I am trying to install the PCB of a Walkman WM-EX322 in the hardware of a Commodore C2N so that I can listen to the cassettes that way. I am running into a problem: the walkman board looks dead. This already happened 2 other times with 2 other cassette players of other brands and models that worked beforehand. I feel like I am doing something wrong. At first I thought they just died because of ESD or other factors but this is the third board, there must be something systematic going on. I am connecting the cassette sense switch, hard wiring the motor on (5V) and connecting the WM to 3V on the battery terminals. Nothing on the output. I tried checking the cassette head with an oscilloscope but I see nothing, just noise (but maybe that is to be expected). I also tried using the original head, reconnecting the walkman to power and spinning the cassette with a pencil but no signs of life (cassette sense was closed on this test). What am I doing wrong? Thanks

 

Pictures would help. Show us photographs of the two boards. Also show us a drawing of how you intend to connect the two boards.

 

Attempting to attach longer wires to a tape player input takes some very good soldering skills and the correct soldering tools. AND, for the Commodore tape deck, that head may not be suitable for musical playback. In fact, that head may not, possibly, even be functional. And certainly it is not designed for the operation you are trying. Also, there is an enable switch that prevents audio unless the play mechanism is in play position. That circuit might not be closed.