Tape door stuck! Any ideas?
 

My A1u's tape door won't retract into the camera... I can insert a tape and close the door but then it does not retract into the body of the cam. I've tried it with different batteries and with AC power. Any ideas on how to fix it? Thanks!

I've had this problem a few times with my FX1, and the tape transport sections should be the same. What I do is press very firmly on the center top of the inner door, not where they say press but right beside it. Sometimes that works. I do it a few times to loosen everything up and the problem goes away.

They specifically warn you not to try to press the whole tray/carriage into the machine, so make sure you don't do that.

Adam,

Thank you for your response. I've pressed and wiggled the door every which way and it just does not seem to respond... I guess I have to send it to Sony. Thanks

Don't try to intimidate a malfunctioning tape transport or load system into working again. There will be a good reason why it is not working. Dried out lube, dust, grit, blade of grass even. Maybe tape door closed on the load-in sequence before it had completed.

If you manage to get it working randomly, it is an indication it is repairable. Perservere with it and you may burn out a motor and its power supply path. Let the man who should know all get inside and repair it and service and clean the tape path while he is at it.

Thanks for the reply Bob, I sent the cam to "the man who should know all" for some TLC. Hope to have it back soon! Thanks.