ZR960 Tape compartment comes up but won't pop open.

dead battery --debris --incorrect tape --improper loading

Do you have the leads plugged in correctly ?

Attach the charged battery first then push the eject button

fuse needs to be replaced. probably in the engine compartment or under dash.

Tape mechanism problems can be quite complicated. This will require disassembling the camera to repair and can usually be done fairly inexpensively. However, it's not a user serviceable problem and will need to be repaired by a qualified service technician.

My name is Rick and I'm a professional repair technician with over 20 years in the business and have repaired many of these. I'm semi retired and work from home with little overhead so I can keep repair costs low. If you decide to have the camera repaired, please click HERE for a directory listing that suits your needs.

If this response has been of any help to you, please be sure and give a positive vote for me on FixYa.com.

Hi Pam,
It all depends on what has happened here. It is possible that the shift cable is disconnected at the lever on the transmission. However, these things do not usually just come off for no reason. If it is off, I would really be trying to find out why. It could be that the cable end is worn out or broken.

Anyway, if it is the cable that has come loose, you can get to it in the engine compartment on the driver's side. You will probably have to remove the air filter box to get to it, but it won't be necessary to get under the car. It is kind-of under the brake booster assembly. (not real easy to get to) See Picture.

This can be caused by several problems including a defective eject switch in the cameras internal circuitry, a bad motor or a faulty rotary mode switch and can usually be repaired fairly inexpensively. However, it's not really a user serviceable problem and should be repaired qualified service technician.

My name is Rick and I'm a professional repair technician with over 20 years in the business and have repaired many of these. I'm semi retired and work from home with little overhead so I can keep repair costs low. If you decide to have the camera repaired, please click HERE for a directory listing that suits your needs.

If this response has been of any help to you, please be sure and give a positive vote for me on FixYa.com .

Try these steps:

1. Open the tape cover fully until it clicks open.
2. Turn the camcorder on to "VCR Mode."
3. With the cover still open and the camera in "VCR mode," take out the battery.
4. Put the battery back in--out should pop your tape.

Keep us updated.

I had a similar issue where the tape bay would not lock in and engage the motor mechanism to load the tape. I removed the battery from the unit and let it stand for approximately a minute then reinserted the battery. The tape drawer closed first without a tape then reopened with no issue. I then inserted a new tape with no issue. I guess it needed a hard reboot.

Smack the camera smartly on the tape side. Bet it works.