Hi folks. I don't do a lot of VCR repairs. There just does not seem to be much call for VCR repairs. There was recently however, a need to repair my own VCR-DVD combo unit.

The machine is a Panasonic DMR-EZ48V
DVD-REC / VCR Combo. It receives analogue, and standard definition DVB digital signals from its tuner.

It is a pity that it does not decode High Definition signals. There are becoming less and less TV channels transmitting standard definition, and this unit is now only able to receive and record Standard definition DVB digital signals.

I had bought this unit on 26-5-2012, and it had worked without issue until recently. A month or so ago the VHS section began to shut down when trying to play tapes.

When I finally opened up the machine, I discovered that the cassette carriage was not sitting fully down on the right hand side, and the take- up reel was not rotating. I removed the deck and took the carriage assembly off. I found that a piece of plastic on the main shaft had broken and the a spring was no longer under tension. The part looks to be the VXL 3160 Main shaft. And of course, it is no longer available.

I was forced to repair the the broken plastic piece and get it all back together. There is a bit of a trick to getting the deck alignment correct, and I shall elaborate on my method when I post part two, along with pictures of the way I repaired the loading arm.

Cheers

Wayne.

I have a few VCRs and they have all broken down. Do you still repair them?

If so, I can contact you via email.

Yes I still do repairs on VCR's.
Feel free to email me.

Cheers.

Part 2.

It took me three tries to find a working method to repair the broken plastic arm, on the assembly called “Main Shaft Unit.”
The before and after pictures of the plastic arm, are enough to describe the repair method. Also in the pictures can be seen a previous attempted repair method. Do not try anything involving heat!

When reassembling the carriage to the deck, there are three through the deck alignment holes to be aligned with corresponding holes in other parts. Lock the “Sector Gear Unit” in place using a length of solder through the alignment holes, then fit the front loading mechanism. Ensure that the mode switch aligns with the main cam gear.

This unit is basically a computer and it takes a couple of minutes to start up. This is complicated by the need to have a monitor on and a remote to enter prompts. Also the front panel will need to be on. I tested the machine on a couple of tapes, and then watched the movie “Sweet Charity” to give it a longer test.


Wayne.

Photos uploaded to Post 4.

Good job!

Akin to reaching for the fencing wire.

Feel free to email me.

Ugh, didn't realise you'd changed your address, sent the email again.