How do I fix a Magnavox ZV420MW8 which plays for ten seconds then stops and turns itself off. Acts like it thinks it is at the end of tape.I appreciate ny help.

Arthur Tang

• 734 Answers
• Posted on Feb 21, 2012

SOURCE: Magnavox ZV427MG9 DVD Recorder VCR Combo plays vcr for about 5 second then stops and shut off, when turned back on it ejects the tape.

This combo has a problem with the vcr unit which take up wheel will stop working and spill the tape. the unit will stop and eject the tape. You have to replace the whole vcr assembly.

SOURCE: when playing back vcr tapes on my magnavox ZV427MG9 A, i have a tracking problem with tapes recorded on slp. i get white streaks on the playback, and manual tracking does not help. tapes recorded on s

The VCR has at least four "heads" two are for 2 hr and two for 6 hour (sp and slp)

It is most likely one of the heads used in the SLP mode is slightly blocked with tape debris--heads need to be manually cleaned in the right way.

SOURCE: The VCR accepts the tape and starts to play; then stops and shuts off; when you turn the power back on the tape ejects

You have a transport problem, the mechanism the plays, FF or rewinds is not working.

Someone is going to have to open and look at the unit---as simple as a belt off or broken to the idler (rubber or geared) that doe the actual work, finding a shop that will work on a VCR unit is getting hard as most of the current techs have never seen this type of unit.

What I used to do when I opened one was have a old cassette with the tape removed! but the reels inside of it still there--tape off both sides of the cassette where it opens so the sensors on either side do not try to stop the unit from allowing this.

This way with the unit open and the dummy cassette in you can see thru its top to see if the reels are moving or not and not have the tape get in the way.