Yeah badboy, that is the classic symptom of the slipping gear. The gear does not affect playback in any way- only FF and REW. If no tape is in it, the reels seem to run fine- but put any load on them or if the tape gets too heavy on one side the gear slips then stops. Like I said, it is a major problem and it affects a lot of Sharps. My YT vid will be up & running tomorrow very early am.