FastForward then Stop causes VHS tape to spill out into VCR

[Darryl In Canada]

I can play a tape without any problems in my VCR. And I can use the high speed search (the FF or RW where you can see the video image).

But when I press Stop, and then press FF to do the (fast) fast forward, and then press Stop again, the tape loosens around the right tape spool, and some spills out and bunches up inside the VCR, as illustrated in the photo. This happens almost every time.

I read other posts discussing possible causes of tape-eating as alignment, pinch roller, brake problem, etc. Based on this photo and video, what do you think is the most likely cause?


[Attachment 85347 - Click to enlarge]

[johns0]

Sounds like there's a problem with the brakes on the reels no being applied,check them out to see.

[aramkolt]

I've seen that before on a JVC VCR with the same mechanism, but I'm trying to think what the ultimate cause actually was, I just know I did eventually fix it though. I don't think it had anything to do with the pinch roller or the actual brakes though. Could have been something to do with the pendulum gear or the mechanism underneath that switches the pendulum/clutch from the higher gearing ratio to the lower one. While that doesn't directly interface with the brakes, I think if it gets gummed up, it prevents the brakes from engaging appropriately.