NV-HS950 repair help

[Traderbam]

Hi, as a novice I'm trying to get a Panasonic NV-HS950 repaired. Initial error was F04 which was sorted after a re-timing which eventually I managed after a long look at service manual. Mode switch cleaned with contact cleaner, worm gear verified to be fine.

Now when I enter a tape it is laced correctly, no F04 errors, but pressing play does nothing. What other things should I be checking?

[aramkolt]

"Not playing" is kind of vague, but I'd say first thing to try would be seeing if it'll play if you use a remote. Could just be a bad play switch maybe. I assume the other buttons like eject ff/rew work?

[Traderbam]

Play, ff, rwd dont work - I know the front buttons like FF are ok as I can enter service mode.

I just noticed that the pinch roller doesn't seem to swivel into position properly. It lowers as expected down the shaft, but doesn't move with the spring towards tape.

[aramkolt]

Ah, when you said it "does nothing" when pressing play, I assumed you were looking at the deck mechanism and it acted as though no button was pressed at all which doesn't sound like is the case.

But yeah, pinch roller being stuck could be the cause.