Aiwa HV-MX100 tape stuck?
 

Good morning! I'm trying to fix my Aiwa HV-MX10. There's a tape stuck inside. It has pulled the tape from the cassette and can play it, but when I try to eject the cassette the machine tries (cassette doesn't move and tape doesn't retract back into the cassette) and the machine turns off. I'm new to tinkering with VCRs so please excuse me if this is an easy fix. Any idea what I could try? Thank you!

On most VCRs it's possible to turn the loading mechanism manually, typically by turning a gear near the loading motor by hand. It's usually described in the service manual. Not that this may not turn the spools to reel in the tape so you have to be a bit careful if it's a tape you care about.

Well I found the culprit after taking it apart. Looks like the belt completely melted. Can I just wipe the melted parts clean with rubbing alcohol and replace the belt? Is there anything I should be careful of?

And does anyone know the size of belt I need for this unit? I found one on eBay but it's coming from California, I'd like one sooner but have no idea what size belt it is to get it locally.

What a gooey mess. Hopefully nothing was shorted/damaged on the board.

I had a very similar issue with my Aiwa audio cassette walkman. Interesting. Aiwa may have used a rubber/belt supplier that was really subpar.

Yeah I hope so. What did you end up using to clean it?