Highland Electrix (TV)
VCR and DVD FAULTS

Database for your Make/Model/Fault

HOT=Running for 20mins or more
WARM=Running for 5 mins
COLD=fault occurs for only the first few mins
C=Capacitor R=Resistor ZD=Zener Diode
2R2=2.2ohm 4U7F=4.7uf 1M2=1.2megohm
E2E=signal thru video to TV using Video channel


My best advice about Video Faults:-

If the tape won't eject, then unplug from the mains, wait 20 secs turn set upside down then plug in again and press eject
do this twice, and listen for motor noises, It will often eject, or you will hear a motor running too fast ,due to belts or gears
if this fails then look inside, see if all the belts or moving with the motors as you plug in the power
(don't forget the belts under the deck)

The most common fault on modern vcrs , is the mode switch, which tells the computer chip,
that runs the machine where the mechanics are. It causes all sorts of odd symptoms

The next most common faults are caused by the reel/idler and clutch which drives the supply and take up spools
its usually driven from the capstan motor, via a pully/belt

The third most common problem is tape path distortion, caused by brakes and pinchroller,limiter arm

Eject Looping usually caused by brakes/mode switch or reel pulley/idler
Press play and watch the tape come out of the cassette ,pulled by the loading arms evenly and smoothly out the same distance and butt into the Vee blocks
then watch as it moves along, from where it leaves the cassette,
round the tension band brake lever.      it should bounce back against the tape when tapped backwards and released
then round the erase head, then round the spinning video head,
see if its flat and taut against the head and guides
then where it passes the ACE (sound head) , again it should be flat and firm against the head face ( if not do NOT adjust the head )
then round the capstan ( silver shaft of the underneath motor) pressed by the pinchwheel.
Are you sure the tape is touching the ACE head ?{ the one on the right }
Is the top or bottom of the tape being wrinkled after leaving the cassette ?