Tracking / Alignment problems with (old) TEAC MV-306 VCR

[AudioFreak]

My folks have a very old (read almost as old as I am) TEAC MV-306 VCR that has been slowly deteriorating over the past 12 months to the point that tracking functionality is now completely gone and when playing a tape the player will stop and spit the tape out at some random point. Rewind functionality is also dead. If anyone knows any procedures I might be able to try to fix some of these problems and at least get tapes playing properly again for them, it would be greatly appreciated.

[Netlist]

I didn't know Teac ever made VCR's. I expect some OEM chassis from another manufacturer in it.
Could you post a picture of the mechanics and maybe one of the complete player without top?
First thing to do is replace the idler, the belts, the pinch roller and the mode_select_switch if you can find them somewhere.

/Hugo

[Bill Fitzpatrick]

Why not just get them a new one. VCR's are dirt cheap these days.

[AudioFreak]

If I can't get this one working then a new one will be in order but since i'm on holidays for about the next fortnight, I thought I'd take a look at the old one and see if I could get it running without spending much if anything on it except time.

[Duo]

If it plays for a relatively short period of time each time and the rejects the tape and also won't rewind, there are some belts and rollers not gripping. I had this problem with many vcr's and it's easy to repair. I find that if you have the usual pinch roller going between the two reels, acetone is good for making the rubber grip again. Also, the belt under the mechanism gets stretched out over time and too loose. Best to replace it. Acetone can save you replacing some of the rubber parts like the pinch roller so thats good if there isn't a source for parts.

[JOE DIRT®]

there is also magnetic sensor that gets dirty.......pinch rollers are a bugger too


DIRT®

[mrfeedback]

Hi Dan, first step is to surgically clean the tape path - upper and lower drum, all guides, stationary heads and the capstan.
Second is precisely mark the alignment of the mode switch, open it if possible and clean and treat the contacts.
Another thing to check from memory is main filter caps go dry in this series I recall.

Eric.

[AudioFreak]

Ok, below is a summary of what I've done so far.....

1) Pulled the covers off the machine.
2) Cleaned everything in sight that the tape even goes close to except the heads.
3) Replaced a belt that was pretty much dead... 2 of the others are borderline but I dont have suitable replacements for them at present and they seem to be holding up for the time being.

Mechanically, the machine looks to be in reasonable shape. I can now play alot of tapes but some get spit out almost as soon as I put them in and others play for a short time and then get spit out. The tracking controls still have almost no effect and all the tapes that I can play look like it looks when the tracking is out or the heads are dirty (I'm pretty sure the heads are not dirty). If the tape is to be ejected immediately on insertion, the vcr makes some whiring noises like some motors etc and then it spits the tape (these noises dont occur unless the tape is going to be rejected). It seems to particularly dislike commercial prerecorded tapes / rentals etc.

How do I go about checking the alignment??? Where is this mode switch you refer to Eric or what does it look like????

The other thing is that rewind and ff now work but stop after about 5 seconds or so and rewind is particularlly noisy (but doesn't seem to be caused by a belt slipping anywhere that I can see)...

By any chance do any of you have the service manual for this vcr?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

[AudioFreak]

I've tried tried slightly increasing or decreasing back-tension and both result in even worse picture.

I dont know if this will be of any use to you but I've just tried recording on the vcr and then played the tape on my vcr that is in good working order. I made the following observations....

1) The sound is fine
2) The picture is mostly noise but looks perfect during cue / review....

Like I said, I'm really not sure if this will help diagnose the problem but I thought I'd give you as much info as I can.

Thanks.