Tape deck making a clacking sound repeatedly

1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER
176,000 MILES • 3.3L • 6 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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DANIEL LLERENAS
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  • 5 POSTS
The tape deck in my vehicle listed above is making a clacking sound repeatedly. This action does not allow me to insert a cassette and if I manage to insert one, it is quickly ejected.

When the clacking sound is gone, the display reads "Err tape".

I'm thinking it may be dirty or replacing.
May 1, 2021 at 3:31 PM
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KASEKENNY
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
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I would try cleaning it before you replace it but I think you are exactly correct.

I attached the info from the manual on how to do this. You are going to have to get a tape player maintenance kit that is talked about in the attached below.

Let us know how you make out with this.
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May 2, 2021 at 6:33 PM
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DANIEL LLERENAS
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So I purchased a tape deck cassette cleaner with cleaning agent then inserted cassette as instructed and it would not eject or move for that matter. It may be the tape deck alone because the CD player and FM radio work fine.
May 7, 2021 at 10:53 PM
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KASEKENNY
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 18,907 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Agreed. Unfortunately it sounds like it is locked up. That was not that uncommon back then.
May 9, 2021 at 7:46 PM
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