That it leaves the tape out may mean the takeup reels are not working. Often there are systems to check if the capstan and takeup reels are moving...If they are not moving in play mode the machine will stop to avoid either unspooling a bunch of tape (if only the capstan is working), snapping the tape (if end of tape sensor died), or grinding a line out of the tape with the video head (if take-up reels and capstan dead).
Check that the unit both fast forwards and rewinds (if not fix that first), if so check that your capstan advances the tape (if not fix it), if that is good check the end of tape sensor (fix if bad), if that is good consult someone that knows more about VCRs than me.
