BEEPING SOUND AND CODE C:31:23

I have a Sony Handycam VideoHi8 XR w/72X digital zoom and I had not used the camera for four years-we moved & I lost it...long story short...I turned it on & began reacquainting myself with it & all of the sudden it flashed the dreaded C:31:23 code. I freaked when I read the $90 fix & wasn't certain about the other fix. I opened the tape deck ejected the tape, put it back in & turned off the camera & back on. Sure enough the same error came up again. So this time I repeated everything the same, but then ejected the battery & put it back in & then went back & recorded my cat. I reversed it & viewed it & it worked! Yay! I don't know if this will work for you, but I hope it does so you won't have to trash your camera.

I followed these same steps and it seems to have worked. I also changed the tape out. The tape that was in when problem started seems to exacerbate the problem. So check you cam with different tapes. LEE

complex solution ,only trained technician can solve
take up reel is part of an assembly unit ,very hard for
disassembly ,you have to change whole assembly
cost 90 dollars sony plus part store
You need the schematic and the right tools
Is better to buy other camcorder.

This problem calls reel sensor defect. If you understand its Tape Mechanism, open it and check Take-up Reel section.