When it rains, it pours......RCA VDT 350

[TinCanAlley]

I hope this is the right place for this. I don't see a forum for VCRs....

Okay, my RCA VDT350 has been working pretty nicely for quite some time now. The only issues I've had were dirty switches and the need for a little lube here and there. Today, however, she decided it was time to stop playing. After fixing my TV I decided to test it out with the VCR. Upon pressing play, the little guides retracted and pulled the tape around the head as usual. I then stopped playback to rewind, but when I pressed play again, nothing. The button goes down, I can hear a motor struggling and then the button pops back up after a few seconds. The retracting arms don't even twitch. Rewind and fast forward work. I have the servicing data book from Sams, but it doesn't go into troubleshooting. All the belts are in place and good condition.

So, any ideas where to start looking? I really like this unit and want to keep it, but here in L.A. there aren't many places left that know how to fix them and I'm sure that any places that still can will charge quite a bit.

I'm more than willing to take pics of the unit and its insides if needed.

Thanks in advance!