vcr cannot play ep / lp mode anymore

[cmeffa]

I have a vcr that used to be able to play all modes ( sp, lp, ep ), but after I played an old tape in it, it cannot play lp/ Ep mode anymore. After I ran the old tape it had problems playing any tape, so I cleaned it. After cleaning the vcr it could play certain sp mode tapes and no longer played lp/ ep mode. The picture comes up only on pause or rewind/ fast forward. Not sure if there is a way to fix this issue or not. If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it.

[jjeff]

Sounds like your EP/SLP heads may be either still dirty or worse yet one could be broken. Are you using a cleaning tape and if so a wet or dry system? Taking the cover off and using a chamois or foam stick and appropriate cleaning solution is the best but you have to be careful to not break or crack the heads by using a up and down motion, left to right or horizontal is the only way to go.
Most VCRs have at least 4 rotating video heads, 2 for SP and 2 for EP/SLP/EP, sounds like you may have cleaned your SP heads but not the others well enough.

[cmeffa]

I used a dry cleaning tape maxell brand.

[jjeff]

I really preferred the wet cleaning tapes or better yet taking the machine apart and cleaning with solution and chamois and foam cleaning sticks although cleaning by hand always has the slight possibility of breaking the delicate video heads which would be a disaster. 99% of the time a wet cleaning tape did the trick for me. The kind I have is where you put several squirts of the supplied solution(or other non residue head cleaner) in a small hole in the bottom of the cleaning tape. The solution saturates the tape and gets rubbed against the tape path when playing the cleaning tape.
Good luck, hopefully a good cleaning will restore your machines EP/SLP speeds to normal.

[cmeffa]

I bought a wet cleaner and it still has the issue. I lack confidence in cleaning the heads myself, so not sure if there is any other alternative available? thanks for reply

[hech54]

I bought a wet cleaner and it still has the issue. I lack confidence in cleaning the heads myself, so not sure if there is any other alternative available? thanks for reply

Seeing as:
1) It's very difficult to buy a new VCR anymore
2) The VCR does not work now and you cannot possibly "break" it anymore than it already is....
What other option do you have?