Panasonic NV-HS950BS ejects tape after loading?
 

This Panasonic NV HS950BS S-VHS video recorder was purchased in December 1999. It was not used frequently and 2 years later I purchased my first DVD player, so I suspect from that point onwards it was rarely used.

It has been stored in a cupboard since then and only now am I attempting to use it in order to convert some old VHS tapes to digital. Unfortunately I'm unable to get it to work. As it was working when it was put into storage (from what I remember) I assume the issue is due to its age and lack of use!

The following YouTube video shows the issue. It appears that the tape guides are not fully moving. It's difficult to determine if this is due to some sort of resistance in any of the parts. The tape reel mechanism appears to be turning as I did wonder if this was preventing the tape from being pulled out. I have repeatedly tried 6 different tapes and get the same problem.

https://youtu.be/c67WQgBcZ_o

I've done some googling and watched some videos, but haven't found anything that appears to be exactly the same as my issue.

Any idea what the issue might be and if I would be able to repair it?

I will probably give it a clean and add some new grease/oil, but considering it is 27 years old I'm amazed at how clean the internals are!

Broken loading motor link gear.

https://www.ebay.de/itm/336380481914

Find original VDP1434 not 3D print.

And transport should be serviced anyway - rails cleaned and re-greased and pinch roller shaft too.

The tape tread in fully, if the coupling was cracked it would have not passed that test so to speak. Plus no strange noise (rattling).
I'm tempted to say the large plastic lever (underside mech) is partially cracked, happens a lot on these models. Just a guess.
In any case no choice for you, disassemble and inspect

You can hear loading motor spinning at the end of loading very well. Link gear is cracked but still has some grip to start loading. It should be replaced anyway as a part of standard K mechanism service.

Could be also sticky grease on pinch roller shaft? (like happen on my HS950)

Could (and is, I am sure). But link gear is cracked. There are several things what should be done when service K mechanism:

1.Replace link gear with new (nylon, not 3D print). Be careful not to brake SVHS detection lever;
2.Clean grease from guide rails and apply new grease (nearly any grease for car bearing will be OK);
3.Remove pinch roller assembly, clean shaft from hardened grease and apply few drops of sewing machine or turbine oil on shaft. Not grease.

And make general cleaning. Old black grease on plastic gears is probably fine, I would leave it alone.

All other depends on particular mechanism condition.

Thanks for all the pointers. Now I need to attempt to understand all the terminology (pinch roller assembly, link gear etc) and determine exactly where that is on the mechanism. There are some useful videos around, so they may help providing the video creator mentions these things :)

-- merged --

Just a thought, I don't suppose you know anyone near Leeds (UK) that would be able to service this player? I did a Google search and it seems most repair companies only fix TV's or more modern equipment.

I do have a couple of numbers I could potentially call, but they are some distance away from me.

I think I will attempt to take it apart and look around the internals and do what I can, but if it still doesn't work, and hopefully I don't make it worse, I would like a plan B.

The only reason I want to get it working is so that I can convert some VHS tapes I have, to digital and then I will probably sell it.

From what I've read and seen, it does appear to be a well made machine!

Watch THIS VIDEO this is an official Panasonic K-mech disassembly video.

Have a look at the .pdf /images i have included aswell

Here are 2 more - 950 and K SM

Brilliant! Thanks for those links.

The video seems to be clear enough that even I can follow the instructions, so will definitely be having a go this weekend.

You were spot on!

After watching lots of Utube videos, I took it apart, removed the motor and could see the plastic link was cracked. It pulled off easily and there was grease all over the spindle.

I cleaned it up and super glued the plastic link gear onto the spindle. I also cleaned up the old grease on the rails and replaced. Cleaned the heads, but hardly any dirt was removed, in fact the interior was very clean already, probably because it was never used much.

My 26 year old VCR now loads the tapes without issue.

Now to order some analogue to digital cables and a data capture card for my PC.

Thanks to all for the help, especially radiokom.

No, it is not a solution, even temporary. Do not use machine with that glued gear.
You should replace that link gear with new nylon gear.
Simply push new gear on spindle, no glue required.

https://www.ebay.de/itm/336380481914

Do not buy 3D prints, order this.

Thanks for the link. That's a better price than I've seen elsewhere and I have a son who lives in the Netherlands, so could have it delivered to him.

Why shouldn't I use the machine with that piece glued on? What difference does it make?

Because super glue will hold link gear only for few loading and finally you will get machine with stuck cassette inside, what should be manually ejected. It is unnecessary PITA.

Perhaps you can get it from here:
https://www.donberg.co.uk/descript/v/vdp_1434.htm

P.S. However looks like they have minimal order value, so buy from that German seller.

Thanks for the heads up.

I did find that link when I was looking for somewhere to source the spare part, then during checkout realised they had a minimum order value, which is a real shame.

You can buy from this seller, he ships to UK:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263289900020

+ do not forget to remove pinch roller assembly, clean shaft and apply few drops of oil (not grease) on shaft.
It is critical.

I confess I didn't do this as I was trying to disturb as little as possible to avoid accidentally breaking anything or just as bad, not knowing how to reassemble it!

I will probably sell the player when I've finished with it, so want the repair to last, so I've taken your advise and ordered the plastic motor link gear and will have a look at cleaning and oiling the pinch roller assembly when I fit it, assuming I can remove the glued part :)

Pinch roller assembly removal is very simple.
Article 3-17 page 25
Fig. A17

It should be lubricated. Any sewing machine oil can be used.