"Jumpster Jiver" wrote in message
news:XbPUe.15716$Qv6.2702@trndny04...
Dave D wrote:
I have acquired a Sony EV-S700UB 8mm VCR. It came to me with a fault,
namely the cassette draw often opens on power on, ejecting the tape. On
trying to close the draw to load a tape, the draw will not go fully home
and will not latch. Cycling the power a few times and hitting the eject
button seems to "reset" things and the tape loads successfully, until the
next power off or sometimes when it feels like it.

Once a tape loads, the video and audio are fine, and all other functions
seem to work. Obviously, I don't expect a proper diagnosis based on such
a flimsy description, but I was hoping maybe this is a common fault with
a common solution, ie slipping belt etc. I can go in and repair it no
problem, but a head start would be most beneficial as it's rather
complex!

Thanks in advance

Dave
Sounds like some gears could be out of alignment.
Or it could be a dirty or faulty mode switch.
...And some models have ribbon-cables that go bad from flexing too many
times and must be replaced.
It may take a careful visual and electrical inspection with a svc manual
to track down the fault.

Hi,

Thanks for that. I managed to get it working after a lot of trouble. I
removed the mode switch, which was a right faff on, saturated it with
lubricating switch cleaner and rotated it several times. Reassembled, still
no good.

I observed the long plastic linkage above the spools which when operating
seemed to slow down and stop as if jammed, which corresponded withthe fault
every time. It turned out that the very small motor which operates this part
of the mechanism (I couldn't even find it for about an hour!) was weak and
its gears bunged up with crud and old grease. On removing the motor it
appeared that Sony in their wisdom had applied a blob of grease just above
the commutator. I removed the grease, flushed the motor with lubricating
switch cleaner (it has nylon/plastic bearings so it should be OK) and
reassembled. The linkage moves quickly and smoothly now, and so far the
fault has not reappeared.


Dave