Panasonic top-loader VCR Issues

[vortalexfan]

OK, so I tried out an LP recorded tape in the VCR and that also had some trouble playing in the VCR, so apparently whatever circuitry is involved with the VCR reading the speed of the tape on the control track on the tapes must control the SP and LP together and SLP is controlled separately from the SP and LP modes.
Although LP mode even though it wasn't playing at the right speed it was a much clearer picture (not as much sync issues) as the SP mode had, in SP Mode the picture had terrible sync problems (vertical and horizontal hold issues.)

Also how common was it for a VCR to have a failure of the speed sensing control system? I'm asking because this is the first VCR I've worked on that had this issue out of about 30+ VCRs I've worked on in my nearly 20 years of working on VCRs for people or for myself.