Any way to fix this TV?

What is the best way to fix the VCR on a TV/VCR combo set?

• I have an Emerson TV/VCR combo for 6 years and lately, the VCR part does not work at all (the TV part is fine, by the way). Here is the problem with it, everytime when I put in a tape in, it eats the tape. I been told that the VCR needs cleaning, so I bought a VHS cleaner for the VCR, and still, it still ate the cleaner tape. Is there a way to get it fixed?

• Answer:

  It should be fixable IF parts are available.... Your take-up idler is not reeling in the tape during play.... If you go into the VCR menu and turn off "AutoPlay" it will stop loading the tape and playing it and eating it.... Then you can insert a tape, and hit rewind...if you hear the tape rewind, then try Fast Forward...if it works on both then the reels aren't stuck and the brakes are released...and your idler belt is ok....(you won't need that part) Then if you play it and it eats it....the idler's clutch is bad....(then the idler must be replaced)