Panasonic NV-HS950 ejects tape after few seconds?
 

Hi everyone,

I recently bought a used Panasonic NV-HS950. Everything was working fine at first, but after about an hour of use, the VCR stopped accepting tapes properly. When I insert a tape, it pulls it in but ejects it again after about 3 seconds.

I can hear a sound coming from the mechanism, as if it’s trying to do something but doesn’t have enough power or grip. Interestingly, if I leave the VCR unplugged overnight, it will work again the next morning — it accepts and plays the tape just fine. But if I eject that tape and try to insert another one, the same issue returns immediately.

It seems like the machine works when it’s cold, but once it warms up, it fails to load tapes properly.

I’ve attached a video where you can hear the sound coming from the mechanism just before the tape is ejected.

https://youtu.be/KjF_EyoBsQ0

Has anyone experienced a similar problem or know where I should start looking before I begin disassembling the whole thing?

Thanks in advance!

You know what i'm gonna say -> mode switch . But your cold/warm thing could be something concomitant

I just know i've rescued a hd-605 (same mech than yours) it had the filthiest mode switch i've seen. After a good cleaning, it was a swiss clockwork.

In most cases, "clean the mode switch" is as silly as "clean the heads", because it's tossed around like generic advice to cure whatever ails a deck.

But in this case, you may be correct.

Some units appear to have chronic mode switch issues, sort of like how certain JVC decks have chronic motor issues, or Panasonic caps, etc.

oh yeah i forget it's on this one i had a crack on the coupling motor (solved with superglue / sanding shaft)) aswell, you might want to check that aswell (while you're on the mode switch that is).

The sound you hear may be just that (motor struggling because it can't really engage the next gear up, then it's a safety eject -> do not earn $ 20K :D

Did you resolved it?

I found there could be 2 basic problems with K mech (along with possible loading motor gear crack) if otherwise machine is in good condition.

1.Pinch roller stud lubrication. Remove pinch roller assembly and put a few drops of synthetic oil on stud. If rollers does not move freely up and down cassette is ejected.
2. Mode switch contact and contact stud on mainboard cleaning. It should be done + check contact stud on main board is not loose. I just replaced that stud on 950, because plastic was deteriorated and it got loose.

Old grease on plastic parts is commonly OK, except under moving guides should be replaced. If transport is clean you can leave it alone.