Quasar VCR Problem Solved......

[Janitor Tzap]

I got in an old Quasar VH5251YW.{Circa; 1985}
With a problem with it being stuck in rewind.

I can't find a service manual for it.
I've already tried Sams PhotoFacts and came up with nothing.

I know Panasonic and RCA have used this same chassis for they're own VCR's.
So, I'm trying to find one of their service manuals to use.

Any one know what model RCA, Panasonic, that was, that I can use?

Note:{I don't want to buy a schematic, if I don't have too.}


Signed: Janitor Tzap

[Chris Smith]

Is is the electronics stuck in Reverse, or mechanical parts?

[Edd]

.
What, no other helpees, well, I'll initially help get the troubleshooting juices flowing, specifically:
..... Holy Mackeral dere Andy, you be 'de helpEE and I be 'de helpOR.

Looking at the common use of the same belt kits for the units, it looks as if the units parent company...Matsushita...with their Punysonic models series also has models:
PV1442
PV1535
... 1540
... 1545
PV1640
... 1643
All are using the same belts...so there are some 'mo numbers to work with using your Pubic lib-er-aries Sams Schematics Manuals
Specifically Sams' ...numbah's: Vee Cee Ruh #178 and #220.

Plus... with that units model number... it is as old as Jobe...not saying that it won't respond magnificently to an efective repair. It probably doesn't even have an unitized VHF-UHF tuner. And... it might even use top of unit cassette tray loading vice front loading. Plus, does it use touchpad keys for activating play-ff-rev-stop functions, or the top mechanical "piano" keyboard such as the old top loaders use?

Considering the complex electro mechanics transport / timing / niceties involved , with this unit, what one might initially suspect, are broken or sagged / slipping drive /loading/reel belts.

A center/top lamp (Protrudes within the cassette bottoms large hole opening), which then shines across to beam out onto adjacent sensors that are for tape feed and end of tape sensing. The newer units use an infrared emitter in place of that...thus being invisible. Check and confirm that operation is present betwen the lamp sensing and the sensors, watching for high back leakage developing on one of the the photosensors.

A center located, ..between the tape reels ....transverse idler assebly may have had its clutch pads adhesive fail and letting the clutch felt spin free without its mechanically grabbing. Or a plastic center core portion may have cracked and let the whole ...spring loaded / compressed assembly fly apart.

If this uses the metal cased, side mount, SMPS supply in a 8 x 2 x 3 in housing that the main AC cord enters into, check for its electrolytic filter capacitors deterioration. Especially its 220-330 ufd units that are on the cold / secondary side of the supply.

That may give you some very common troublesome things to check out initially.

[email protected] ...........(Interstellar~~~~Warp~~~Speed)
[email protected].........(Firewalled*Spam*Cookies*Crumbs)
73's de Edd



What in the world is the urge that makes dogs chase cars that they have no intention of commandeering and driving?

.

[jollyrgr]

Check the end of tape sensor. There will be either a light bulb or dual IR LED that sticks up thru the center of the cassette. On either side of the cassette will be a pickup photo diode or transistor or similar. Make sure this sensor is not seeing some other light source or is not out of alignment. When the EOT is reached the light source is supposed to trigger the motors to stop and the brakes to be applied. If you advance the clear leader to the full spool many VCRs will take up some slack until it sees dark tape. If this sensor is receiving light it will continue to rewind the tape until it no longer sees light.

[Janitor Tzap]

Ok....

I'll give you all the spec's........

This is a Quasar 4 Video Head, Mono VCR.
VHS Front Loading Cassette.
300 Ohm screw terminals for UHF In & Out.
75 Ohm RF-Terminals for VHF In & Out.
Composite RCA Jacks for audio & video In & Out
Picture Sharpness control.
Camera Remote Jack.
Playback \ Record Speeds; SP/LP/SLP.
IR Remote Control.
Slow Motion Tracking Control & Normal Tracking Control.
Play/x2.
Rew/FF Search.
Slow motion / Frame Advance.
Pause / Still Frame.
Clock / Timer.

What I've done so far.......

I've pulled a part the "Mode Select Switch" and cleaned out the dirt and
lightly polished the contacts, put some tuner spray on the contacts.
Then I re-assembled the switch, put it into it default position.
Re-Aligned the gears to match the switches default position, then mounted
and adjusted it.

Next...
Cleaned and adjusted Cassette Bucket Switches.

Next....
I checked the IR Tape LED.
It is working just fine.

Next....
Checked & cleaned the two belts; Load Belt / Capstan Drive Belt.
Checked & cleaned the Idler Tire.
Checked & cleaned the Pinch Roller.
All are in good condition.

I'm suspect that the tape end sensors could be the problem.
I'm going to check them next.

But because of the age of this VCR, parts are getting hard to find.
That's why I'm looking for a schematic.
I want the Orignal Part Numbers of the "End Sensors" and other components.
So, I can find them, or cross the part numbers to replacement parts.

Edd,
Those Sams Numbers VCR178 - VCR220.
Are Circa 1988 to early 1989. {A little too new}
I'll check those Panasonic Model Numbers and see if any of them are close.
Thanks for the help.

{I can see why this person has held onto this unit for so long.}
{It has features that alot of DVD Players or Recorders don't have.}


Signed: Janitor Tzap

[Janitor Tzap]

UPDATE:

Well, I found the problem.....

The Mode Select Switch was the culprit.

It didn't look bad at first.
But after pulling it apart a second time.
I found the copper wiper that is attached to the plastic slide had snapped off.
I made several tries to re-attach it.
But it just kept snapping off when I tried to re-assemble the switch.

I then went to a friends shop, and dug into his piles of old scrap VCRs.
Found a good Mode Switch I could use.
I installed it and Bingo!
All was well.

My friend pointed out that the one Load Belt was starting to get bad as well.
So I asked him to order me one when he placed his parts orders.


Signed: Janitor Tzap