Why did people need rewinders? didnt the VCR have a rewind button?

Most of these problems are caused by a faulty mode switch. If the mode switch has gone off of it's true position, then the electronics might well think it's in rewind mode even in the off position. Sometimes it's just the switch that is faulty, but sometimes damage to the mechanism has thrown off the switch.

the rewinder worked smoother, faster, and protected the heads on the inside of the vcr. many times a vcr would kink the tape and eventually ruin the movie

E2 means: Loading motor locked in the unload direction. Usually(not always) happens with a going bad VCR tape on the rewind. Tape is becoming too difficult to rewind and/or VCR is getting tired. Eject tape. Discard tape as soon as practical, new tapes are cheap. To clear: Hold power on/off button for 8 seconds.

There should be a rewind button on the front of the main unit (usually indicated by either REW or 2 arrows pointing to the left), this should be next to the fast forward (again indicated by either F-FWD or 2 arrows pointing to the right) as well as PLAY and STOP - for the VCR. The only thing you would need the remote for is to set the clock and/or perform setup for the DVD player as well as timer recording. Try a universal remote which will make fast forward, play, stop, record (to VHS) and rewind easier.

hi, you need to replaced idler wheel and all belt in the mechanism.
hope that will help
regards Alan.

E2 means: Loading motor locked in the unload direction. Usually(not always) happens with a going bad VCR tape on the rewind. Tape is becoming too difficult to rewind and/or VCR is getting tired. Eject tape. Discard tape as soon as practical, new tapes are cheap. To clear: Hold power on/off button for 8 seconds.

is it a specific one particular tape? Or is it that all VHS  tapes that you put into the VCR or Rewinder do not rewind? Do clarify

Soution #1 get nice but cheep VHS " rewind " macine.
2nd. Some machines have a special rubber wheel in the center,between the left [ take up or rewind ] & right [ play\record ] assemble. VERY diffiult to repair if u don't know what u are doing.
3rd. Find & REplace EVERY rubber band that u find in the machine.

the clutch gear needs to be replaced . you can order the part partstore.com go by brand and model easy to replace around 30.00 dls .

It could be that there is a separate motor for the rewind function, and it may be in need of replacement. Also you should check the belts for stretching/wear, as they have a direct impact on the speed. Also, most new VCRs have a function that the tape rewind slows considerably when it senses that its close to the beginning of the tape. Its very possibly that your VCR has a defect in that sensing mechanism. Good luck