Panasonic SC-AK523, SC-AK320, SC-AK520, SC-AK323 Troubleshooting guide, Maintenance

Troubleshooting guide

Before requesting service, make the below checks. If you are in doubt about some of the check points, or if the remedies indicated in the chart do not solve the problem, refer to the “Customer Services Directory” on the back cover if you reside in the U.S.A., or refer to the “Product information” on page 3 if you reside in Canada.

Reference pages are shown as black circled numbers %.

Common Problems

Although the unit is in	Turn off the demo function. %
standby mode, the display	If you set the clock, demo function will be turned off automatically. ^
lights up and changes
continuously.
No sound.	Turn the volume up.
Sound stops.	Switch off the unit, determine and correct the cause, then switch the unit on. Causes include shorting of
	the positive and negative speaker wires, straining of the speakers through excessive volume or power,
	and using the unit in a hot environment.
Sound is unfixed, reversed or	Check the speaker connections. 6
comes from one speaker
only.
Humming heard during play.	An AC power supply cord or fluorescent light is near the cables. Keep other appliances and cords away
	from this unit’s cables.
“ERROR” is displayed.	Incorrect operation performed. Read the instructions and try again.
“– –:– –” appears on the	You plugged the AC power supply cord in for the first time or there was a power failure recently. Set the
display at standby mode.	time. ^
“F61” is displayed.	Check and correct the speaker cords connection. 6
	If this does not fix the problem, there is a power supply problem. Consult the dealer.

Listening to the radio

Noise is heard.	Use an outdoor antenna. %
The stereo indicator flickers
or doesn’t light.
Sound is distorted.
A beat sound is heard.	Turn the TV off or separate it from the unit.
A low hum is heard during	Separate the antenna from other cables and cords.
AM broadcasts.

When there is a television set nearby

The picture on the TV	The location and orientation of the antenna are incorrect. If you are using an indoor antenna, change to
disappears or stripes	an outdoor antenna.
appear on the screen.	The TV antenna wire is too close to the unit. Separate the antenna wire of the TV set from the unit.

Using the cassette deck

Poor quality sound.
	Clean the heads.	See below
Recording is not possible.	If the erasure prevention tabs have been removed, cover the holes with adhesive tape. $

Playing discs

The display is wrong or	The disc may be upside down. 8
play won’t start.	Wipe the disc.
	Replace the disc if it is scratched, warped, or non-standard.
	Condensation may have formed inside the unit due to a sudden change in temperature. Wait for about an
	hour for it to clear and try again.
The total number of tracks	The disc may be scratched, or its data may be defective. Replace the disc.
displayed differs each time
the same disc is inserted.
Unusual sound is heard.
CD-RW cannot be read.	The disc was incompletely formatted. Use the recording equipment to fully format the disc before recording.
“VBR–” is displayed	The unit cannot display the remaining play time for variable bit rate (VBR) tracks.
instead of the remaining
play time.
“TAKE OUT/DISC” appears	There is a problem with the disc mechanism. (A power failure may have occurred.)
	The tray will open automatically. Remove the disc from the tray, and after ensuring there is no disc in the tray,
on the display.
	close it. The unit will make the disc changing noises for a few moments and then it should operate normally.

Remote control

Remote control doesn’t	Check that the batteries are inserted correctly. 4
work.	Replace the batteries if they are worn.

Maintenance

If the surfaces are dirty

To clean this unit, wipe with a soft, dry cloth.

•Never use alcohol, paint thinner or benzene to clean this unit.

18• Before using a chemically treated cloth, read the instructions that came with the cloth carefully.

For a cleaner, crisper sound

Clean the heads regularly to assure good quality playback and recording.

Use a cleaning tape (not included).

RQT7330