Rockola 460 readout issue

[drkatz]

Hello! I tried searching for information on my issue but I wasn't able to find anything that quite matches what's going on with my jukebox. 

I just got a Rockola 460 and it's not quite working properly. There's several issues, I think, but the main issue that I'm trying to tackle at the moment is the read-out/magazine carriage not spinning. When I make a selection, the write in arm spins and hits down the correct pin, and the current limiting lamp flashes, and the credit reset triggers, but then nothing else happens. It should be noted that when I move the switch to "scan" nothing happens either. I was thinking it was maybe the magazine motor, but I just applied 18v to that and it rotates fine. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me.

[Ron Rich]

Do you have the Service Manual for that model ? Should be a sequence of operation chart in it that shows what/how motor is controlled. First place I would look, since you "just got this", would be at the plugs on the J box, under the mech shelf--- Ron Rich

EDIT: I assumed here that the selection pin is being pushed

[drkatz]

Thanks for the quick response. Yes, I purchased a service manual! Unfortunately, the 459/460 don't have a proper troubleshooting guide, but I think that the one included

It seems as though this problem could be cause by a large variety of problems, that's one reason I was posting here.

I thought that the lever was being hit on write-in but it's not. It just goes to that selection and stops before hitting the lever.

I was thinking that this the magazine/read-out motor not turning MIGHT have something to do with a microswitch, but that seems to be a little tricky to get to. Any advice on getting to that, short of just taking the whole assembly off of the 4 mounting screws?

[Ron Rich]

I don't understand your first paragraph here ?
Yes, any number of things can be the cause-- that's why you need a proper manual.
Did you check the MicroSwitches as shown in our FAQ's section-- I do not recall the orientation of the mechanism of that model inside the cabinet, but some cabinets have a small rear view panel, that can be removed for better (but not good !) access.
Ron Rich

[drkatz]

Wow, I can't believe I didn't see that huge panel in the back! DUH

I'll try to get a reading on those switches and will check back if I run into another dead end.

Again, have the manual. I just wanted to check on here to see if anyone knew of a more common issue with this specific model/make before attempting to test every single thing related to this motor.

Thanks!

EDIT: didn't reread my first sentence before responding to this! I was trying to say that the 459/460 didn't have a proper troubleshooting guide, but the manual I purchased included a 447-452 troubleshooting guide which should match up fairly closely to my model.

[drkatz]

Update here!

After quite a bit of learning, tinkering, and oiling. I think I'm getting close to a fully functional jukebox! After disassembling and cleaning/oiling the gripper mech, this thing is moving MUCH smoother. I can make a selection, it'll find the record and grab it and take it to the turntable, but the gripper won't release the record onto the turntable. It just holds it there and then the mech CB trips after several seconds of it sitting there. Looking at the cam in the back, the dip never makes it to the #3 micro switch. I can hand turn the gripper motor the rest of the way (to get it to release the grip on the record) and move the tonearm all the way to the record). At that point, it operates as it should and and will return the record back to the magazine at the end of the record.

I'm following along in my manual and the troubleshooting guide suggests checking the #14 15 ohm 10W resistor in the control box. Took the box out and tested the resistor and it reads 15ohms. That seems good.

Anyone else have any ideas on what could be happening here? I'm thinking it's something in the control box.

[Ron Rich]

If the resistor is good, is the mini switch, or relay, that inserts it into the motor circuit good ? READ the schematic-- or, it could be that the gripper, and gripper motor, is too "gummed up" to run on the lower voltage ? Ron Rich

[drkatz]

Gripper motor it was. I took it apart and cleaned that motor up. Goes through the whole cycle now. Super exciting to see this thing doing what its supposed to, sort of.

Now I have to figure out what's going on with the amp. I'm not getting ANY sound. :/

[Ron Rich]

Glad you "got it" ! First place I'd l@k is the volume control-- about half the time someone had a remote control switch on the wall and it's still sitting on that wall-- Ron Rich

[drkatz]

Thanks for the words of encouragement, Ron!

Could you elaborate on the remote switch? I've turned up the volume on the back of the amp. Is there something I should be looking for in the audio distribution box? Would a wallbox/remote volume override me turning the knob on the back of the amp?

[Ron Rich]

You're welcome-- My middle initial is "E."-- short for Encouragement !

Yea-- follow the "wire" from that rear mounted VC to the amp-- Izzit "plugged in", or iz there "sompin' elze" in the VC plug ?? Ron Rich

Edit: might also check the speaker connections -- look at your Service Manual for proper hook-up-- make sure there are no "other excess wires" dangling, there !!

[drkatz]

VC is connected from the back of the amp to the front plug on the amp. Checked the speaker connection, it all looks as it should.

I'm wondering if this thing is even getting power. I'm trying to read the schematic from the power supply, but I'm having a hard time figuring out where to check first. No blown fuses in the power supply though.

Edit: It's weirder still because when I bought this, before fixing the mech, the amp seemed to be getting power. The speakers used to make a humming sound whenever I turned it on. 

[Ron Rich]

A "dim bulb" just went off in my head-- Are the speakers connected-- is that a model where the front, along with the speakers is removable-?- seen the plug for the door speakers "messed up", many a time on those ?? Ron Rich

[drkatz]

speakers definitely seem to be connected! I can't see any breaks in there. They are on the front removable door, but the connection looks good.

[Ron Rich]

OK-- you just shut off the power to my dim bulb ! Ron Rich