Panasonic VCR NV-FJ730 eats tape - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: abhi1981
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2022, 07:03:40 pm
content: Hello everybody,Just got a cheap Panasonic VCR NV-FJ730 ""Hi Fi stereo"". It was powering up, but the would not accept the cassette.The mode switch was broken. I used baking soda and super glue to fill up the broken area, and then fixed an earbud stem as the spindle.Now, the VCR is working normally, there is picture and sound from both channels, but after playing for about 20-30 sec, the take up spool stops and the reel starts bunching up near the capstan. I tried another cassette, but the same thing happened.Rewind and fast-forward works really fast, but sometimes that also struggles.Please help.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2022, 12:06:53 am
content: Service manual:https://www.download-service-manuals.com/download.php?filename=Panasonic--Z-Mechanism--service--ID2172.pdfMore info:https://www.reptips.dk/Reptips/PAN-Z-MECH.pdfCheck the belt and idler mechanism.

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2022, 03:20:37 am
content: Those are so old the belts will be stretched and brittle. Replace all the belts first.

author: abhi1981
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2022, 05:29:20 am
content: Quote from: amyk on December 17, 2022, 12:06:53 amThanks for providing the link. Although it is not Z mechanism, but still the manual contains lots of info.Can you please identify the mechanism??

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2022, 05:51:06 am
content: You may need a new pinch roller also with the belts.

author: abhi1981
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2022, 07:03:33 am
content: I changed the belt, but it did not help. The original belt is fine too and has good tension. May have been changed in the recent past. New pinch roller will be next to impossible to find in IndiaI'll check the clutch and idlers .The "technician"who had tried to change the mode switch ( shoddy soldering and broken traces), had also changed the onboard tactile switches. I wonder if they are causing some sort of problem.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2022, 11:19:48 am
content: You're right, that does not look like a Z at all. The strange thing is, the model-specific manual athttps://elektrotanya.com/panasonic_nv-fj730_fj732.pdf/download.htmlsays it's a Z mechanism.But after a bit more searching, I found that what you may have is an R4 mechanism:https://www.eserviceinfo.com/downloadsm/100346/panasonic_r4-euro%20mechanism%20198.htmlhttps://www.eserviceinfo.com/downloadsm/103526/panasonic_panasonic%20r4%20vcr-mechanika.htmlAre the Z and R4 somehow drop-in replacements, and someone replaced the mechanism in the past...?In any case, it's a new enough generation that I don't think belts are going to be a problem. There's usually a felt clutch that applies tension to the take-up reel - if the reel stops, check that it's not slipping.Another thing to note is the automatic head wiper arm is still present, it's usually recommended to remove them and manually clean the heads when necessary, since they can damage the heads:https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=122684

author: abhi1981
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2022, 03:35:39 pm
content: Wow!!! That's exactly what I needed. Thank you very much amyk for your help.Totally agree with you, the first thing I did was remove the automatic wiper. The wiper sponge becomes hard over time and will scratch the head.

author: abhi1981
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2022, 08:10:07 pm
content: FINALLY!! PROBLEM SOLVEDMy faultI forgot to put the spring inside the clutchIt's working perfectly now.Many thanks once again to everybody for their kindness and patience.

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2022, 10:53:35 pm
content: Hmm... Make sure you don't have any spare parts left behind on the bench!

author: abhi1981
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2022, 05:34:09 am
content: Quote from: andy3055 on December 17, 2022, 10:53:35 pm

author: abhi1981
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2022, 05:49:06 am
content: The volume level has suddenly dropped significantly. I tried the same cassette on a different VCR and the loudness was much higher.I cleaned all the heads and ribbon cables, but it didn't help.Is the audio head damaged??

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2022, 04:39:16 pm
content: Check the tape position and tension on the audio head. It may be not touching the head surface enough. Has the head moved by any chance?

author: abhi1981
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2022, 06:00:38 pm
content: I don't think the head has moved. The tape position is okay, but don't know about tension. I believe a special meter is required to check tension. Visually it seems okay.

author: wasedadoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2022, 08:37:46 pm
content: Does that model have Hi-Fi stereo sound? If yes, is the low volume on both the linear track and the Hi-Fi track or only one of those?

author: abhi1981
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2022, 03:30:52 am
content: Yes, it has Hi-Fi stereo sound. The volume is only on the linear track because if I pull out the linear head ribbon, the sound stops. Both channels are working.