RCA Selectavision model VKT385 VHS VCR issue

[B 4204 T3]

Once again, I really appreciate the suggestions. I've been very busy for the last few weeks, so I couldn't respond until right now.



I checked the back of my RCA Selectavision VCR, and one of the labels on the back reads:



FCC ID : AHA9670024
RCA CORPORATION
MADE IN JAPAN



From the identification code, this VCR certainly has Hitachi Ltd. as its OEM. I've read online, and also watched videos, that said RCA's earliest VHS VCRs had Panasonic as its OEM, along with other brands like Curtis Mathes, General Electric, J.C. Penney, Magnavox, Philco, Quasar, and Sylvania. It's interesting to me that back in 1982, when RCA sacked Panasonic as their VCR OEM, and they hired Hitachi to produce their VCRs, General Electric hired Panasonic as their VCR OEM at the same time, after they sacked Hitachi as their original VCR OEM, so it was like a "swap." I wonder what the story on their arrangements was; I would be interested in knowing it.



Getting back to my VCR, I've been using it for the last few days, and it's still working well. A few times, the tapes played in SLP for a few seconds at the very beginning of the tape, but then corrected itself & began playing at SP or LP. Last night, I played a homemade tape recorded at SLP, and it played perfectly.



Here is my question: If the VCR has an issue with the control track or the heads, then would it be an easy fix, or do I need to buy a service manual to do the job? The only service manual I can find for sale for this VCR is very expensive, so I don't know if I should buy it.



Thanks again!