Troubleshooting JVC HR-S9600U not loading tapes?
 

A video to show you what I'm talking about


Randomly my JVC HR-S9600U will not take the cassette fully in and drop it down. After pushing the cassette in, the VCR starts to pull it in, but then it jams up and backs the cassette out.

With the cover off it seems like the problem is that the protective flap on the top of the cassette is not being unlatched properly, and so the edge of the cassette doesn't clear the roller guide, hits it, and then the VCR backs the cassette out. Pulling the cassette out and putting it back in, or pushing it in a bit further manually [sometimes] (with a terrible sounding clunk) pops the protective cover open, lands the cassette where it is supposed to be, and the loading of the tape starts (and the tape starts playing).

I have no idea why the protective top flap isn't opening though. I loaded tapes for hours watching it from every angle and there seems to be no rhyme or reason why it works sometimes, but not others. All of the parts seem ok, nothing bent, broken, cracked, and the little arm on the right side that rotates and pushes a small protrusion out into the side of the cassette seems normal (and works sometimes).

Any help troubleshooting this would be greatly appreciated.

Matt

Whilst I don't have any experience with that exact mechanism, I have noticed almost the exact same symptoms when the loading carriage is worn or bent a tad. Just the tape not sitting as it should during load and unload. I ended up fitting a new cassette carriage and the fault went away. Sorry not to be more helpful but its always hard to pinpoint such faults remotely.

Time to hit up the service manual: http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/vcr-...r-manuals.html
The 9800 should be almost identical.