Error code E03,camcorder shuts down,won't eject tape.How do I fix it.

Get it fixed

HI, ERROR CODE E03 MEANS THE THE TAPE IN YOUR CAMCORDER IS TOO SLACK, ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS EJECT THE TAPE & TIGHTEN IT USING YOUE THUMB LIKE I DID, ONCE I PUT THE TAPE BACK IN THE ERROR HAD GONE ( FOR EVER I HOPE!)

Step 1 Look at the camcorder's display to identify if it is in Safeguard Mode. If its display indicates an error number of E01 to E06, your camcorder is in Safeguard Mode.
Step 2 Disconnect your camcorder from its power source and remove its battery by sliding the latch forward and sliding the battery down while pulling it away from the camera's body. Wait at least two minutes before continuing.
Step 3 Remove the camera's cassette by pressing the "Eject" button, waiting for the cassette door to open, and lifting it out of the tape bay. This step is only necessary if the camera indicates the E03 or E04 error code or it tells you to eject and reinsert the tape.
Step 4 Replace the camera's battery, power connection and cassette, and turn the camera on.

Because of the black rubber part you have that problem so now you need to find one and insert on the bottom part of you tape deck for your camera to work.

E03 Take-up error
Most common in the Mini-DV models. This problem can be defective reel tables, or it can also be a defective rotary encoder. You can expect to pay intermediate to major labor for this type of repair. Parts are nominal.

The indication E-03 or E-04 is an Emergency Error Code. In the event of a malfunction the unit will shut down and display a code. This is to inform an independent JVC authorized service center which area of the camcorder to examine in order to ascertain the nature of the problem.

The E-03 or E-04 code relates to one of the tape spindles not turning. This could be the result of too much slack on the video tape. If E-03 or E-04 is displayed it may be possible to correct the problem by removing the tape slack. In order to do this follow these steps:

1) Remove power source for 1 minute.
2) Reattach power source.
3) Press "EJECT" (DO NOT PRESS POWER)
4) Repeat above steps until tape ejects.
5) Tighten and insert a new tape."


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1. The idler gear does not engage with the reel disk well.
2. Though the idler gear and reel disk are engaged with
each other, the tape is not wound because of overload
to the mechanism.
3. No FG pulse is output from the reel sensor.
4. No power is supplied to the reel sensor.
5. Tape transport operation takes place with a cassette
having no tape inside.
6. The tape slackens and no pulse is produced until the
slack is taken up and the tape comes into the normal

I GOT

Just had this problem myself... called Sony. Here is what I did to fix this:

1. Turn off power
2. Open the LCD Display
3. Press "Reset" with paperclip/pen
4. Unplug ANY wires connected to the camcorder
5. Eject battery
6. Plug in DC charger
7. Power on
8. Attempt to eject tape
9. At this point, the metal tape holder comes out but refuses to open... slightly "close" the portion of the camcorder that has the button to eject the tape, and then open it fully again (you'll hear a click, this signals the device that the 'hatch' is open and to eject).
10. The metal door *should* pop out and allow you to withdraw the tape.

I've tried 4 different cassettes and about 2 seconds after hitting play, I get the error every time... my solution: Not going to try to play my tapes on the camcorder anymore... will find another player to play Hi8 MP cassettes. Unknown if able to record to tape as of yet.

Here's what i found. I was able to clear the message by opening and closing and ejecting the cassette. I also had to play with the battery at the same time. Keeping the cassette door open and then pulling out the battery. After is did this a couple of times i got the message to clear. I too haven't used my camcorder for some time and now that the error message has cleared the camcorder tells me that i need to clean the heads. Hope this helps. Below is the message i found that pointed me toward ejecting the cassette. Good Luck, i'm off to buy a tape head cleaning cassette. An error indication (E03 or E04) appears. - (E03 or E04 UNIT IN SAFEGUARD MODE REMOVE AND REATTACH BATTERY) This massage a malfunction of some kind has occurred. In this case the camcorder's functions become unusable. - Eject the cassette once and re-insert it, then check if the indication clears. When it does, you can resume using the camcorder. If the indication remains, consult your nearest JVC dealer or service center

HI, ERROR CODE E03 MEANS THE THE TAPE IN YOUR CAMCORDER IS TOO SLACK, ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS EJECT THE TAPE & TIGHTEN IT USING YOUE THUMB LIKE I DID, ONCE I PUT THE TAPE BACK IN THE ERROR HAD GONE ( FOR EVER I HOPE!) GIVE IT A GO ANYWAY, HAYLEY X