Occasionally eats the tape, looks like culpret is the "rubber band" it looks distorted & maybe too loose. I need a replacement.

They are called belts and they can be obtained as a kit from Marrs Communications. They are in Texas.

Hi, I remember this problem. Your " take up spindle " isn't turning. This will be the one that also fast forwards the tape, so if the fast forward doesn't work you probably have a bad rubber band that drives it, or motor for a more sophisticated model. Also this symptom could be cause by debris that has built up on the " capstan " the little silver spike that will be close to the tape heads ( also on occasion has caused tapes to be eaten-so make sure it is clean, rubbing alcohol for this-same thing for the capstan.) I hope this was useful, write back to let me know-even if it wasn't so I may try again, thanks for asking FixYa-good luck, Prodzilla

There is an intermediate rubber roller that keeps the unit from "eating" tapes. When this roller gets dirty or shiny then it slips and the unit will eat tapes. It needs to be cleaned with a q-tip and some alcohol. It runs between the flywheel shaft and the take-up spindle. You should be able to clean it if you take off the bottom cover.

well it may not actully grab the tape. but maybe the spring is broekn, take of f top cover of vcr and watch tape as it plays. is the right hand wheel turning. if not thats the probem. the wheel must turn in order for the player to run smoothly, and eliminate tape slack. when theres no tape in it, look between the 2 spindles. is it a gear or an idler wheel with rubber abnd. the rubnber bands are a pain as friction from that turns the right wheel. check the band for cracks or glazing, replace if necessary. u may also need to inspect/ replace the rubber band on underside. there should not be to much play on the underside band either. tip- if no replacement parts are available at a local shop, no problem. use an ordinary rubber band of same similar size to original. it should do.

Check for tire rubbing on anything in the fender well. Check to see if maybe a loose hubcap. If not one or both of your CV axles is (are) bad. If the CV axles boots are ripped, this is the likely culpret to your noise and you can pick them up at auto parts store.

that means that the uptake wheel is not turning. typically this is caused by a rubber band that is insde the transport mechanism that connects the motor to the wheel.

if you are comfortable taking the device apart, you will need to find the right band and just pop it on.

"E3" says "Incoming message tape is missing, stuck, or broken. Replace the tape" I had the same message. My drive belt broke. I put a rubber band in it's place and all works OK now. I need to order a new belt, but haven't yet.

ok , lets start with MOISTURE where VCR located ,what happen is that moisture can cause the tape to catch on the polished surface of the drum head , some instances will play,but the tape stops stretching it and damage occurs. SECOND check for a defective idler tire that prevent the take up reel from spinning. also check for any drive belts ( look like black rubber bands ) that might be stretched with time ,replace with new ones .hope this info helps

i used to service quite a few older camcorders, many of them had some sort of rubber band pulley mechanism and the band itself would go limp (corroded) and not providing enough torsion to drive the mechanics of the camcorder
(imagine a slipping fan belt).
you'll have a real hard time getting an exact replacement, and at great expense.... i've had success splicing a normal rubber band, simply razor cut the ends to meet and use the tiniest dot of superglue to make a band of your length... an untreated rubber band would maybe last about a year unless you wipe it with a coating of silicone which extends it's useful life by 10 times (i have a diy treated rubber band in an older cassette deck still running strong after 12 years)...

good luck with the fix.

look for a tiny pinhole and insert a pin while powered up to reset the device. if no-go, then the take-up reel needs attention...needs possibly a new or well-cleaned-with-alcohol-swab rubber belt