Help with PIONEER RT 1020L Reel To Reel. Just spins on Play, FFwd & FRew OK. VU's seem OK too. No Smoke.

I just this beauty from a friend. Seems OK, except when I hit play it acts like it's in slow-fast forward.
Any ideas out there?

 

Sounds like a mechanical problem. Check all your belts and idler wheels.
There is pinch roller that pinches the tape against the capstan. Sounds like the pinch roller is not engaging.

 

OK, thanks I will.

 

Curious if you figured this out. I have the same model and am experiencing the same problem. Thank you.

 

Service manual here....
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1071676/Pioneer-Rt-1020lf.html?page=9#manual

Could be the drive belts or rubber pinch roller dirty or worn..