Depends on the model what it'll do in certain situations. I only just recently got into U-Matic myself and they seem pretty cool. My only issue is I don't have any actual tapes that I need to convert haha.
On certain models, it could be normal that the one reel turns if the basket is disconnected electrically and there's no tape in the half loaded position.
So I guess the question is, did this machine used to work and then all of the sudden stopped working, or is this just your first testing of it as a new machine acquisition and this is just what it is doing?
You might also try physically blocking the light path tape end sensors (should be easy to identify given they are regular red LEDs) which there should be two and see if that causes the reel to stop turning. Could be those end sensors are out of alignment and their path may not be getting appropriately blocked when the tape is put in.
I thought about putting a U-Matic repair/refurb service out there, but shipping such heavy machines around doesn't seem like a great idea due to shipping charges and potential shipping damage both ways. So far, I'm 4 for 5 in getting as is/unknown condition machines going.
The one I did not get working I'm pretty sure had a mouse nest in it and also probably some mouse chewed wires. I fixed the chewed wires I could see, but there could be more. It also had a cracked PCB which may have happened before or after shipping since it didn't have a bottom plate when it shipped (probably due to being rack mounted at some point for cooling?) I'm going to go out on a limb and guess these are not the causes of your problem haha.
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