Q selection problems

[mb9513]

Hi all: I am in the run in phase of a Q restoration. it has started to intermittently not making selections. I believe it is a write in problem. in selecting 5 selections in a row it will randomly skip some. but if reselected it will play the previously skipped selection. the troubleshooting guide has no specific trouble description.  the close one discusses the reverse switch. in looking at the wiring schematic I only see the read out going from the contact block through the reverse switch then to the receiver. I suspect a switch someplace is still a little dirty, and not letting the write in complete correctly.  the TSU has no stepper.   please let me know where I need to look.  it has just started the problem and I need to solve it so It can go to my client. thanks Mark

[robnyc]

If I understand the scenario, if you make several selections, a few will be skipped.

Question: Will they play later even if that have not been selected again? If so it means they were written-in but not read-out.

Causes are:
Dirty-worn contacts on the detent switch.
Worn plungers on the block that rides under the Tormat. With the mech stopped pull down a bit on the block. The plungers should have about an 1/8th-inch overtravel. Check all 4 wires as they often break. Check for dirty contacts rivets there as well.

Finally, there are several resistors in the read-out that go out of tolerance (way out) due to the voltage and pulsing. Do have a schematic?

RobNYC

[Ron Rich]

Mark,

As Rob says---from what you have written there is NO way to tell if you have a write-in, or read-out problem. To troubleshoot any Tormat equipped, Seeburg, it is easiest to divide the system using a known good "D Cell". On tube type units, remove the TMU out-put (RCA) plug from the TPA.
Touch the - terminal of the cell to any bare metal surface, and touch the tip of the cell to the + of the RCA plug. Insert the plug into the TPA {be sure the service switch is in the operate position}, and make any selection. Hold the detent lever down --lightly-- if the read0-out is functioning correctly, you will feel/hear, a pulse as it scans ALL spaces. ( Turn cell over for a solid state unit--and you must allow it to terminate on each selection, as the system is slightly different). Once this is obtained, the most often write-in problem both type phonos, is a dirty write-in cont INSULATOR, in the Pricing unit ( assuming electronics are good !). Let us know what you find-- Ron Rich

[mb9513]

Thanks Rob and Ron: Ron was right. I went to the cam switches in the pricing unit found one of the contacts with way too much open adjustment. they were still dirty. I had to get another credit unit off Ebay. I did a quick clean with DeOxit. not enough. now seems to work ok. I am getting to the end of my Burn in with all the rebuilt components. so Ron my wife refers to you as the Guru. if I get out to California in your area I owe you a cold one! Mark

[Ron Rich]

Hi Mark,
Glad you have it working--but-- you "done wrong" ! Don't know which pricing unit you have (as you failed to give the whole model number of your
"Q" ) but, no mater, Deoxit is NOT what you need to use there ! The INSULATOR and the gold flashed contact, as well as the space between them need to be clean and dry ! NO "lubrication" of any kind there, or it will leak again--soon ! ( Write-in "finger(s?)" need to be removed, Insulator cleaned with either a plastic-safe, solvent, or 91 % alcohol--"finger' cleaned--LEFT, dry )