Lanier VW110 won't play

likely something has wrapped around the drive capstan, that would make tapes play faster. Forward and reverse are likely belt issues.

Look to see if the capstan motor belt fell off the pulleys

You need a new capstan belt or the capstan shaft is glazed as well as you have a hard shiny Pinch Roller. Each of these items need to have friction to work.

You do not mention the brand or model number which to answer the question effectively is needed- different machines are designed in different ways. The function of the fast wind and the play mode only differs in that in play a capstan is involved that regulates the speed and the reel motors just do the take-up of taper and a little back tension for the supply reel. You may have either a sticky Pinch Roller linkage or a non- rotating capstan shaft that might point to a loose or broken capstan drive belt. There are also the condition of the Pinch Roller surface and the surface of the Capstan shaft that can be glazed or rubber hard and non-compliant. The rubber Pinch Roller can be re-rubbered, the capstan shaft can be reconditioned and the Capstan Belt can be replaced. Capstan bearings and motor bearings need oil once a year as well. I hope this helped to some extent- I have been working on decks now for better than 40 years.

The unit need some work by a technician. The bad thing about the drawer type decks is that it makes it hard or impossible to clean the tape path. I have not seen one of these but I could probably fix it.
Some of your description sound like a loose capstan belt and then other times the Pinch roller is not engaging- they may be related if the mechanism is tied to the capstan motor system.

The Capstan motor is just for the play speed regulation so it has nothing to do with the reel motors. You can have an open safety microswitch or maybe a bad relay. It is really hard to say without looking at the unit but I am sure it is repairable. Is the right dummy plug put in the back? This can stop all transport functions if it is out.

This unit most likely has a broken rewind/fast forward rubber belt. This is a very common problem and is easily fixed if you can acquire a new belt. Any place that services Lanier equipment should be able to easily fix this problem.

Everyone buys dual cassette decks and wonder why they don't last- it needs to see a Technician and if not that it will be landfill.

I don't have any quick answers as this is a newer deck than when I worked for the company- I would have to see the deck to determine the fault. Do you have the continuous reverse switch on -maybe that is it.

clean the heads. your betamax is eating your tape.