Got an AG1980 that ejects tapes seconds after inserting
 

Got an AG1980 recently that ejects tapes seconds after inserting them. The unit gives a weird winding noise, an led lights up on the display of a tape when its inserted, then the tape gets ejected. Anything in particular I should look at when I open it up? Idler tire or any other worn rubber part? I can't find where these parts are referenced in the service manual, anyone able to point them out?:
http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/atta...g1980p-service

I've never seen this exact error.
Something is either not moving right or jammed in the transport mechanism somewhere.

There's other on this forum, so hopefully one of them has seen this issue before. Really wish I could help out more. :(

the number 1 problem i have found with AG-1980's is the pinch roller assembly.
the lube dries up and it gets very stiff on the pivot.
if not fixed the little plastic dink will break off where it meshes to the cam when in the lowered position.
new pinch roller assemblies are tough to find as they are no longer made - you have to find NOS ones

NOS? :question:

New, Old Stock. aka "the factory replacement part that is collecting dust on someone's shelf somewhere"

Opened the top cover case and recorded some 1080 hd footage of the machine's internals in action.

https://mega.co.nz/#!ORgQkKqR!HJt6MV...GCXwsXdc59ygf8
https://mega.co.nz/#!jNYgDDaT!GB2yhE...VbJjoo0TUibnes
https://mega.co.nz/#!HFJDyToY!dO93lS...Ado3iun4kE3F2I

Sometimes the tape doesn't get fed properly onto the head and gets ejected. Other times the tape appears to start being read and then gets ejected some seconds later for an unknown reason.

I unplugged the power from the device and some seconds later powered it on again and inserted a tape and this one time I got it playing a tape and it has been playing continuously for over an hour with great looking video output.

Let me know if anyone sees anything strange occuring in the videos linked above that I should try to inspect that may be causing the issues mentioned.

Is there anything that are tell tale signs of an AG1980 that's seen lots of hours and many years of use as a workhorse? My untrained eye tells me the outside and inside look to be in great condition but don't know.

Thanks

The tape finished playing to the end and the AG1980 rewound it but will not eject the tape now. Issue appears similar to what volksjager experienced http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/vcr-...ag-1980-a.html

The display showed F03 and now shows F04 which the service manual explains
Cause: Mechanism locks during tape unloading.
Remedy/Check: 1. Check the loading motor drive circuit. 2. Check the mechanism phase alignment.

I am going to leave it unplugged overnight but this will probably be persisting. Can someone point me in the right direction as to the remedies? I am willing to learn.. where is the loading motor drive circuit and the mechanism phase alignment?

post your videos to YT /Vimeo etc and i will watch them and see if i can help
i dont want to have to download them

I want to help, but...
From http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/news...embership.html

Mega requires Javascripts. Not happening.

I haven't watched the videos, but I'm leaning towards the tape transport being out of phase. The K-Mechanism Service Manual (should be available for download here) describes a pretty detailed procedure on how to properly align all the little gears in the transport so everything works right. This manual is separate from the main AG-1980 service manual. Don't be surprised if you find a stripped gear missing a tooth or two.

Uploaded the videos to youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4geJr8Y6so
http://youtu.be/TgtQQrSGcKs
http://youtu.be/nJjUBnKSdhA

I found directions for tape removal in the service manual page 1-4 that I will try tomorrow. Where are the pages for the procedure on how to properly align all the little gears in the transport? Open to any other comments or suggestions. Thanks

Most times inserted tapes get ejected moments later especially if the tape is totally rewound. Sometimes I get tapes to play on the AG1980 after playing or FFing the tape on another deck but after playing them on the AG1980 for a while they usually won't eject and I need to manually apply 4.5v to the worm wheel motor to manually get them out. Generally I see F04 on the display so I am assuming the mechanism phase needs alignment.

I've been reviewing pdfs posted in the forums for the K-Mechanism assembly and phase adjustment procedure 4-1 to 4-7 as well as the 2-3 to 2-17 mechanical adjustment procedures but I don't know what I should first try to adjust. Everything in the manuals says to install and assemble parts to align with another said part but I don't follow as to what I should do if I see any of the holes not in alignment. Which parts should I start dissasemblying to then assemble with the holes aligned? Can anyone shed some light on what and how they aligned their devices?

The Panasonic VCRs are so complicated -- unlike the JVCs -- that I send mine off to Jots or whoever.
Like you, I spend a lot of time reading, and still not knowing how to even start.

i'm having the same trouble. tapes without the write-allow tab eject immediately after inserting. tapes with the record tab work fine.

i have repaired many vcrs using this deck-they are quite invoved but in the service manual correct deck alignment is shown and it really isnt all that difficult....there are variations mechanically however so if you post a picture of your deck chances are i can talk you through it set up wise

All of a sudden, in the last year only, I'm reading lots of reports of various Panasonic S-VHS VCRs (PAL and NTSC) having eject issues. Like the capacitors, I'm wondering if something is aging in the units.

With caps, they're all drying up in the past year or two, and I'm sure we'll hear about it for several more before it dies down (if it dies down).