rockola starlet 429 write in carriage

[hotrod29]

I have had this for 5 yrs. it did work good but then it just sit for a few years. so now when I make a selection the arm on the write in carriage will move about 1/2 way
around . so I have to gave the arm a little push and the It will keep going around and paly the record I lube the gears and removed the write in motor and oiled it.
do you think I need to pull the write in carriage out and clean ? or can it be a relay doing that.?
Thanks Ron

[jukeboxmarty]

Sometimes the surface on which the contact carriages ride gets sticky and 'gummed up' (especially if previously greased).

I'd start by cleaning the surface of the selector disc.

-Marty

[hotrod29]

Ok I cleaned the disc , its a little better now. when I take the write in arm and move it around by hand it is a little stiff when I get by the bottom of the disc and that is where it stops when you play a record I adjusted the write in motor gear but still the same.??

[jukeboxmarty]

Hard to say the particular cause, but I've seen scores of Rock-Ola selection discs that have been greased. In almost every case cleaning the surface works well enough for the arm to travel adequately.

Greasing the disc surface may not be recommended and it's not on the lubrication chart, but a thin smear of grease might be a quick way of getting the write-in arm moving properly again.

[hotrod29]

Ok Let me work on it a little more cleaning I will let you know,
Thanks Ron

[hotrod29]

Hi Marty The write in side is working good but now the read out side just keeps going around will not stop to play record I n did not touch that side at all.
Thanks Ron

[jukeboxmarty]

Try cleaning the read-out contact surfaces on the read-out carriage arm, and the read-out contact circuit board traces on the selection disc.

The read-out carriage arm is easy enough to remove and it will make cleaning easier.

[hotrod29]

Ok I cleaned everything write in and read out, but now if I push the C and any number the write in arm fines and the read out goes around but it stops at the home and dose not get record so would that be on the read out or maybe the selector buttons?
Thanks for the help so far
Ron

[jukeboxmarty]

If you go to make a selection via the keyboard and it sets the appropriate pin, the write-in is working fine.

As the mechanism scans, the read-out carriage should detect any pins that were previously tripped by the write-in.

The big question is......

Are the pins being set or not?

[hotrod29]

I will take a look it that tomorrow.

[hotrod29]

I do not think the pins are set when I push the c and any number the write in arm goes around and stop in different spots and the read out always just goes to the home spot and stops. the other letters sim to work good just the C??

[jukeboxmarty]

If the write-in carriage arm stops in the correct position (by the correct selection pin), that seems to eliminate most other problems except for the correct operation of the proper write-in solenoid, which physically sets the selection pin.

The problem could be in the keyboard, or the interconnecting wiring and/or plug connections.

If the mechanism starts it's scan cycle, it would suggest that the write-in solenoid is partially firing to move the wobble plate, but not strong enough to completely set the selection pin.

Other than that I have no further suggestions, other then read the manual and try to understand the theory of operation.

-Marty

[hotrod29]

Hi Marty
I think i got it I sprayed the C letter good and now it is working fine Thanks for the help.
Thanks
Ron

[jukeboxmarty]

Good news! Glad it's working.

[hotrod29]

one more thing can you tell me where I could buy a new number and letter strip that goes on the Popularity Wheel??
Thanks
Ron