car tape deck spitting out tape 200 rx300 lexus

my RX300 lexus (yr. 2000, 130,000 m) tape deck suddenly began to spit out the tape and will not accept it. If I push it in all the way and then press down, it sits there but display soon changes from "tape" to "radio" and I have to jiggle out the tape. It is a tape wired to my ipod. The car already has a dead CD player. Is there anything I can do??? Needless to say replacement by dealer is out of range. Please help me.
Sounds like the unit is on its last legs. I know OE replacement decks for any make can be expensive. The best & least expensive option would probably to look at an aftermarket replacement. The price should be way less and there are some very good quality units out there.......
if it keeps spitting out the tapes, more than likely the tape belt(s) is broken or slipping and needs to be replaced.