VCR won't take tapes

[llmercll]

Hello!

I'm not sure this is the right subforum, but I couldn't find anything on retro/vcr video equipment anywhere else =/

Anyway, I have an old Sony SLV-940HF VCR/Recorder that had a tape jammed in it. It wouldn't play, eject, or anything. So I had to open it up, and carefully remove the tape manually. When I put everything back together, I noticed it will no longer "take" the tape when I put it in. Usually it sucks it in and does it thing, but it won't do anything now!!

I've checked the "tape loading bracket" and mechanically it works fine. I put the tape in and can manually slide it back and down. But for some reason, the VCR it won't automatically feed. Also, the VCR itself seems to work fine. Everything is spinning and moving, etc.

Here are some pics. I'd really appreciate some help

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3784/dscn3177a.jpg
http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/9989/dscn3179k.jpg
http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/2804/dscn3178.jpg

thanks!!

[aedipuss]

looks dead to me. the tape loading mechanism is in the play/record position, not the empty/loading position.

[llmercll]

I did notice that, but depending on what buttons I press and whether or not the power is on, they do go into the empty/load position.

thanks!

[joecass]

If you're talking about fixing it, I think you'd have to find the actual repair manual for this model. If I'm not mistaken,
VHS machines have some kind of sensor when you insert the tape, like an electromechanical thing. If the sensor is not working, then it won't load the tape. I have a similar Sony SLHF 750, sometimes it won't eject the tape, have to shut it
off for a while and then it will work again. Many years ago I saw some on line site dedicated to repairing VCR's,
try doing a Google search and see what you come up with.

[llmercll]

Thanks for the advice!! I did a google search but could only find a free service manual for an SLV-980HF, which is very similar, but not ideal. It was mostly just schematics and disassembly instructions though =/

[joecass]

Thanks for the advice!! I did a google search but could only find a free service manual for an SLV-980HF, which is very similar, but not ideal. It was mostly just schematics and disassembly instructions though =/

Try this site..... has many useful tips and explanations of how VHS machines work and are repaired:

http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/vcrfaq.htm

[handyguy]

It's usually a belt & you can put it in yourself, they are on the bottom.

[llmercll]

Here are a few pics and a short video showing what happens when I press the play button without a tape. It seems like all the mechanical parts are moving fine now, but don't know for sure.

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/7184/dscn3203v.jpg
http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/9323/dscn3202v.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AweAsdwMTTk

Any idea on what the issue is and how to repair it?

Thanks so much!!

[joecass]

Looks to me like the loading mechanism is not working. There is a motor and possibly a belt or belts involved that control this function. Your original post said the tape was stuck inside. Un-loading or ejecting is the opposite of loading.

From www.fixya.com, here's an answer given:

"Dear Rob, There can be two reasons for your problem.Let us consider the simpler and most likely cause.....Belts!!!
Unplug the Plug from the Power socket. Open up the top and bottom Panels.Check the belts. Most likely you will find a belt has snapped ( a 80% possibility) or become very very loose. Also check the Tape Loading mechanism,there is a small belt which connects from the Loading motor to the Loading Mechanism.
Replace the belts as a entire set."

You'd have to check around the Internet for parts, sometimes EBay, www.parts.com or www.mcmelectronics.com stocks replacement belt kits. If it's a worn or broken gear or gears, then it becomes more difficult.

Sony recorders of this vintage usually make a loud whirring noise when loading or ejecting a tape. If you don't hear it,
possibly the loading motor is shorted or not working.

Seems to be it would be more practical to bring the unit to a qualified VCR repair technician and get an estimate to fix it.
The repair charge might be more than what you'd pay for a new or used VCR, but that's your choice.

[checkin1]

The vcr will load normal with cover off, wont load with cover on.
Tested IR sensor, & end sensors both in & out of circut, all check ok, replaced IR anyway, still acts up.
Noticed the tape hesitates on the right, & will eject, but reload again when cover is on.
Obviously something else light sensitve in machine that I am noty aware of.

[usually_quiet]

The vcr will load normal with cover off, wont load with cover on.
Tested IR sensor, & end sensors both in & out of circut, all check ok, replaced IR anyway, still acts up.
Noticed the tape hesitates on the right, & will eject, but reload again when cover is on.
Obviously something else light sensitve in machine that I am noty aware of.

Posting in someone else's old thread is questionable. Posting the same thing in more than one is definitely against the forum rules. You have a virtually identical post here: https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/350634-Toshiba-D-VR7-shuts-off-when-use-vcr-side