GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

CASSETTE REVERSAL OR EJECTION IMPROPER TAPE DECK OPERATION

WHEN USING A 90 MINUTE OR LOW QUALITY CASSETTE, SOME OWNERS MAY EXPERIENCE TAPE DIRECTION REVERSAL OR EJECTION BEFORE THE END OF THE CASSETTE. THIS IS DUE TO THE TAPE SENSING SYSTEM BUILT INTO THE CASSETTE DECK. TO DETERMINE IF THE TAPE DECK IS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, TEST UNIT WITH THE GOLD KEY DELIVERY TAPE OR DELCO BOSE TAPE IF SO EQUIPPED. TO TEST UNIT OPERATION: 1. VERIFY THAT THESE TAPES CAN BE COMPLETELY FORWARDED AND REWOUND WITHOUT REVERSAL OR EJECTION. 2. VERIFY THAT THE LAST THREE MINUTES OF EACH TAPE END CAN BE PLAYED ENTIRELY AND THAT WHEN FINISHED, THE TAPE REVERSES DIRECTION. 3. VERIFY THAT THE STALLED TAPE EJECT FEATURE IS FUNCTIONAL. TO TEST THIS FEATURE, COMPLETELY REWIND THE CASSETTE AND LET THE TAPE DECK AUTOMATICALY REVERSE THE TAPE DIRECTION. AFTER THE TAPE DIRECTION IS REVERSED, DEPRESS THE REWIND BUTTON; WHEN REWIND BUTTON POPS OUT TO ITS NORMAL POSITION, DEPRESS IT AGAIN IMMEDIATELY. CYCLE THE REWIND BUTTON IN THIS MANNER UP TO SIX TIMES. BY THE SIXTH TIME, THE CASSETTE DECK SHOULD AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGE THE TAPE AND EJECT THE CASSETTE. THIS IS A FEATURE OF THIS CASSETTE DECK WHICH PREVENTS DAMAGE FROM OCCURRING TO THE UNIT AND/OR TAPE. IF THE CASSETTE DECK PASSES ALL THESE TESTS, ITS MECHANICAL OPERATION IS FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY AND SHOULD NOT BE REMOVED. A TAPE WHICH WILL NOT FULLY REWIND OR REVERSES BEFORE THE END OF THE SIDE MAY BE IMPROVED BY ELIMINATING ANY STACKING AFFECTS IN THE TAPE. TO DO THIS, TAP THE CASSETTE ON A HARD LEVEL SURFACE SEVERAL TIMES OR UNTIL THE TOP OF THE TAPE ARE ALL LEVEL. THERE ARE NO ADJUSTMENTS ON THE CASSETTE UNIT WHICH WILL IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS TYPE OF TAPE.

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.