Post by Bob on Nov 23, 2020 22:11:23 GMT
Hi there. I've owned a Rockola 488 for 30 years and managed to keep it running perfectly with only minor maintenance. However, about two months ago we had a momentary power failure while the machine was running, and I haven't been able to return it to service. I have the service manual and schematics for model 477, which I believe is substantially similar to the 488.
WHAT HAPPENED: Prior to the failure, a record had just finished playing. Following the power failure, the machine came on and there was a loud clicking noise. I shut it down and observed that all records were in the magazine and the gripper arm was at or near the home position. I turned the power back on, all lights came on, the clicking noise resumed and the turntable was rotating. It appeared that the magazine was trying to rotate, so I gently "helped it along" for about a quarter of a turn and it "locked" into the home position. The clicking stopped and so did the turntable. The clicking seemed to come from the lower part of the unit. (In hindsight I wish I hadn't "helped it along", since I now realize I may have turned it in the wrong direction).
CURRENT STATUS: When the power is turned on, all the lights come on, but the magazine does not rotate one revolution as it should, and the turntable is not rotating. There is no clicking sound--nothing happens. I moved the scan switch to SCAN position and nothing happens. I tried putting coins in and credits registered normally. I selected a song, the credits reduced by one and then nothing happens. I've checked the three operating voltages and they're all normal. I tried the Logic Board Test, but when you press the TEST button, nothing happens. The knurled knob under the magazine motor appears to turn freely--no resistance or clicking.
My initial thought was that the problem would be in the gears associated with the magazine motor. However there is no clicking sound when the machine is first powered ON and the magazine should be trying to rotate. So I'm assuming power is not getting to the magazine motor (I haven't confirmed this--access to the magazine motor is difficult!). And I have been able to confirm the source of the clicking noise, since it no longer occurs at this stage of the sequence.
Any assistance to get me further along the path to success will be greatly appreciated. This Jukebox is like an old friend to me!
Thanks...Bob
WHAT HAPPENED: Prior to the failure, a record had just finished playing. Following the power failure, the machine came on and there was a loud clicking noise. I shut it down and observed that all records were in the magazine and the gripper arm was at or near the home position. I turned the power back on, all lights came on, the clicking noise resumed and the turntable was rotating. It appeared that the magazine was trying to rotate, so I gently "helped it along" for about a quarter of a turn and it "locked" into the home position. The clicking stopped and so did the turntable. The clicking seemed to come from the lower part of the unit. (In hindsight I wish I hadn't "helped it along", since I now realize I may have turned it in the wrong direction).
CURRENT STATUS: When the power is turned on, all the lights come on, but the magazine does not rotate one revolution as it should, and the turntable is not rotating. There is no clicking sound--nothing happens. I moved the scan switch to SCAN position and nothing happens. I tried putting coins in and credits registered normally. I selected a song, the credits reduced by one and then nothing happens. I've checked the three operating voltages and they're all normal. I tried the Logic Board Test, but when you press the TEST button, nothing happens. The knurled knob under the magazine motor appears to turn freely--no resistance or clicking.
My initial thought was that the problem would be in the gears associated with the magazine motor. However there is no clicking sound when the machine is first powered ON and the magazine should be trying to rotate. So I'm assuming power is not getting to the magazine motor (I haven't confirmed this--access to the magazine motor is difficult!). And I have been able to confirm the source of the clicking noise, since it no longer occurs at this stage of the sequence.
Any assistance to get me further along the path to success will be greatly appreciated. This Jukebox is like an old friend to me!
Thanks...Bob
