Stock AM/FM cassette belt replacement.

The tape deck in my Fiero hasn't worked in years (more than 10) and I have been meaning to replace the belt, but never got around to looking until today.

I pulled the unit out, carefully removed the bottom cover and was pleased to note that the tape player part of it looked like a separate unit simply bolted on inside with three 1/4" bolt head screws.

I also found the broken belt which simply fell out when I took the bottom panel off. So I am happy the problem was a mechanical wear and tear issue and not some electronic part burned out.

I removed the 3 screws and all the plastic knobs and proceeded to extract the tape deck when, to my chagrin, it moved, but would not come out. Jiggling it around, I noted that it appeared to be bolted down in one more place and I could not see it. Removing the bracket that mounts the deck to the car's console, I found another screw inside holding down the tape player. There is an access hole to put a screw driver with a slightly smaller socket than the 1/4" of all the other screws. I am not sure what that size is. Maybe 3/16". That access hole was hidden under the mount bracket that was removed.

Since I do not have a tool that would fit through that access hole and reach the screw, I will take it to somebody who probably does.

Dr. Fiero, let me know when you are home and I will pop by.

Also, where can I source a new belt locally? Is there another belt under there I don't know about?

I'm confused. The Fierostore has a belt kit that contains 3 belts for those with the equalizer. I only found one broken belt inside my unit.


Stay tuned....