Samsung VP-K80/K85 8mm tape camcorder will not lower the tray when any tape

[piezomotor]

I refer to the following video below for troubleshooting purposes:

https://youtu.be/G5g5iHpgRLY

Also i refer to the following video:

https://youtu.be/urzSvV2zUkM

My Samsung VP-K80/K85 8mm tape camcorder will not lower the tray when any tape is inserted. However, it will move the tray down with out the tape. If it is related to the switch mentioned on 1:26 of this video and it is not activated with the tape inserted, how is it then activated without the tape? The same question about the connectors mentioned on 2:00 of this video how the tray would go down without the tape and would not with the tape? In my Samsung VP-K80/K85 8mm tape camcorder the head starts to rotate when the tape is inserted and the tray is closed, but it still will not lower the tray with the tape. I could not find any photo sensors to the left and right to block the way on mentioned on 8:08 of this video. The issue I experience when the cassette is inserted and the tray is pushed closed the tray will not go down and will stay for 5 seconds and then opens. Any help is really appreciated!

[piezomotor]

The further investigation shows that without tape, the camcorder displays the TAPE message, but when the tape is inserted and the tray is closed it is displayed the message STBY and then in a second, EJECT, and next C.EMG message:

https://youtu.be/QSbX4GvJRX8

According to ChatGPT here it is the solution:

Message meanings
TAPE → No cassette detected. The camcorder is waiting for a tape.

STBY → Standby mode, cassette detected, mechanism preparing (usually after cassette is lowered).

EJECT → The mechanism or logic decided something is wrong and commands the tray to eject.

C.EMG (Cassette Emergency) → A fault condition in the loading or tape transport mechanism. This is basically a safety shutdown to prevent chewing the tape.

🔎 What that tells us in your case
The camcorder does detect the cassette (since it goes from TAPE → STBY).

Immediately after, it fails the loading sequence check → EJECT → C.EMG.

That means the mechanism is not reaching the expected “cassette down & ready” state.

Could be due to optical sensor not triggered, tray not lowering fully, or resistance in the carriage with a real cassette loaded.

Because it works fine when empty, the carriage is just on the edge of tolerance — the weight/size of a real tape makes it stop short, so the camcorder thinks the loading failed.

✅ Common causes for C.EMG in these models
Carriage slightly misaligned → doesn’t seat the cassette fully.

Optical sensor dirty or blocked → logic never sees “cassette down” position.

Worn / cracked gear in the loading motor drive → moves fine unloaded, slips when loaded.

Hardened grease → increases drag, only shows up with a cassette’s extra load.

👉 In short:

TAPE → STBY = tape detected

EJECT → C.EMG = loading sequence failure (mechanical or sensor issue)

Places to Inspect & Clean:

1.
Loading Gear Train
Location: bottom side of the mechanism, beside the loading motor (small DC motor near the cassette carriage).

Look for:

White plastic cam gear with notches or slots.

Often there’s a black U-shaped optical sensor reading those slots.

Action:

Clean the gear edges and sensor with isopropyl alcohol + soft swab.

Check that the gear isn’t cracked around the hub (Samsung gears often split).

Rotate by hand to confirm it moves smoothly, no sticking from hardened grease.

2.
Cassette Carriage Rails & Springs
Location: both sides of the cassette tray.

Look for:

Rails must move evenly and smoothly.

Springs should pull the tray fully down with no hesitation.

Action:

Clean rails and pivots.

Apply a tiny drop of silicone grease or white lithium grease (not oil) to sliding points.

Check both side springs are intact and provide equal tension.

3.
End-Position Optical Sensor
Many Samsung mechanisms use two optical interrupters:

One for cassette down

One for cassette up / eject

Location: near the rear of the cassette well, usually on the left side under the tray.

Action:

Look for dust, dirt, or a bent plastic flag that’s supposed to pass through the sensor.

Clean with alcohol + compressed air if you have it.

4.
Cassette Shell Locking Arms
As the tray lowers, small plastic arms “grip” the cassette shell to hold it square.

If one arm is bent or sticky:

The cassette may sit a fraction too high or tilted → enough to trigger C.EMG.

Action:

Lower the tray gently by hand (camcorder powered off).

See if both arms engage the cassette symmetrically.

5.
Loading Belt (if fitted)
Some revisions use a small rubber belt from the loading motor to the gear train.

If it’s glazed or stretched, it slips when a tape adds weight.

Without a tape, it looks fine → but with load, it doesn’t reach the sensor position.

Action: Replace with the same size belt (or test with a snug temporary one).

🛠️ Testing After Cleaning
Try with no tape → should still lower and display “TAPE”.

Try with a tape:

If it stays in STBY and doesn’t eject → success.

If still EJECT → C.EMG → focus on the loading motor gear & optical sensor alignment, since the camcorder logic still isn’t seeing the “cassette down” position.

[timtape]

Have you tried different cassettes?

[piezomotor]

Have you tried different cassettes?

Yes, I have many cassettes, but I have found such a comment on a forum called "VHS, Hi8, and DV Camcorder Enthusiasts":
"Okay guys, Hey guys. I've been recapping this Samsung VP-K80 camera. The problem remains the same before or after recapping; it keeps ejecting the carriage with or without tape. The fault code displayed is L.EMG, and I cannot find what this error means. Thanks for the help; the problem is now solved, and I have a happy camcorder again. It turned out to be a tear in the ribbon connector junction at the bottom of the camcorder, affecting some sensors, etc. It was a bit hard to rewire, but it's working. The recapping was also a success."

[Attachment 88378 - Click to enlarge]