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Emerson VCR755 - won't start the first time

W

Wayne Tiffany

Jan 1, 1970
0
No record of this problem in the archives that I could find, so here goes.

An old Emerson. Turn off, let it sit a couple days. Then try to turn it on
and record - just the sequence it would go through if you set a program and
3 days later it tries to come on and record.

The problem is that it fires up, loads the tape, goes into record mode, but
doesn't move the tape forward and then times out and shuts down. I caught
it in the act one time and found that the pinch roller wasn't moving over
into contact with the capstan. However, generally the second attempt is
successful, and works fine for some amount of time - haven't been able to
determine that time frame. A few hours, it works fine. A few days, no go.

I can't see or hear anything mechanically binding, and the fact that once
"loosened up" it will work makes me think something is taking a set. I
suspected the mode switch, but can't take it apart without breaking a
mushroomed plastic post holding it together. So, I tried changing its
position just a bit to make it stop in a little different place. Didn't
help.

Has anyone seen this before? Suggestions? Thanks.

WT
 
S

Sofie

Jan 1, 1970
0
Wayne:
The symptom you described could easily be caused by a variety of faults....
some easy to fix and others would be a more expensive repair.
Some common problems with this particular series of Emerson VCRs that could
be responsible for the problem you are experiencing:
**Dirty or defective mode select switch
**Stretched or worn loading belts (qty 3)
**Cracked or broken capstan pulley
**Stretched capstan/running belt
**Defective idler gear mechanism
**Hung-up tension band and/or brake pads
 
M

Mark D. Zacharias

Jan 1, 1970
0
Sounds like bad loading belt(s) to me. They tend to slip just as the mech is
finishing loading. After a couple tries, it makes it into a fully loaded
condition and would keep playing or recording at that point. Some Emersons
are a bitch to change these.

Mark Z.
 
E

ezwizzard

Jan 1, 1970
0
Wayne Tiffany said:
No record of this problem in the archives that I could find, so here goes.

An old Emerson. Turn off, let it sit a couple days. Then try to turn it on
and record - just the sequence it would go through if you set a program and
3 days later it tries to come on and record.

The problem is that it fires up, loads the tape, goes into record mode, but
doesn't move the tape forward and then times out and shuts down. I caught
it in the act one time and found that the pinch roller wasn't moving over
into contact with the capstan. However, generally the second attempt is
successful, and works fine for some amount of time - haven't been able to
determine that time frame. A few hours, it works fine. A few days, no go.

I can't see or hear anything mechanically binding, and the fact that once
"loosened up" it will work makes me think something is taking a set. I
suspected the mode switch, but can't take it apart without breaking a
mushroomed plastic post holding it together. So, I tried changing its
position just a bit to make it stop in a little different place. Didn't
help.

Has anyone seen this before? Suggestions? Thanks.

WT

Hi, Replace Thermal IC2001 This should fix it. you can test it with freeze spray.
 
W

Wayne Tiffany

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'm a bit confused as to the direction of this suggestion - how would not
using the machine, in essence, overheat a chip? Seems that with the machine
off, a minimal amount of current would be running through the circuits.

Or, did this get posted to the wrong message?

WT

ezwizzard said:
Hi, Replace Thermal IC2001 This should fix it. you can test it with freeze
spray.
 
M

Mark D. Zacharias

Jan 1, 1970
0
Wayne Tiffany said:
I'm a bit confused as to the direction of this suggestion - how would not
using the machine, in essence, overheat a chip? Seems that with the
machine
off, a minimal amount of current would be running through the circuits.

Or, did this get posted to the wrong message?

WT


spray.
Forget the chip. The loading belt is slipping. Listen. You'll be able to
hear it.

Mark Z.
 
W

Wayne Tiffany

Jan 1, 1970
0
Does anyone know where I can find a mode select switch for this thing? I
have looked through a multitude of web pages and none for an Emerson appear
to be the same as this one. I want to replace both belts (per the
suggestions,) and figured I should probably go ahead & replace the switch
also. As far as I know, it's never been replaced, and the vcr now has
started not giving me any output except for static. It loads the tape,
plays, rewinds, etc, but it's as if the output is set to the wrong channel.
(It's not - I checked & also tried channels 3 & 4.) I then tried to play
the tape on another machine, and the part of the tape that I had been
testing on the Emerson, now contains only static - the video is gone. So,
therefore, I suspect the switch. Comments?

WT
 
B

Bob Shuman

Jan 1, 1970
0
Many mode switches can be opened, cleaned, re-lubricated, and then
reassembled. You just need to be careful not to break the plastic snap
tabs. It is certainly worth trying first before you order a replacement.

Bob
 
W

Wayne Tiffany

Jan 1, 1970
0
This one is held together by the middle spindle being mushroomed. If I cut
that, I've broken it.

I don't know for sure that my removing & inspecting caused the machine to
not play any more, but the last time I put it back together, it stopped
giving me any decent output. Everything seems to mechanically move
properly. When I push the Play button, it loads the tape, and then I get a
very brief glimpse of something, and then all I get is snow on the screen.
No errors - it just plays away, but nothing resembling a picture. It also
seems that it maybe erases as it's supposed to be playing, but I haven't
totally confirmed that yet. That's why I figured that I should just go
ahead & replace the switch as being a possible cause..

WT
 
M

Mark D. Zacharias

Jan 1, 1970
0
Wayne Tiffany said:
This one is held together by the middle spindle being mushroomed. If I
cut
that, I've broken it.

I don't know for sure that my removing & inspecting caused the machine to
not play any more, but the last time I put it back together, it stopped
giving me any decent output. Everything seems to mechanically move
properly. When I push the Play button, it loads the tape, and then I get
a
very brief glimpse of something, and then all I get is snow on the screen.
No errors - it just plays away, but nothing resembling a picture. It also
seems that it maybe erases as it's supposed to be playing, but I haven't
totally confirmed that yet. That's why I figured that I should just go
ahead & replace the switch as being a possible cause..

WT
The mode switch I believe is visible from underneath the unit, mounted on or
near the circuit board near the reel idler unit. It can likely be cleaned
without disassembly if you can spray cleaner into it. Manual cleaning is
better, but more dangerous.

The video head may have gotten dirty during all this. Extreme caution is
required for cleaning. Do NOT try using cotton swabs. A folded piece of
coffee filter paper with some alcohol on it works OK - it should gently be
held stationary against the drum while rotating the drum with your other
hand. Follow with a dry one to get any residue. The other heads and guides
can be cleaned with swabs. A proper cleaning procedure can probably be found
at:

http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/


Mark Z.
 
W

Wayne Tiffany

Jan 1, 1970
0
For the archives.

Unit is back up & running - I replaced both belts & the mode switch. After
analyzing the mechanism to make sure I got the timing correct, I concluded
that the original problem was probably the loading belt. It wasn't
terrible, but certainly not in top shape. I replaced the mode switch
because I didn't want to go back into the machine later, and I figured it
probably had never been replaced. I also think that my probing in it in an
attempt to make sure it was clean might possibly have hurt it, but I can't
prove it. Thanks to all for the suggestions.

WT
 
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