# Tape Deck making loud humming/buzzing noise **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** outback, noises, subaru\ **Created:** [May 13, 2014, 6:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tape-deck-making-loud-humming-buzzing-noise/85008 "2014-05-13T18:26:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sis4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@sis4](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sis4)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2014, 6:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tape-deck-making-loud-humming-buzzing-noise/85008/1 "2014-05-13T18:26:43Z")
My 2002 outback tape deck, which I use primarily to listen to my phone via a cassette adaptor, has recently started making a very loud buzzing/humming noise. It does this with both my old and a new adaptor, as well as a standard audio tape. I could try using a head cleaner on the tape deck, but my impression is that this isn’t what typically would happen if the head needs cleaning, and I don’t particular want to waste the time and money on a solution that I’m pretty sure isn’t going to work, but I’m asking you all in case you know better than me (a real possibility). I just don’t know if I should try that first, or if I should just go out and purchase a new car stereo that has either blue tooth, or an audio input plug so I can directly plug the phone in that way. Any advice would be helpful, also if I do go the way of replacing the stereo, is that generally a straightforward process? And would most replacement stereos be compatible with my vehicle, or do I need to be selective? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2014, 6:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tape-deck-making-loud-humming-buzzing-noise/85008/2 "2014-05-13T18:33:53Z")
Here’s my standard advice - go to [Crutchfield.com](http://Crutchfield.com) and find a replacement. We did that for our '07 Forester, they also sell the correct adapter cable and provide complete installation instructions. It took a bit of work, but nothing unusual. ---
**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2014, 6:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tape-deck-making-loud-humming-buzzing-noise/85008/3 "2014-05-13T18:54:04Z")
I agree. The tape drive mechanism is failing or has failed. It’s 12 years old, so that is not unexpected. Many new radios have auxiliary plugs to eliminate the tape adapter. I just installed a new radio that has Bluetooth phone and audio, so I can listen to music from my phone without wires! ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2014, 7:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tape-deck-making-loud-humming-buzzing-noise/85008/4 "2014-05-13T19:01:25Z")
Here’s another vote for Crutchfield. They have a very good reputation for making this as easy as possible. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2014, 8:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tape-deck-making-loud-humming-buzzing-noise/85008/5 "2014-05-13T20:19:12Z")
And if you don’t need the tape deck for tapes, then, as BK said, skip it, just go with one with the appropriate inputs. ---
**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2014, 8:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tape-deck-making-loud-humming-buzzing-noise/85008/6 "2014-05-13T20:28:14Z")
Count this as another vote for Crutchfield. I gave up tape decks so many years ago that I didn’t realize that there were any around that did work. ---
**Author:** ![sis4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@sis4](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sis4)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2014, 9:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tape-deck-making-loud-humming-buzzing-noise/85008/7 "2014-05-13T21:11:17Z")
Thanks for the advices. I’ll give Crutchfield a look. I’m not particular attached to the tape deck, just the money I’d have to spend to replace it, but what can you expect after 12 years. ---
**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2014, 3:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tape-deck-making-loud-humming-buzzing-noise/85008/8 "2014-05-14T03:42:13Z")
Crutchfield FTW!