Zenith VCR Play Problem/HELP!!!!

Mick

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Feb 28, 1997, 3:00:00 AM2/28/97

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Hi Experts,

I have a old zenith VCR on which I used to play most movies (rentals as
well).
Last time I hada problem, when I press play button, it would not play,
just after 5 secs (no picture), it would shut off the whole vcr
including power.

I opened it and there was a pen cap inisde, I took it out and cleaned
Head. It worked for 2 weeks most time (some times same behaviour, and I
will try and try again)

Now I have the same problem, I need help, what is the problem.
Needs step by step troubleshooting Hints.
I can not afford to spend 50-100$ on this old VCR.
Advance thanks to helper,
please email me...

Mick
rak...@istar.ca

Davetech

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Mar 1, 1997, 3:00:00 AM3/1/97

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See the FAQ. Sounds like you just need to replace the belts, idler
tire and give the mechanism a good cleaning.

Mick <rak...@istar.ca> wrote:

Davetech (dnes...@mindspring.com)

Sam Goldwasser

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Mar 2, 1997, 3:00:00 AM3/2/97

to rak...@istar.ca

See the FAQ. When was the last time the rubber parts were checked, cleaned,
inspected? I bet the pen cap was coincidental and you really need to replace
some belts and so forth.

--- sam : Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.paranoia.com/~filipg/REPAIR/

SAILRED

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Mar 2, 1997, 3:00:00 AM3/2/97

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hello
chances are your vcr has a problem with loading.the grease used on the
loading assy is probably dried up,for a quick fix,a silicone spray on the
big round cam gear will help,if you have it use a little molitone grease
after but be careful not to spray silicone on heads or any part that
touches tape during play back.use patience.
sailred

Brian Hughes / Change to .net

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Mar 3, 1997, 3:00:00 AM3/3/97

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If this is the model line I think, it's probably suffering from
"molycrete". That's what happens to the black molybdenum grease that
is used on the mode gear assembly after a few years of heat & dust.
The only cure is a complete disassembly and soaking in alcohol, then
scrub with a toothbrush. Relubricate and reassemble. If you try
this, when you reassemble make sure the timing holes are lined up on
the gear and plate, then on the bottom of the VCR line up the index
arrow on the black gear with the notch in the frame. When power is
reapplied, the mechanism should initialize, then stop, if not, try
again - you don't have it timed right.
This type was very hardy and seldom developed any other problem.

Undergraduate Labs

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Mar 3, 1997, 3:00:00 AM3/3/97

to rak...@istar.ca

Mick wrote:
>
> Hi Experts,

>
> I have a old zenith VCR on which I used to play most movies (rentals as
> well).
> Last time I hada problem, when I press play button, it would not play,
> just after 5 secs (no picture), it would shut off the whole vcr
> including power.
>
> I opened it and there was a pen cap inisde, I took it out and cleaned
> Head. It worked for 2 weeks most time (some times same behaviour, and I
> will try and try again)
>
> Now I have the same problem, I need help, what is the problem.
> Needs step by step troubleshooting Hints.
> I can not afford to spend 50-100$ on this old VCR.
> Advance thanks to helper,
> please email me...
>
> Mick
> rak...@istar.ca

This sounds like the common Zenith problem that I use to fix in my
younger days. I would look at the load up gear and motor assembley
(back right hand side). It is nothing major but you must probably
replace the belt, and also make sure that the gears run smoothly through
out the whole loading up process. Turn the gears by hand first to make
sure. Apperantly Zenith did not use the correct grease in that part of
the gear assembly. The grease they did use turns to almost glue and
causes the belt to work harder and the gears to jam up.
Hope this helps.
--

----------------------------------------
Phil Scolieri - Engineering Technologist
Undergraduate Labs
Physics Department
University of Toronto