Panasonic AG-1980 auto ejects with Error F04?
 

Hi all,

My Panasonic AG-1980g is auto ejecting (partialy) after 10 seconds. Appreciate any thoughts or tips to troubleshoot and fix this. Notes below and video/photos attached. Thanks!

Symptoms:
• Tape loads and threads around the drum normally
• Playback starts and runs for ~5–10 seconds
• Then the deck stops and attempts to eject
• The eject cycle does not complete — cassette partially ejects, but the tape remains outside the cartridge
• I have to manually wind the tape back into the cassette
• Display shows F04

Background:
• Deck was working 4 or so months ago
• I did have one tape shed a noticeable amount of tape (oxide?) inside the deck

What I’ve done:
• Cleaned tape path (heads, guides, capstan). Air and 90%+ isopropyl and lint-free swabs where appropriate
• Cleaned out visible debris (still some left but its proving difficult to remove)
• Cleaned and re-lubricated the loading guide tracks with Super Lube

Remove pinch roller assembly, clean shaft and apply a few drops of oil on shaft.
And replace link gear VDP1434 (should be replaced no matter it looks OK or not, do not use 3d prints).
2 things what should be done anyway. Before you go deeper.

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

This may help:
https://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/vcr...v-hs950bs.html

Thanks. That ebay listing doesnt ship to my location but I found this one. Going to give it a try and follow your suggestions.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/27618441501...4AAOSwvhRlXmLt

-- merged --

I'm having a hard time finding where that link gear is (VDP1434). Any advice on how to locate it in the deck?

Do get to the loading motor coupler, you have to completely remove the deck and the circuit board on the bottom of the deck, and the motor is on the underside. From there, you have to take the motor out which is one screw and a clip that you have to pinch from the top. Then once that motor assembly is out, you have to pop the motor out and take the spiral gear off and the little coupler is under that spiral gear.

Look at schematics provided by ebay seller mentioned in post #3:

Attachment 20348

Isn't F04 the dew sensor?
The service manual has a list of codes.

F 04: check the loading motor drive circuit, check mechanism phase alignment (timing),
--------------------------
H 01: cylinder lock detected, cylinder does not start >> check the cylinder motor drive circuit
H 02: check the capstan motor drive circuit
F 03: check the loading motor, check mechanism phase alignment (timing), check the mode switch.
F 05: check the capstan motor drive circuit, check supply/take-up reel pulse
F 06: check the loading motor drive circuit , check the mechanism phase alignment
F 07 Rec power voltage does not appear in rec mode >> check rec power supply circuit
F 08 rec power voltage appears except rec mode >> check rec power supply circuit
F 09 no serial clock transmission between IC6001 and IC 7501 >> check serial clock circuit