After removing a tape which wouldn't completely eject (it went only to the point of being flush with the exit hole, with the right side slightly protruding ... I needed to pull a bit to get it out), I can no longer feed new tapes into my S-VHS deck. The tape goes in until it protrudes only about a half inch, but the motor never takes over to pull the cassette in. Everything was working fine tape after tape until I dealt with that faulty tape (I knew it was faulty because it usually refused to load completely, ejecting itself instead; however, it eventually loaded, played OK, but then had the ejection problem mentioned above). I've removed the cover from the deck but don't see anything obviously amiss (no loose or obviously snapped parts). Thanks for any help.
Remove the cover again and move the tape carriage all the way towards the front (the carriage is not fully in the locked position). Once that is done you should be able to load a cassette again.
If you can could you supply a picture of the unit (open condition) with close ups of each side what I think might be happening is the carriage is jammed or the drive motor gear might be stuck, in any even send me a photo of the carriage. If this does not work you may have to manually turn the gear to free it. Let me know how things work out.
Hello GBsLaw,
I looked at the pictures. And it looks like the load and unload motor is not coming on fast enough, this indicates to me a sensor problem of a gear slippage. Do you see the gears on the right even attempt to perform the loading function?
I have been talking about your device with an associate of mine and we agreed that one of your sensors might be malfunctioning because it is not sensing the tape in its present location and is not sending the signal to tell the motor to spin. She was telling me that one of the biggest problems she has seen in her shop was that the sensors (either mechanical or optical) get out of alignment. I have seen this in older VCRs with mechanical tape sensors but not with optical sensors. I can tell you they are a pain to work with. What I could do, is because of the work involved, I could forgo my usual service fee and have you ship the unit to me for repair and then I would ship it back to you. Of course, this would mean that you would have to pay for shipping in both directions. This is just a possible option and you are in no way obliged to agree to this suggestion. It is just a suggestion. Why would I do this? (forgo a service fee), because I would rather fix this unit knowing what to do and having the equipment to do it, then to have you try it (hit and miss) and possibly damage the unit. The website of my shop ishttp://www.electron-age-technologies-llc... if you think this option suits your needs you are welcome to send the unit, if not I will try to walk you through the procedure, the equipment you will need is as follows:
1) Multimeter (to measure the voltage delivered to the load and unload motor and to measure the resistance value of the motor windings)
2) A schematic to inform of voltage measurements.
3) Optical power meter (to measure the output of the optical sensor if one is used as opposed to a mechanical switch type sensor)
4) Anti-static mat and anti-static wrist strap (to prevent Electro-Static Discharge ESD from zapping the microprocessor and other ICs on the circuit board.
5) Assorted tools screwdrivers, needle nose pliers, tape tension tool and other
Having said all of this I am still willing to go about this the way that we have been if you really want to do it yourself.
Thank you,
Shuttle83
Hello GBsLaw,
The offer still stands, here is the shipping information:
Henry A. McKelvey
7023 Onyx Court
Capitol Heights, MD 20743
Once I get the unit, I'll start on repairs and provide details into what I found the problem to be. Once the unit is fixed (within 3-4 days) I'll send right back with what I found and what I did to fix the problem.
Thank you,
consider the service as free, just pay for the shipping, the Post Office or Fedex provides RMA mailing stickers for return mailing authorization.
Hello GBsLaw,
No problem in fact I'll include a step by step event log of what I do so that you'll have an idea of what happened in the repair of the unit.
Thank you,
Shuttle83,
Hello GBsLaw,  The unit is working now, I'll be sending it back to you later today. It was just as I thought. Some of the loading mechanisms had become misaligned, so after aligning them and I started to work on the real problems first the loading motor would not function so I found out why the gear the is second from the main gear was stuck after freeing it the motor turned and the carriage functioned as normal. Now because of all the trouble the drive belt is a little streched and because of some of the stress on the carriage it is a little loose, but still within operating parameters.  When you get the unit back I have two things that I want you to do:  1) get come lithium grease and put it on the carriage where the white plastic tabs are in the metalic groves. these areas need to have lubrication.  2) eventually get a new rubber drive belt for the load and unload motor (the old one is a little streched)  That's all when I send the unit I'll send you the tracking number and estimated time of arrival.   Also once you get the unit and try it out. go to my business area and rate me there, since I did the work at my shop.  let me know once you get it.  Thanks  Shuttle83.
Hello GBsLaw,  I apologize for the delay I just got it out today the tracking number is 1Z500Y739095012419.   Basically I had to disassemble the carriage and the reassemble it, this after I was finished the first time, I took it apart because I did not like how loose the loading gear arms were, so I just took the whole assembly apart and tightened what I could and now it loads a lot smoother. When you get it make sure it functions to your liking. The plastic parts wear out after a while if you don't grease them now and then. Well let me know how you like it once you get it back. Remember if the carraiage tray drops again, in this or any other VCR, release the drive band and by hand turn the load / unload gear and this will free the tape. Turn a few more times and it will put the carriage back into the proper position.  I hope this helps, Thank You, Shuttle83
Hey GBsLaw, Â Did you get the VCR yet? If you open it up you'll see that all of the load and unload components are back in thier proper tracks, and that I did do some minor work in lubricating the track, but you'll have to get some lithium grease and just apply a little to the track mechanism. Â I hope that it meets with your approval, Thank you, Shuttle83
Hello GBsLaw, Â I am so sorry, I apologize if anything I done lead to this. Let me know if I can be of assistance in the filing of a complaint against UPS. Also let me know if you need any explanation of how the unit was shipped. Again I hope that I can still be of assistance on resolving this issue. Â Thank you, Shuttle83
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Hi. I very much appreciate your response. I just finished trying out this suggestion. However, I could not get the carriage to move any further toward the front. The sides of the carriage itself consist of white plastic pieces that have pegs which ride in a metal slot. In the current position, the pegs are all the way to the end of the slot. Perhaps there is another degree of freedom that allows a portion of the carriage to continue to move forward? I couldn't figure out if there is some sort of latch which might permit additional movement. Any other suggestions? I'd be happy to provide specific info on what I see inside the case if it helps with the diagnosis. Thanks very much in advance!
David
I will take multiple photographs after work today and send them. I very much appreciate your willingness to take a look.
David
Hi Shuttle83,
I've posted a series of photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/61375723@N00/sets/72157602205803977/
If you can view these, I hope they are helpful. Please ask if you want additional close-ups of a particular section. The photos showing a partially-inserted cassette indicate just how far in the cassette will go before meeting strong resistance. I've also taken a couple of shots through the front slot because, to me, the carriage looks slightly tilted. Could just be sloppy manufacture or the way it's designed, but I wanted to at least show this in case it's a clue.
Thanks very much again for helping me out.
David
You may need to cut and paste the link I've posted, as the web site doesn't correctly turn it into a clickable link.
Thanks,
David
By the way, when I first remove the cover, there's a metal bar above the carriage that blocks some of the view and seems to do nothing (supports the front lip of the cover, perhaps)? I've taken one shot of this bar in place but then show the rest of the images with the bar removed.
David
"Do you see the gears on the right even attempt to perform the loading function?"
When I insert the cassette, I don't hear any noise or see any movement other than the slight movement of the carriage as parts flex against the pressure of my pushing (gently). It's as if the VCR weren't even plugged it. When I insert the cassette to the distance shown in the pictures, the resistance to pushing any further is quite strong. I can maybe move it a 2-3 millimeters, basically by causing parts to flex slightly rather than through any designed movement.
Is there anything about the sensor that would relate to the fact that the problem started after removing that problem tape?
If photos of the sensor or gears would help, just tell me where to point the camera and I'll take more photos.
Thanks!
David
Hi Shuttle83,
I appreciate your caring enough about the solution to my problem to discuss it with your colleague and to offer to perform the repair. If the offer still stands, I would gladly pay the shipping to/from your location in order to have the repair done right. While I actually have an electronics background (I do semiconductor device development now, but did board-level design of evaluation boards for DSP chips in a past life), I don't have access to some of the required equipment (schematic, tape tension tool, optical power meter) and, in my present housing situation, have not had the space to unpack the remaining tools and "set up shop." Please let me know how'd you like me to proceed ... I'd like this to be as convenient for your schedule as is possible.
My sincere thanks,
David
Hi Shuttle83,
Thanks again. I'll get the VCR shipped ASAP. Let me know how you'd like me to cover the return shipping. I could include a check with the VCR, pay you through your business via credit card or transfer money via PayPal.
David
Shuttle,
I've shipped off the VCR to the address that you listed. I want to once again reiterate my appreciation for all your help. I've printed out the above dialog and included it in the box so that you know it's from me. Let me know how it goes once it arrives!
David
Shuttle83,
I'm grateful that you were able to do this, and do so quickly. I look forward to getting it back and will perform the suggested actions (including providing an outstanding rating). Am I correct that the wear issues on the belt and carriage impact only loading and not playback quality? I can live with that and will order a drive belt in the meantime (do you sell them or can you suggest a source?).
Thanks immensely,
David
Hi Shuttle83,
I'm wondering if you were able to ship out my VCR yet. Nothing's arrived as of today and I don't have a means of tracking it (I included a return label in the box, but I think you may not have noticed it because it doesn't yet show up on my ups.com account as having been used). If you've shipped it already and have a tracking # handy, perhaps you can check it and let me know the status (to avoid having to post the # here). Thanks again for all your help thus far!
David
Hi Shuttle83,
Yes, the VCR just arrived. However, the box split along one edge, potentially exposing the unit to shipping damage, and I want to photograph the box before I open it (since I did insure it and want to make sure I'm covered if UPS caused damage). Once I do this (didn't have time this evening), I'll open the box and hope that the split was immaterial. I do have some lithium grease and will open the case and apply the grease as you suggested. I'll also find your business listing to rate you. Thanks again!
David
I'm going to have to set aside time to examine the VCR closely. Upon opening the damaged box, I see that the VCR is also damaged. The back panel is protruding past the metal cover lid along one corner and is cracked, with the metal lid having a crease in one corner. Looks like crush damage. Also, there's a mar on one edge of the front panel like it was hit by an object. I plan to file with UPS for some damage recovery, since the driver noted the damage in his comments section and I photographed the box before opening. If the "guts" of the unit work well, I may still get sufficient use out of it. I'll let you know.
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