thanks for the additional replies! come to think of it the tracking control didn't have an effect on it once it started doing this and this unit is loaded with small electrolytics mostly nichicons but there are lots of crummy sanyo branded ones as well and i did replace a leaky matsushita cap that i believe helped to get the display/clock back up and running in the base unit. im glad to hear that there are more things to check before blaming the heads since i cant find one anywhere, at least with that rca part number, i don't have a clue how i would cross reference a third party one
. ive been noticing that lots of caps have been testing test good on my esr meter that really are bad like the leaky one replaced earlier so i may just start shotgunning caps (someday i will buy a capacitance meter and do things the smart way
). since i do need a face plate regardless now i did actually find a parts unit on ebay and am waiting to hear back from the seller to confirm the suspiciously low $17 shipping for such a heavy unit. i guess if i do end up getting it ill have a spare head drum for mine although im really thinking now that mine probably has low hours on it since it looks immaculate but has so many problems that appear to be from not being used much. maybe ill run some more movies through the thing and see if the thing wakes up a little more
.