Hitachi VT-11E VCR not working
 

I recently bought a 1982 Hitachi VT-11E top-loader VCR, and it has some problems. When I insert a VHS and press play, rewind or fast forward I only hear the motor spinning. The tape isn't taken out of the cassette and wrapped around the video head, nothing happens. I also found a broken belt when looking in the VHS slot. It should have connected a small wheel to the supply pully. I used a rubber band of the same size as the old belt as a temporary repair, but nothing still happens. I haven't opened it though, I just put my fingers in the slot and very, very carefully did it. What can be the problem?

Re: Hitachi VT-11E VCR not working
 

I would either clean or replace the idler.It’s in the centre of the deck at the front.

Dave

Re: Hitachi VT-11E VCR not working
 

Thank you, I'll try cleaning it and see if it works.

Re: Hitachi VT-11E VCR not working
 

Hi

Replace the rubber belt in loading motor.

Re: Hitachi VT-11E VCR not working
 

Good morning.

I already cleaned the idler but it doesn't work. I'll try replacing it and also replacing the belt in the loading motor, and see if that works.

Re: Hitachi VT-11E VCR not working
 

You do need the correct loading belts which are a tight fit on the pulleys. The idler doesn't come into play till the capstan motor turns and the loading is completed.

Re: Hitachi VT-11E VCR not working
 

And didn't the VT11 use two belts to perform lacing? Dried grease will be a problem now as well. Why they used two always puzzled me.

Re: Hitachi VT-11E VCR not working
 

That's right - and they had different part numbers, though they looked identical.

Re: Hitachi VT-11E VCR not working
 

Yes Glynn, you must have been in the trade around the same time as me. That model, apart from the loading belt was reliable. Gentle on heads as well, oh, apart from the idler.

Re: Hitachi VT-11E VCR not working
 

Failure of the reel idler was a common fault on this range of VCRs. In your case, I would respectfully suggest that you replace this and also the loading belt. Cleaning the idler was never very successful.

Re: Hitachi VT-11E VCR not working
 

Who will confess to turning the idler round? I did, a lot. Emery cloth never seemed to be enough, but spin it round. You were away.

Re: Hitachi VT-11E VCR not working
 

Been there done that on a friday night call on the way home

Re: Hitachi VT-11E VCR not working
 

Oh the memories, idler tyres turned over, indifferent loading belts and groaning capstan motors.

I also remember the look on a very-well spoken chaps face, who insisted his old VCR parts were returned to him. Not a problem, the repair turnaround was very quick too since we had a service kit in stock for his machine. The service kit was genuine Hitachi, the customers VCR? was a B&O!

We casually pointed out the 'Made in Japan' and Hitachi logo on his Danish B&O VCR's, rear label.

I also remember ordering a LOPT for one of 'their' tellies, we were stunned as an empty 40-foot B&O truck rolled up to the workshop door, parcel in the back. We could only surmise he'd completed his bulk deliveries beforehand, though the comic value amused us.

Mark

Re: Hitachi VT-11E VCR not working
 

Hi. Check the two loading belts at the bottom side of the mechanism.

Fivos

Re: Hitachi VT-11E VCR not working
 

I checked the loading belts and found out one is broken. Thank you all for helping me!