away gently. You will see the main printed circuit board which is held in place with 3 pan head screws – one on the left and 2 on the right – see below.

JVC CQ-1K PCB

Next remove the 3 small screws that hold the top plate in place so it clears the PCB which unfolds from the right – see below.

JVC CQ-1K Top Plate

You may need to remove the sticky tape on the red and black wires to allow enough flex to rotate the PCB. Take care when you replace the PCB the wires don’t rub on the motor pulley.

JVC CQ-1K PCB removed

The belt is now visible threading its way from the motor through the two brass pulleys on the right. How to remove the belt? Simple, the larger white plastic cog will lift to allow removal and replacement of the belt. Carefully lift the edge of the white cog and pull the belt clear over the brass pulley and then lift the cog away from the other cog to release the belt. No need to remove circlips.

Fit the new belt by first locating over the motor pulley and ensuring it’s not twisted gently lift the cog to slide the belt underneath and locate round each pulley. Check it routes as in the photo and the cog teeth engage.

JVC CQ-1K belt in place

Rotate the motor to ensure the belt runs smoothly back an forward and there’s no twists in the belt. The small volume control may benefit from a squirt of switch cleaner to remove tarnished contacts and reduce any crackle. Avoid spaying the belt!

Replace the PCB taking care the on/off slider and top sliders locate through the slots. The sliders kept falling off and I found it easier to locate the on/off slider in the side slot then engage the PCB. Check the red / black wires are not rubbing against the motor pulley or belt and fix back down with the sticky tape. You may want to power up and test mechanism before replacing the cover to ensure it now plays at the right speed and fast forward and reverse work correctly.

Fit the top plate with the 3 screws and then replace the rear cover and 8 screws. It should now work.  Good luck!