I'm looking for "Yes, there's a straightforward fix" or "No, toss it"
responses. I'm not trying to initiate a long, drawn-out discussion full of
wild speculation.

Tapes load, and are wrapped around the drum. But they don't begin playing. Nor
do wind/rewind work.

The capstan is pressed firmly against the pinch roller, but it doesn't turn.
The idler gear (that engages the hubs for playback tension and wind/rewind)
does appear to work, as the hubs briefly "twitch" when the tape is loaded. The
idler gear connects to the capstan -- turning the capstan rotates the idler
gear.

I don't have a service manual.

Thoughts, anyone? Thanks in advance.

"We already know the answers -- we just haven't asked the right questions."
-- Edwin Land

First a couple of questions:

1) Do the heads spin at all during the loading process?

2) Have you checked the condition of the belts at all?

I would check the capstan belt first. Without this, you won't get any tape movement. I suspect that the tape is not being retracted into the cassette either. This could be a slipping capstan belt or a failed capstan motor.

Dan

First a couple of questions:

1) Do the heads spin at all during the loading process?

Absolutely.


2) Have you checked the condition of the belts at all?

Yes, those I can get to.


I would check the capstan belt first. Without this, you won't get any
tape movement.

Turning the capstan by hand turns the idler gear and (I think) the opposite is
true. This is a very late machine, and difficult to fully disassemble.


I suspect the tape is not being retracted into the cassette, either.

Well, when I press Eject, the tape is pulled back and the cassette ejected. Is
that what you mean?

William Sommerwerck wrote:
I'm looking for "Yes, there's a straightforward fix" or "No, toss it"
responses. I'm not trying to initiate a long, drawn-out discussion
full of wild speculation.

Tapes load, and are wrapped around the drum. But they don't begin
playing. Nor do wind/rewind work.

The capstan is pressed firmly against the pinch roller, but it
doesn't turn. The idler gear (that engages the hubs for playback
tension and wind/rewind) does appear to work, as the hubs briefly
"twitch" when the tape is loaded. The idler gear connects to the
capstan -- turning the capstan rotates the idler gear.

I don't have a service manual.

Thoughts, anyone? Thanks in advance.

"We already know the answers -- we just haven't asked the right
questions." -- Edwin Land

Hi William,

I think I have the same machine somewhere in my garage. Maybe checking the
ESR of the caps would be a good place to start? I remember at some point
years ago I had to clean the mode switch to correct some strange behaviors.
Be careful of the timing marks if you do remove it. There is a V-notch that
has to be aligned. Again, take a good look at it before you pull it out.

Also, make sure the loading mechanism makes it to the end of its travel.
That tiny loading belt can slip though the power would probably just shut
off if it did time out.

Good luck.
--
David Farber
Los Osos, CA

Based upon the responses, I would agree that the likely cause of this is the mode switch. Careful removal of this, cleaning it and replacing it should resolve the problem.

Dan

Based upon the responses, I would agree that the likely cause
of this is the mode switch. Careful removal of this, cleaning it
and replacing it should resolve the problem.


Thanks to Dave and Dan for their excellent suggestions. Perhaps it would be
wise to get a service manual.

William Sommerwerck wrote:
Based upon the responses, I would agree that the likely cause
of this is the mode switch. Careful removal of this, cleaning it
and replacing it should resolve the problem.


Thanks to Dave and Dan for their excellent suggestions. Perhaps it
would be wise to get a service manual.

I have the paper manual for HR-S7000U which I think is the same chassis. If
you need a scan of the alignment procedure, let me know.

--
David Farber
Los Osos, CA

"David Farber" wrote in message ...
William Sommerwerck wrote:

I have the paper manual for HR-S7000U which I think is the same
chassis. If you need a scan of the alignment procedure, let me know.

Thank you for the offer.

I'm not sure what I need. I don't see how to take it apart to get to the mode
switch (which I assume is the grey-and-white thingy near the front, on the
right of the transport).

If it wouldn't be too much trouble to scan just that information -- removal +
adjustment -- it would be appreciated. No rush.