Have a combination DVD / VCR unit. Controller works on DVD side only. Would it help to reprogram it?

you should be able to high light the subject or item you want and to move up or down the with the 2 buttons close together, your unit may also work together, 1 side you select and the other side is control panel functions.
this means either the vcr or the dvd player selects the subject and or dvd or vcr controls the movement up, down, right, left.

www.ask.com/mfg.name/make/model/instruction/manual/

http://remotecodelist.com/remotes/magnavox/magnavox.htm lists the code for your device as possibly being 1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, or 1005. Of course, you also have the option of using the remote controller's "Code Search" button. With Codes:
Turn on the DVD/VCR unit directly. Continue to depress the remote controller's "Code Search" button for about ten seconds, release, & the light on the remote controller should stay on. Enter the four-digit code (1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, or 1005) for the DVD/VCR unit. The remote controller's light should go off. Press the remote controller's power button, & when the DVD/VCR unit turns off, then you will know that the remote controller has been correctly programmed.

Without Codes:

With the DVD/VCR unit on, continue to depress the remote controller's "Code Search" button for about ten seconds, release, & the light on the remote controller should stay on. Continue to tap the remote controller's UP or DOWN channel button ONLY UNTIL the DVD/VCR unit responds. Then, press the power button on the remote controller once the channel has changed. If the DVD/VCR unit shuts off, then press the power button again to turn it back on. If the DVD/VCR unit turns on, then the remote controller has been correctly programmed. Otherwise, repeat this whole process until the remote controller is correctly programmed.

Sounds to me like you got the component leads correct but not the composite (video).
See in the link for downloading the manual :-)
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This is their secrect codes,could be anythings.Make sure get it from them,if they don't remenber it the TV/DVD combo will not work correctly or lock u out completey.Return this unit to the owner,get ur money back.

yes its fixable.I had a panasonic recorder that did this and not very old cost me $350,00 not saying that will cost you.but sometime its better getting a new one as they have come down in price.

From my searches I don't think you will find it. Try going to http://www.sony.ca/view/cic_contact.htm and asking them directly for it. I can't see them saying no.

Sorry to say that most universal remotes do not work well with combo devices ie. vcr/dvd, tv/vcr, and so on. One thing you can try doing is to program the vcr portion of the remote to controll the vcr side, and the dvd protion to control the dvd side. More than likeley there will be a lack of functionality since combination units have buttons that would not be needed on individual devices.

I have found that the Logitech Harmany universal remotes work very well with anything but they tend to cost quite a bit more. You might be able to find a basic model on ebay or amazon for around $50.

You need the Harmony software on your computer that is available at www.logitech.com. You will then have to connect your remote to the computer to change your configuration using said software. You may need to start from scratch if you don't know the username and password for your Harmony account. The software will step you through setting up your remote it's fairly simple.

This unit has seperate power supplies for the DVD and VCR side and the DVD side supply seems prone to failure. I have not isolated the cause, but can tell you this will require a component level repair. Unless you are a tech you may as well buy a new unit.