Rock-Ola 452 Console Not Cancelling Any Played Records

[recordaddict]

Hi,

    Earlier this year I purchased a 452 Rock-Ola console (160 selection). The first thing I did was give it a good cleaning and regreasing of all the easily accessible parts (gripper motor, turntable, wiper arm contacts, etc). The only big trouble I had was with the mechanism stuttering and tripping the breaker. I found out that it was just that the motor needed a good relubrication. I took that apart, regreased, and it hasn't tripped since. Unfortunately in the process of reinstalling the mechanism motor I think I might have accidentally knocked something loose or something blew with the deactivating the write out toggle switches. None of my records will cancel after they have been played; the arm spins around until it reaches the same record(s) and will play again in succession. Since that mechanism motor also drives the write out, I'm assuming it is just not activating the solenoids (neither the A or B side cancel) that hammer down the toggle switch after the record is played.

One thing to mention, while the mechanism motor was out I spun the carousel a couple rotations to see how well it was spinning with the new grease I put in there. I though I possibly put the carousel in a wrong home position with that rotating cog that's inside the mechanism gear that's used to decipher the A or B side (eg. I put it in the B side home position instead of the A side; is that even a thing to mess up)? I wasn't sure so I took the motor out and spun it one more revolution until I heard that limit switch that's activated by the arm below the "SCAN, OFF, OPER toggle click; It didn't help. Maybe I did it too much?

    Also, I don't know if its related or the cause of this issue somewhere along this line I noticed when I added a quarter (or credits via the inside switch) the "2nd digit" selection light would light up first (1st digit never lit) but I could make a selection play just fine (just didn't cancel like above). I fixed the light issue by replacing the bottom 1 amp fuse in the small front control box.

    I found a video on YouTube before I had this issue (can't find it for the life of me now) where I believe they had a similar problem (but the write out kept spinning/searching for a half hour). I think a few answers were located in the comments too. But If you'd like to see the exact problem I'm encountering, I can take a video and upload it. I do have the owners manual and troubleshooting guide and no real luck there. I was hoping maybe one of you guys can help; would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Ron Rich]

Well,
Where to start---- ??
Please take a few minutes to read our "posting rules" in the User Introductions section, and the "Hi Newbies" posts in the FAQ's section. Then look at the lube chart, and all of the other, "red pinned stickies", posted here, above, in this section.
I HOPE you did not "Grease" the wiper contacts !
At the point you have treated the read-out wipers as described, and it still fails to hammer the pins, you will need to follow the schematic to the source of power--I assume it's the "locking relays"--but I'm only "ASSUMING", 'cause I really don't know--maybe someone else will ? Ron Rich

[recordaddict]

Aug 28, 2019 12:33:26 GMT Ron Rich said:

I HOPE you did not "Grease" the wiper contacts !
At the point you have treated the read-out wipers as described, and it still fails to hammer the pins, you will need to follow the schematic to the source of power--I assume it's the "locking relays"--but I'm only "ASSUMING", 'cause I really don't know--maybe someone else will ? Ron Rich

Thanks for responding. Yes I did read the FAQs and lube chart threads. No, I definitely wouldn't even think to grease the contact wipers; I think that'd be common sense not to... I just meant cleaned and/or regreased when it came to the respective part.

Locking relays... so you don't think it has anything to do with the 2 solenoids on the write out? I'll check the locking relays to see if they're working though.

Thanks!

[Ron Rich]

Hi Jim,
You can check the coils on the READ-OUT carriage with an ohm meter-- If bad they usually "short" and blow the mech fuse/CB, but they could be open ? -Measure them against the ones on the WRITE-IN carriage. Ron Rich

[recordaddict]

Ron,

I was able to find the video in which I am having the exact same issue. I want to note that on mine the write out solenoids are not triggering NEITHER the A and B side to cancel. I do hear a "click" though as the arm passes over it again, but unsure if it's the solenoid or the arm sweeping past the toggle switch

I read the last comment on there and it shows a few possible suggestions but all mine check out fine.

youtu.be/OOkJDUzKOeQ

Note: You can hear the same "click" mine makes at 59 seconds in the video as it passes for the other side.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Jim,
Are you aware of when the hammer should return the pin to the non selected state ? Did you remove the READ-OUT arm, and treat it as described above ? Ron Rich

[recordaddict]

Aug 30, 2019 2:48:34 GMT Ron Rich said:

Hi Jim,
Are you aware of when the hammer should return the pin to the non selected state ? Did you remove the READ-OUT arm, and treat it as described above ? Ron Rich

Ron,

I'm almost 100% certain that the hammer should return the pin as soon as the tone arm starts moving.... is that caused by the micro switch that's on the cam in back... I think that controls the counter too?

No, my next step is to remove the read-out arm. I've only cleaned them by spraying contact cleaner on them and the board.

I don't have access to a whole slew of tools where the jukebox is located (it's at a friends place) so I got to bring some different ones as I'm not risking scratching that printed circuit.

Have you ever done what it describes in the Rock-ola troubleshooting guide of putting a "thin layer of petroleum jelly" on the printed circuit; would you recommend that?

By the way I did read the sticky note the other day about the write-in/read-out arms as what you called the "2nd most common question you're asked."

I just find it strange that all this did start once I fixed the carriage motor though. I don't see any loose connections.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Jim,
From memory, I think you are correct--the counter is mechanical, I think ?
I have never used "petroleum jelly--" but I probably never read that TBL guide either --
As for what I can re-call, there should be no connections between the motor, and the coils ? You might try re-seating ALL plugs--
Ron Rich

[recordaddict]

Ron,

A few nights ago I went to go work on the jukebox to resolve this issue. I was about to take that write out arm off again but decided to just give it one more shot and see what would happen (I assumed it'd occur again). Lo and behold the thing started working! I tried it about 15 more times that night, and a few times last night and have not encountered the issue... I have no clue what was up. Maybe I accidentally left some bigger gunk on it from when I was cleaning them. I double checked the contacts and wipers last night and they were fine.

I wish I did know what was up though in case the issue arises again though, I hope it doesn't; knock on wood.

Before I was done for the night, I did make sure all the wires were seated; they were.


Thanks for your help.