Here's a video illustrating my question: https://youtu.be/Qh5pqC4FG8k
I just bought a Zenith stereophonic turntable console from an estate sale. It work and sounded great--aside from a slight scraping noise that the turntable was making. When I clicked the switch over to "REJ" (reject), the turntable locked and although I hear a motor running the turntable is locked in place and won't turn. Any assistance would be great. I'm curious as to whether I'm not operating correctly, or whether something is broken.
Thanks!
Here is the link for where I've gotten so far after removing the platter: https://youtu.be/cltisJQzwb0
I removed the platter and examined the underneath. From the little I know of terminology the idler wheel does not seem to be making very good contact against the pulley motor. What I cannot determine is whether it is because the idler wheel is too hard, or whether there is some type of spring or mechanism that is preventing good contact--or maybe the idler wheel is fine, but something else putting up resistance somewhere...
Thanks,
Ben
What I cannot determine is whether it is because the idler wheel is too hard,
That's a common problem but that wouldn't lock-up the platter. You would be able to manually turn it and (if that were the only problem) it would finish the cycle as you rotated it by hand.
Here is the link for where I've gotten so far after removing the platter: https://youtu.be/cltisJQzwb0
I removed the platter and examined the underneath. From the little I know of terminology the idler wheel does not seem to be making very good contact against the pulley motor. What I cannot determine is whether it is because the idler wheel is too hard, or whether there is some type of spring or mechanism that is preventing good contact--or maybe the idler wheel is fine, but something else putting up resistance somewhere...
Thanks,
Ben
I used to work at a stereo shop where I was the turntable guy because I was part time and none of the full timers wanted to work on turntables. Your problem is almost certainly dried up lubricants on the main cam (about 5 " diameter on the bottom surface of the turntable deck plate). It likely will be fine after a "disassemble, clean and lube". In the mean time DO NOT RUN IT AND DO NOT FORCE IT ! DVDdoug is correct about the idler not being the issue from hardness but the idler may need to be replaced regardless. If you attempt to 'Do It Yourself', see if you can find a service manual on the table. Take LOTS of pictures before you take it apart. There is no such thing as too many pix. EVERYTHING that moves needs cleaning and relubrication. At that age, dribbling oil is not good enough. Parts must be opened and cleaned and THEN new oil. I highly recommend Nye Oil II as you oil which will run you about $13 for a 2 ounce bottle. It's synthetic and will not dry out and gum up. You will not have to do it again for MANY years. Be careful when opening up the motor as putting the coil assembly upside down will run backwards.
Back when I did this regularly I could knock one out in 90 minutes but be prepared to spend 8-16 hours.
Good Luck
Thanks for the great advice! appreciate it! Here's the latest video, FYI:
https://youtu.be/498aJcV-uxw
Dis-assembly/Re-Lube thread
http://www.antiqueradios.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=198735
Thanks all for the advice! I think I'm going to send it out for an overhaul so I can get it done correctly! I'll keep everyone posted!
-Ben
https://youtu.be/fXm7-_MuCNQ
Thanks to Voice of Music ( www.thevoiceofmusic.com ) for putting me in touch with David Z. I sent the turntable to David and he rebuilt and replaced the following parts:
Rebuild complete Zenith VM A 1293 95.00 J70
Replace idler 45000 35.00
Rebuild motor Alliance 75076 15.00
Replace 3 motor mounts 4.75
Replace A/C switch 45470 16.00
Replace "o" ring to platter 2.00
Replace trim ring to platter 43308-C 8.00
Replace Zenith stylus LP/78 12.50
45 adapter is good sent
Cartridge zenith "bobber type" good at this time
Repair reject jammed
Re set- set downs 7 10 12" good
Arm weight 2 grams
Clean and polish complete
Shipping UPS w/ 200.00 insurance 27.00
Total 215.25
Deposit check -60.00
Balance due 155.25
I think this is more than a fair price and he did an excellent job! It sounds great. I would recommend going in this direction if you are really looking for a long term solution to your turntable issues. Turn around time on this was only a couple weeks. Good luck to all with similar issues.
Here's the service manual..
Zenith Service Manual Record Changers RC9 Models 169 -417, -420, -421, -432, -434, -435
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ouxri135ktun2zt/Zenith%20Service%20Manual%20Record%20Changers%20RC9%20Models%20169%20-417%2C%20-420%2C%20-421%2C%20-432%2C%20-434%2C%20-435.zip?dl=0
Thanks!
You're welcome.