VCR/TV combo - TV shuts off 5 seconds into playing a tape

Trj22487Trj22487
in Help Wanted!
This seems to be a common issue that happens to VCR/TV combos, from what I am gathering it most likely seems that the VCR incorrectly thinks it has rewound to the start of the tape, and is automatically shutting off the TV like it should in that scenario. It will shut off whether you play, rewind, or fast forward the tape. It was still working fine a few months ago. Supposedly there is a sensor that I should be able to reach from the front and tap to correct this, but I can't figure out what it is. Anyone been able to correct this issue before?

Comments

  • TulpaTulpa
    Usually, it's a photosensor that detects the clear end leader of a tape that triggers shutdown. Maybe it's sending a false signal or out of alignment or something?
  • BouncekDeLemosBouncekDeLemos
    Bad caps? TVs would shut off for any random number of reasons when caps are worn or leaky.
  • phart010phart010
    I have this same problem. No solution though. I'm thinking to toss into the dumpster
  • Trj22487Trj22487
    Yeah it seems 99% of people I've read with this issue found no solution in the end. My TV is from 2003 and I'd been using it regularly up until about 6 months ago was the last time I had played a VHS tape in it, and it worked fine. But somewhere in that gap something has gone bad. It never dawned on me that these combo units are all cheaply made compared to if you were to buy a separate DVD player, separate VCR, and seperate TV. The DVD player in this combo actually died over 5 years ago, long before this VHS issue. Lately I've been striking out on even finding working VCRs in the wild. The last few I've brought home were all manufactured in the late 90s or early 2000s and all ended up being bad.
  • BratwurstBratwurst
    Originally posted by: Tulpa



    Usually, it's a photosensor that detects the clear end leader of a tape that triggers shutdown. Maybe it's sending a false signal or out of alignment or something?



    Consulted with daddums who repaired VCRs (among other things) in the 80s. The sensor is usually an IR transmitter and receiver pair, the receiver probably needs to be replaced.



    At the least, don't throw out the tv because the tube portion still works outside of the VCR functionality.
  • Trj22487Trj22487

    Originally posted by: Bratwurst

    At the least, don't throw out the tv because the tube portion still works outside of the VCR functionality.



    I agree, as long as the tv itself works and you can still use the ports for other devices (another VCR/DVD lol)

    I still use this tv solely for my Sega Saturn
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