Orion VCR VLX11 keeps on spitting out tapes

[Donald]

Hi,
my Orion VLX11 VCR doesn't like my tapes. It spits it out straight away. I
opened it to see whether there is any mechanical problem but it looks fine.
The IR diode seems to work too, when I block the beam the mechanism starts
"clicking" so it can "see" that the beam is interrupted. I can trick the VCR
by putting in the tape and pulling the plug just before it has time to spit
the tape out again. I then mechanically (with my fingers) spin the motor
that pulls tape with the 2 handles towards the head. When I turn on the
power again the tape stays and I can push "play" and "fast play". When I
stop and try to wind the tape the 2 handles (sorry I don't know the names of
those thingies) don't move back and consequently the VCR doesn't for/back
wind. I can then push "eject" and I get my tape back but the next time I put
it in it spits it out again.
My 3 year old son suggested to glue the tape down with super glue but I
think there must be a different way to fix this. Any help??
Cheers Horst

 

[Mistress]

Hi,
my Orion VLX11 VCR doesn't like my tapes. It spits it out straight away.

I would wager there is some sort of device under the take-up spindle to
confirm motion. Either a hall effect transistor of some optical device.
Guessing even more -- perhaps the unit checks for a brief TU spindle
movement at tape load complete.

An Orion. Repair cost may exceed replacement value.