Panasonic DVD-RV31K DVD Player, Black
More on the Dreaded H02 Error
The suggestion of restarting the player by gently pushing the disk clockwise worked fine.  It seems, however, that the problem is not a defective motor but a bad case design.  Any weight or pressure on top of the unit can result in contact with the top of the spindle and friction that shuts down the drive. Our problem appears to have been solved by moving the player on top of the VHS and placing a spacer inside the case to maintain adequate clearance.  Better than throwing it away but still an annoying design flaw.