Panasonic DMR-ES35V "Self-Check Failed," refuses to run

[MattOKC]

Panasonic VHS/DVD-R Model No. DMR-ES35V

Transferring VHS to DVD, and got to the end of a DVD-r when the system froze and failed its self-check. I've removed the DVD, but it does the same thing with other DVD-r's, or even without any DVD in the tray at all.

The error message says that if the error persists, consult the product service information in the manual. But here's the fun part: Panasonic hasn't put any of that information in their product manual! The manual mentions nothing about self-check tests, nor does it even mention how to contact customer service (no phone number, no email, not even a suggested website).

I've only used this to create about 10 DVDs.

Any ideas?

[fritzi93]

Try a search for "panasonic dmr-es35v manual"?

I got these, among others, the second one a direct link to the *.pdf manual download:

http://www.panasonic.com.au/support/downloads/more_info.cfm?objectID=1820&productHierarchyID=3221

http://av.rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geuln1RzJM8UkBV0lrCqMX;_ylu=X3oDMTBvdmM3bGlxBHBndANhdl9...F/DMRES35V.PDF

Sometimes the *pdf manual is more comprehensive than the printed one. I only glanced at the manual, but it has instructions on how to reset the machine. And I have to ask, did you try unplugging it and waiting 10-20 seconds or so before powering on again? That often fixes such problems.

[EDIT] Oh yeah, and welcome to the forum.

[jjeff]

It's possible your ES-35v has failing electrolytic capacitors. About the time the ES-35v was made many capacitors were incorrectly made resulting in premature failure
Check this thread for more capacitor talk and photos.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1055111&highlight=capacitors
http://club.myce.com/f106/board-connectors-dmr-es30vebs-please-help-313716/