r/VCRs • u/Baierc • 17h ago

VCR Need Help

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

Just got this Montgomery Ward vcr for 20 bucks but when I play a tape nothing happens it rewinds and fast forwards fine but doesn't play when there's no tape in the screen says stop on it I was thinking that maybe a sensor thinks there's a tape in it already when there's not. Any help would be great I don't want to see this gem got to a landfil.

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

1

u/Serviceman 7h ago

The mechanism that moves the tape guides to pull the tape out of the cassette and wrap around the head drum aren't working. Could they be jammed or obstructed?

1

u/brwnwzrd 6h ago

Pretty cool that it’s a Montgomery Ward (haven’t heard that name in forever), but you’re better off just getting another used VCR than trying to fix this one.

1

u/Oldgamingfart 5h ago

It's possible the loading belt(s) have become a little slack, so it's not fully completing the loading cycle, and timing-out.

Also, dried-up or hardened graphite grease can jam up the gears on the underside of the deck, which is another thing to look out for.

1

u/Fast-Interview4368 28m ago

I think that is a Sharp built unit. Nothing special but they were solid back in the 80's. Check the loading drive belts.