AMI Continental 2: Will Not Select and Play Record

[Deadhead Japan]

Greetings all!

I am relatively new to the jukebox community and still learning.

I am restoring an AMI Continental 2 jukebox. I pulled the mechanism and selector assembly when doing the cabinet restoration.  Other than cleaning and replacing the transfer motor line cord, I have not messed with the mechanism.  The selector assembly was recapped.  Essentially all of the functions work properly, but not in sequence.  I have verified all adjustments per the manual and readjusted the cam switches per the manual.  The magazine scans when scan is selected.  Machine is set to free play.

So here is my problem... When the juke is turned the on, the latch solenoid is energized preventing the keys from engaging.  I can select and hold a number and letter and the write in process occurs, but the magazine does not turn and if the buttons are released, the write in process stops.  The sprag relay does not energize, but pressing on the sprag level does release R2 relay. If I trip the sprag switch the magazine does rotate and will stop at pin if out.

If I press and release a stopping switch, the transfer arm will pick a record up and put it down on the turntable, but will immediately return it back to the magazine, but the magazine will not scan after returning the record.

If I press and hold a stopping switch, the transfer arm will pick a record up and put it down on the turntable and the record will play to the end and return it back to the magazine, but again, not scan.  


For the most part, the juke was working somewhat normally before removing it from the cabinet.  I believe the problem lies somewhere in the selector assembly.  

Thanks in advance!

[jukenorman]

There is a lot of information on the forum and AMi Continentals have had problems discussed many times.

Personally, I never think it's a good idea to make adjustments unless there is a requirement, like a component having been replaced. There can be quite a number of various adjustments on jukeboxes (depending on model), some of which interact and there is nothing I hate more than getting a machine that's been tampered with. When it comes to adjustments, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" definitely applies! I have a sixty five year old Seeburg and nearly all the adjustments are exactly as they left the factory (thankfully!). Having said that, what's done is done so you need to get on with it!

Deal with your problems one at a time. There is a Continental thread just below this dealing with the latch solenoid that should help you (you can start with it) and there is also a long thread stretching over about three years on Rob's Continental as well as others. Best of Luck!


Norman.

[Deadhead Japan]

Hi Norman,

Thanks for the reply. In your opinion, there are multiple issues going on here? I was hoping there was one, that was causing it. In any event, I will start with the latching issue. I searched for the thread and did not find it. Could you please post the thread below.

Thanks in advance!

Neal

[Deadhead Japan]

disregard... I believe I found it.

Continental AMI Juke Box Fault Finding

[jukenorman]

Yes I'm afraid that I do think there are a a number of issues, some will be the same though! Start with the latch solenoid, then the sprag relay and write-in etc.

Norman.

[Deadhead Japan]

I am trying to find the latch thread... Could you please post the link below?

Thanks,

Neal

[jukenorman]

Hi Neal,
It's this thread jukeboxaddicts.proboards.com/thread/4359/continental-1-start-problem It's a bit confusing, the first post seems to be deleted and it's the second part of the thread that deals with the latch soenoid not de-energising.

Norman.

[Deadhead Japan]

Norman,

I was able to look at my box after the holiday madness... I found one of the letter end switches was did not have the proper gap tolerance. The switch was not mated, but was close. I adjusted the gap and now the relay when depressed releases the latch solenoid. However, I cannot select anything even if I depress the relay to release the latch solenoid and make a selection. I feel this may be a credit issue. My box is set to free play ( I don't know how) but was before I acquired it. I did notice one B/W wire is cut on credit unit. Is this how the box is set to free play? How should I proceed?

[jukenorman]

Hi Neal,
I'm a bit confused by your reply above. This is what you should have - cutting one of the wires to the subtract solenoid in the credit unit is a common way to make free play on an AMi. What you then need to ensure is that the contacts wiper on the credit unit is NOT fully counter clockwise ie it must have some credit registered. The credit light should be lit. The latch solenoid should be de-energised, the buttons should latch when depressed and when a letter and number button are latched, the write-in motor should run.

Norman.

[Deadhead Japan]

Norm,

Sorry for the confusion... This is the most up-to-date issue. When the unit is power on, the latch solenoid pulls locking out the switches. When the mechanism switch is turn on, the R2 relay is power (movement observed). The credit light is illuminated. (currently any selection). When I cleaned and replaced the glass, I could have installed the lights back in the wrong position. The wiper is at the 2 o' clock position (all blades are on the contact rings and cleaned).

Since I adjusted the letter end switches, now when I depress the latch relay, the latch solenoid will release. However, the latch solenoid is sticky. Sometimes, I have to manually move the latch bar with the relay pressed for the latch solenoid to release. However, once assisted, the latch solenoid powers/depowers when the relay is pressed. At this point, some times the juke will write in a selection with both the latch relay depress and select buttons are pressed, but not all the time.

I have pulled the selector out the box microscopically examined all connections, and not found any defects. I shot continuity from the common wire (looking at the selector plug the pin on the right by its self) and I have good continuity.

When I press the credit plunger, the wiper moves along the contact rings. At this point, I feel the selector is good and I should be focusing attention on the credit? Yes? No? I have verified that the credit plunger switches are mated.

[jukenorman]

OK so you have credit and the latch solenoid is a bit sticky - which you could clean at some point - but that is not the main issue. The main issue is that the latch relay is not energising which it should when you have credit established. So you are back to the thread I linked to a few posts above, checking/cleaning the contacts of the sprag relay and pulse control relay.

Norman.

[Deadhead Japan]

I cleaned all three relays; Sprag, R2 & R3. I am have a heard time see the contacts, but it appears that all the contacts are mated... Still trying to get a good look at them... However, as I was cleaning the R2 with power off, I accidentally touched the inner leaf connected to the contacts with my mirror and the latch relay is being energized... further investigating...

[Deadhead Japan]

I have 28 volts across the inner R2 leaf springs. When the leaf springs are jumped across, the latch relay energizes... On a separate note, I discovered that when the sprag relay is depressed, the R2 relay, denenergizes. Is that supposed to?

While troubleshooting, the letter and number backlighting extinguished. What the heck? I looked for the circuitry on the schematic, but it is not listed.

[jukenorman]

Hi Neal,
You've pretty much answered your own question - if you have 28V across a contact that should be closed, it's either not properly closed, it's dirty or it's damaged! And if you look at the schematic, you will see a contact of the sprag relay in the circuit for the pulse control relay (R2), so yes it de-energises but on a time delay. The schem-a-grams in the manual run through how it all operates. The fluorescent circuits are fairly standard which is probably why they're not covered in the manual.

Norman.

[Deadhead Japan]

Hi Norman,

I have cleaned the contacts once already, but I will clean them again. What I have notices is that the two front contacts on the relay are always closed and the left rear contact opens and closes when the relay is energized. According to the manual, that all the contacts should be open in a de-energized state. Correct? Once the mechanism is turn on, then all contacts should close. Correct?