Sony PC110 C:31:22 C:31:23 C:31:11 C:31:40 C:31:42 errors repair

WARNING - If you carry out this repair, you are doing so entirely at your own risk. Although it worked OK with my camera, remember that things can get BETTER as much as WORSE. Just be aware. Someone from Canada tried it and it did not work for him (no more info). If the camera is under warranty, it will become void if you mess about with it; so please do not attempt this if you don't feel confident to do so.
My Sony PC110 camcorder has been showing the error C:31:22 and C:31:23 on and off intermittently for the past 6 months. Sometimes after inserting another tape it will work for a while, but the tape was not at fault.
I read the comments on this forum http://www.camerahacker.com/Forums/DisplayComments.php?file=Video%20Camera/Sony/Error_Code_C.31.xx.html and smacked the camcorder 2 to 3 times as Debbie suggested. No luck. If anything, things got worse, or did they? After I removed the tape I noticed the small black tape roller (see cylinder in black rubber) had fallen off its pin and was loose inside the camera. Refer to Ahmed Jasim's comment with pictures at the above link on 9 Jan 2007. I also suggest looking inside the camera's mechanisms to see if the plastic locking piece is lodged somewhere inside it. In this case you can assemble it back on the roller and all should work.
I could not find my locking piece, so I carried on as follows:
I took the loose roller out and inserted the tape again. The error changed to C:31:11 and some times to C:31:42. I opened the tape's compartment door but the tape did not eject (I assume because roller was missing?). As explained here http://www.camerahacker.com/Forums/DisplayComments.php?file=Video%20Camera/Sony/DCR-TRV350_tape_wont_eject_C.32.11 I removed the battery, connected to mains (no waiting in between) and hey presto! Tape ejected. After that, I had the camera working in less than 1 minute.
As explained in the links above and shown in my video, I cut a 3mm long piece from an empty ball point pen tube (or biro) and inserted it in the black roller. This will act as the locking mechanism to keep the tape roller in place. The tube had approx 2mm outer and 1mm inner diameters. It is important that the inner diameter fits nice and firmly onto the tape roller pin. If it is too hard to push in, look for another piece that fits better. I then placed the assembly on the empty roller pin and pressed it down gently but firmly to make it fit snugly. The tube sticks up by 1mm, but this does not seem to effect the operation. Since then all is working perfect every time.
It is a shame that several Sony camcorder models have shown this problem! The above forums have been discussing this issue for the past 4 years! You would think Sony should have improved the roller tape locking mechanism in all these years.
Incidentally, I put a very small drop of superglue at the lower end of the 3mm biro locking piece to ensure it does not come off again and checked that the tape roller was spinning freely (this is important). Do not do this if you think it will not help your situation. Experiment with a different inner diameter biro tube instead.
This link has also some comments http://www.camerahacker.com/Forums/DisplayComments.php?file=Video%20Camera/Sony/fixing_the_tape_mechanism
Thanks to all persons on the camerahacker forum, from Debbies irrational Smack-a-cam Club to Ahmed Jasims rational pictures and drawing. I just hope Sony sometimes brings up their quality standards to match their high prices!

I had error reappear after fixing my PC110 and working for a few hours. I think some of the messages are related to roller alignment. In theory it must be perpendicular to the tapes movement else tape will wobble. When you press bit of biro down on roller pin, DO NOT press hard. The roller's pin arm can bend and this affects alignment. I pushed my roller pins arm up a bit and this got rid of error. Best to hold the roller pins arm firm while you press the bit of biro down on pin? No space for this unless PC110 dismantled. This is highly technical and I do not recommend.

May I also add this comment from Peter Brereton (added below 1 year ago):
These camcorders use self aligning pinch rollers, they have one centre bearing and the roller doesn't just need to rotate freely it also needs a degree of lateral movement for the self aligning function to work. If you use the wrong diameter collar there is a high risk of damage to the tape especially when switching tape direction during cue and revue so take care!!!

Видео Sony PC110 C:31:22 C:31:23 C:31:11 C:31:40 C:31:42 errors repair канала Glass0NI0N