My VCR turns off several seconds after I turn it on, and I can not eject my tape. How can I remove it? I took off the cover, but don't know how to get the tape out of the carriage. It's a Mitsu HS-U59. I don't know if a fuse was blown or what happened. I was rewinding it and it turned off on its own. I hate to take it in for repairs as it is over 10 years old and will cost me $0 just for an estimate. Thanks for your help!

Nancy O., December 2004

Thanks all of you 'threaded' below - it worked for me in 2012! - I was going to strip the unit down and throw away the parts! Mine is a HS-M59 (UK?)
I've got it working with an elastic (rubber) band from my stationery drawer!

Berni, October 2012

I fixed my Mitsubishi HS-U59 VCR (not submarine) by replacing the belt with a rubber braclet my daughter got at Chuck E. Cheese. No more won't eject and then turns off after 5 seconds problem!

Nick at Night, December 2008

I tried this on a Matsui VP 9406 vcr and it worked a treat!

The message `THIS VIDEO BELONGS TO` is displayed
On the front of the video hold channel up button and press QTR for about five seconds, this should unlock the machine.

Good luck!

Getafix!

Getafix!, August 2007

I had this problem with the Mitsubish HS-U59 as well, and in case it helps anyone, try this: take the bottom cover off, and check if your belt has fallen off. If the gears are intact, place it back on (small black wheel and smooth white wheel). Put the cover back in place (I think there's a safety interlock device that prevents it from working when opened), but no need to screw it on. With the vcr still on its back, plug in and turn on. Tape should eject now. If not, unplug and manually advance the large metal flywheel to inch the tape out as mentioned above).

Hope this helps!

The Chort, December 2006

The drive belt needs to be replaced. It either fell off or broke. There is only one belt. To get to it remove the bottom panel.

Patrick Waring, September 2006

I too have a Mitsubishi HS U59 that wont eject and powers off. To get the tape out, you can stand the unit on its side and power up or push eject. This seems to release the pressure on the loose belt enough to allow it to eject easily. My belt had come off as well, several times, so I know I need to replace the belt. Now, if I can find one...

D. Allison, November 2005

Just ran into same problem with my HS-U59. After removing the bottom metal cover (while unplugged!) I noticed that the drive belt came off. There is only one belt in this model. Mounting it back on the two wheels and staring the VCR it did eject the cassette. However, the belt is not tight. Probably aged. So I am ordering a new belt (costing $1) here:

http://www.iglou.com/studiosound/mbk-37.htm

Vig, October 2005

I have exactly the same problem Nancy O. describes. Starting yesterday. Also, HS-U59 (bought in 1994) powers off by itself after 15 seconds on! I unplugged, knocked it about, powered on, got the tape out, then re-connected, put the tape in and the tape is stuck again!

Anyone solved it yet? Maybe, parts are broken, and I just have to throw it out?
Help!

Mariks, August 2005

I have a little bit of info that might be helpful to someone out there.

I have a Magnavox/Philips 90's vcr and there was a tape in it that would not eject. It would not do anything. When I turned it on it would make a sound like it was starting up (whirring sound) then it would just turn off. I read lots of sites to see what to do and found one that told how to manually eject the tape. I was looking around in the VCR to see if I could find the worm drive the site was talking about. I noticed there was a belt drive that seemed to be running things so I tried to turn it. When the vcr was on the motor and belt would turn feely but when it was off it wouldn't turn. I unplugged the vcr and tried to turn it (just a little turn towards the front of the vcr by putting my finger on top of the pully and rolling towards the front) and it turned and made a little click noise down where the belt was attached below so I plugged it in again and the tape ejected! It works fine now.

Short version: Try unplugging the vcr and turning the belt drive a little (both ways) and plug it in again and see if it works.

Hope this helps someone.

Lora, July 2005

I had the same problem. The belt fell off. Unplug the VCR. Remove the bottom panel. Spin the capstan with the belt attached. The tape will work its way out. If you can't get it all the way out, remove the top/side cover. Yu can see the tape and push it the rest of the way out.

G, December 2004

unplug the vcr, wait a few seconds, plug it back in. the machine should then eject the tape when the eject button is pressed.

flanker46, December 2004

Don't know this model. However, some very common faults with Mitsubishi VCR's of that era...

Underside of unit..capstan pulley (black pulley about the size of a pound or dime, fits onto the brass centre of capstan flywheel), splits and falls off along with the belt.

Topside of unit.. Broken teeth on main loading gear at right side of cassette loading mechanism, requires replacement and modification.

Topside of unit.. Worn reel idler, small rubber drive wheel between the reel tables. Replace or clean.

Cobweb, December 2004