Hi all ..... Nigel is so right !!....90% of the time on these older decks, the record/playback slider switches are the problem ..... A little spray of switch cleaner and the issue is resolved !!.....In some more expensive decks I have actually removed and manually cleaned all the individual contacts, when replacement parts are NLA !!....Obviously the Customer was happy to pay the extra time involved !!!.....Switches on the front panel, like the Tape/ Source monitor switch, also create many faults , like one channel cutting in and out, etc ......I actually still own in immaculate condition the Akai GXF90 and GXF95 Cassette Decks , and 30 years later, they still perform perfectly, having only changed a couple of drive belts over the years !!.....A wonderful reflection on the Japaneese quality build of that era !!..... Cheers Guy's