Sony EV-C200 Hi-8 VCR deck will not play tapes

[Selcouth]

Hello, everyone. I've searched around for info to help resolve this issue and found this forum. Hopefully someone has an idea to point me in the right direction.

I have a Sony EV-C200 Hi-8 VCR deck that has sat on a shelf for many years. I have about 20 8mm tapes that I want to convert to digital, so I pulled out the Hi-8 VCR.

Sadly, I have found that the VCR will not respond to inputs.

I took the cover off so I could inspect for any mechanical issues. I am able to load a cassette and I see it pulled into the compartment. The cassette cover is lifted, arms (tension regulators?) grab the tape and wrap it around the drum. The drum spins and then the system settles down, seemingly waiting for input.
If I press play, pause, FF or RW at this point I receive no feedback. I see that the tape inserted indicator is lit. I am able to toggle VTR on and off. But no response from the play controls.

As I am loading the tape, if I press the play button it lights up green as if it's queued the command, but once the drum spins and settles the light goes dark.
I do not have the original remote for this deck. I have a Sony remote from a camcorder that seems to be compatible. I am able to use the play button as mentioned above from the remote and see the same behavior.

I found a service manual and I'm starting to dig through it to see if something stands out as a place to start troubleshooting. https://freeservicemanuals.info/en/servicemanuals/viewmanual/Sony/EVA60/EVC200/

[Selcouth]

Reviewing some videos on YouTube of a working deck I found that the pinch roller on my deck is not moving in to position. It stays at its initial position when a tape is inserted. Now to figure out why it's not engaging!


[Attachment 63469 - Click to enlarge]