Hi, I picked up this awesome VCR from an eWaste bin a few weeks ago, but it's giving me some issues.
I can't find any documentation about it online, but a date stamp inside says its from January 1982.
It's in remarkable condition for its age, and it seems to power up well enough. I can set the date and time, and all the buttons that should work seem to work. Even the rubbers and belts (that I've been able to find) seem to be in good condition.
Problem is, it won't play tapes. When I pop one in, it accepts it happily, but none of the rollers move in to engage and the "tape loading" light just stays on eternally. I will try lubricating, but I don't hear any sounds of seized components struggling so I'm not sure that's the issue.
It ejects the tape quite happily too. For some reason if the "timer" button is on it just keeps spitting the tape out straight away. Not sure if this is relevant.
It's very crowded inside this machine, and you have to remove about 20 other components to get at anything worth getting at. So if anybody can give me some advice as to what sort of things I should be looking for that would be a great help before I start pulling it apart too far.
I'm still a bit of a beginner when it comes to electronics, especially AV stuff from this era, so be gentle please