I own a GRD31 and keep getting an E04 error. The cassette either doesn't go down or only descends partway and aoccassionally chews tapes. I've read online that this error is caused by a cold solder on the cylinder drive PC board and that reflowingthe solder should solve the problem. Is this correct and will a repair cost me more than I would spend to purchase a resonably priced camera?

The error code E04 on a JVC Camcorder GR-AX2 indicates a problem with the cassette mechanism. This could be caused by a number of issues, such as a jammed cassette, a malfunctioning cassette compartment, or a problem with the camcorder's loading mechanism. In order to fix the issue, the camcorder may need to be serviced by a professional. In the meantime, you can try removing the cassette and reinserting it to see if that resolves the problem.

good luck

Step 1 Look at the camcorder's display to identify if it is in Safeguard Mode. If its display indicates an error number of E01 to E06, your camcorder is in Safeguard Mode.
Step 2 Disconnect your camcorder from its power source and remove its battery by sliding the latch forward and sliding the battery down while pulling it away from the camera's body. Wait at least two minutes before continuing.
Step 3 Remove the camera's cassette by pressing the "Eject" button, waiting for the cassette door to open, and lifting it out of the tape bay. This step is only necessary if the camera indicates the E03 or E04 error code or it tells you to eject and reinsert the tape.
Step 4 Replace the camera's battery, power connection and cassette, and turn the camera on.

You need to determine what is chewing the tape up. Most cassette doors clip off, this can often show the head and pinch rollers when they come into play. The pinch roller (the rubber one) is often the biggest cause of chewed tapes. But often it's the Take Up Reel that is not moving forward, so the tape is taken out of the cassette by the roller and spews out into the deck, getting tangled up in the roller. The roller itself can become worn and therefore doesn't make proper contact with the idler, or the idler (metal bar the roller pushes against) isn't turning caused by a belt that's broken.
The only way really is to observe what the tape is doing, but since this by definition means the tape could be chewed up, means you have to use an old tape that doesn't contain anything good on it. Make certain you can view as much of the workings of the deck mechanism as possible when using a test tape.
Since you don't mention the make or model number that is the best advise that any expert on here can give you.

This can be due to a faulty PINCH ROLLER as it can chew if the bearing are worn out . If so this must be replaced, Also a faulty mechanism, links , alignment can make the tape to move out of the track and get chewed.
finally the tensioner of the tape which is tension band can be faulty and so it will allow the tape to be loose to get chewed down.

Hi, the problem is the tape has got chewed up inside the video the only way your going to get it out is by taking the case of but dont do this whilst its plugged in.

you need to take the tape off and you may have to cut the tape so you can put the case back on and switch it on so the tape will eject, you need to get what ever is keeping it stuck free, the chances are the tape has got chewed up around the drive and this will need cutting free to allow the tape to come out.

let me know if you need further assistance ok

plz rate this solution as i have a whole page of unrated posts, thanks.

you could try fast forwarding a bit or rewinding a bit then try ejecting but failing that your going to need to take the case off to free the tape

Ok sound like the play head is out of a-line ment - easy way to fix if it is this - remove from the mains supply and open the cassette deck door - press the play button down and look at the play head there is 2 screws 1 either side 1 is fixed and 1 is sprung - now inset batterys (much safer) - try and fit a cassette in without using the cassette door should just fit in then press play and ajust the Right hand side scree with a small screwdriver (insulated) and ajust slightly to the left or to the right and this should fix the chewing - to get it just right use headphones ajusting left to right will tke the sound + & - to each earphone. Warning dont turn to far to the left as this will undo the screw completely - u have a least 1 whole turn either way is fine

i had the same problem with my cam JVC GR-DVL309 and i solve it.
HOW!
Eject the tape, reinsert it BUT while the tape is going down to read, push the door with your hand just a little bit to right side just a few seconds while is reading the tape and close the door, (i had done this 2 or 3 times) this way i have solve the E04 Error, now i can record and play with my cam.

Here's what i found. I was able to clear the message by opening and closing and ejecting the cassette. I also had to play with the battery at the same time. Keeping the cassette door open and then pulling out the battery. After is did this a couple of times i got the message to clear. I too haven't used my camcorder for some time and now that the error message has cleared the camcorder tells me that i need to clean the heads. Hope this helps. Below is the message i found that pointed me toward ejecting the cassette. An error indication (E03 or E04) appears. - (E03 or E04 UNIT IN SAFEGUARD MODE REMOVE AND REATTACH BATTERY) This massage a malfunction of some kind has occurred. In this case the camcorder's functions become unusable. - Eject the cassette once and re-insert it, then check if the indication clears. When it does, you can resume using the camcorder. If the indication remains, consult your nearest JVC dealer or service center

Here's what i found. I was able to clear the message by opening and closing and ejecting the cassette. I also had to play with the battery at the same time. Keeping the cassette door open and then pulling out the battery. After is did this a couple of times i got the message to clear. I too haven't used my camcorder for some time and now that the error message has cleared the camcorder tells me that i need to clean the heads. Hope this helps. Below is the message i found that pointed me toward ejecting the cassette. Good Luck, i'm off to buy a tape head cleaning cassette. An error indication (E03 or E04) appears. - (E03 or E04 UNIT IN SAFEGUARD MODE REMOVE AND REATTACH BATTERY) This massage a malfunction of some kind has occurred. In this case the camcorder's functions become unusable. - Eject the cassette once and re-insert it, then check if the indication clears. When it does, you can resume using the camcorder. If the indication remains, consult your nearest JVC dealer or service center

Lisa, E04 is an error code which shows that one or both of the reels has stopped during play or record operation. We find that tapes with liquid contamination can stick to internal parts in the mechanism causing this error. Try another tape, if this does not resolve the problem something is defective in the tape transport. Good Luck to you! Joe Weibel customelectronics.org