My Symphonic vcr will play a tape for 2 seconds or so, then shut off and eject the tape... help?

Dustin Danver, January 2005

Symphonic WF802 combo VCR/DVD will load a HHS tape then power-off leaving the tape inside the player. The entire unit was hardly used, like new.

R, May 2021

http://groups.google.com/group/sci.electronics.repair/browse_thread/thread/d8e5eafc65080f7/b8fce4b3f677a23d%23b8fce4b3f677a23d?sa=X&oi=groupsr&start=2&num=3

The cam responsible for ejecting the tape is stuck. Unplug the unit and unscrew the back from the front. On the bottom right of the VCR housing, you'll see the tape around the drum; gently loosen it from the drum so the cassette can leave the unit with the tape.

On the left, you'll see a tiny motor on a pulley to a disc; these are above the giant white gear-cam. With your finger, rotate the disc clockwise until the tape ejects. Do not attempt to turn the gear-cam itself. The tape will eject.

Screw the rear case back on. You're done.

Andrew, December 2005

Common causes, vcr's in general..
1. Foreign object obstructing cassette (eg. a label, toy).
2. No capstan and/or reel rotation (older models, may be belt off).
3. No cylinder rotation. (low torque to cylinder motor or faulty servo.. usually a bad sign!)
4. Misalignment of the mechanism or damaged loading gears (especially if any grinding noise).

Cobweb, January 2005