AMI G-120 selector pins don't all function.

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cmangeng
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Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:17 am
Location: Port Orchard, WA, USA

AMI G-120 selector pins don't all function.

by cmangeng » Sun Nov 17, 2013 2:47 am

I have a manual, but it does not go into any detail on how to repair selector finger function or how to trouble shoot a problem. I am new to jukeboxes and enjoy tinkering with the ones I have come across. I have done minor repairs to several and have several more in the process of repairs that are waiting on parts, manuals or advice from experienced minds in the field. This is currently just a hobby, I have not sold any units repaired, though I am running out of room in the man cave for the repaired ones....guess I will have to enlarge it. :)
This Juke (ami g-120) had many issues to start with, but I am currently trying to get all the sector fingers to actuate. Only about 60% activate from the selector buttons. All the selector buttons will cancel a credit on the credit mech., but all of them do not cause the selector fingers to move. They appear to be magnetically activated and manually cleared with the reset lever pawl.
I could not find any lubrication guide for the selector fingers and assumed they are not to be lubricated, is that correct?
Is it possible for all those magnets to have failed or is there some other likely cause for that many selector magnets to no function?
As an afterthought, is the only true way to remove power from this juke is to unplug it? I turned off the switch on the back cabinet and while inspecting a shoddy wire repair on the turntable motor and found to my amazement, through some tingling in my hand, that the power was still flowing through the mech. Now they all get unplugged while tinkering for safety and I stay away from the caps until discharged.
Thanks for any advice an this Juke, this is my first post and I apologize if I did something wrong.


Ron Rich
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Location: Millbrae (San Francisco area)CA, USA

Re: AMI G-120 selector pins don't all function.

by Ron Rich » Sun Nov 17, 2013 8:20 pm

Hi,
Most likely reasons for failure to "push pins", are--not necessarily in any order--
1. "Keyboard contacts". 2. "Pulse generator" contacts, 3. "Sticky pins", themselves.
AMi notes that "no lubrication" of the "pin" is recommended--they suggest that if "sticky", you change the spring ! Well, today, that can not be done, as springs are NLA--so what I do, is VERY CAREFULLY, remove the spring, clean it and the pin with a safety solvent, and wipe a small amount of food grade silicone,in/on, them.
The way the AMi "power switch" is wired, it only shuts down parts of the circuit when off--I modify all of them to shut down the whole machine, as I really don't want my customers to find out that it "ain't off"--the way you did !! (besides, it saves power !) Ron Rich


Topic author
cmangeng
Regular Member
Posts: 58
Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:17 am
Location: Port Orchard, WA, USA

Re: AMI G-120 selector pins don't all function.

by cmangeng » Mon Nov 18, 2013 5:45 am

Thank you Ron, it was sticky pins. I had cleaned them earlier in my tinkering, but was not sure about the lubrication, so I did not put any on at that time. Unfortunately I got your message after I applied a small drop of sewing machine oil to the tips of each pin where it contacts the spring. I then committed the ultimate taboo and shot some WD40 to the rocker points of all of the pins. I then wiped any excess off the pins. It solved the problem and now all the selection pins operate smoothly. Hopefully this will provide for smooth operation for some time to come, but I will be keeping this big old box, so if it does cause problems down the road I will be sure to let everybody know.
Ron, I like the idea modifying the switch to turn off the whole machine, that will be next on my agenda. I can't believe that was not required for safety when they were built. Oh well, that will teach me for putting my hands where they don't belong.
I now have to order a new stylus and see if she will play.
Ron, thanks again for all your help, Craig.


Ron Rich
Forum Moderator
Posts: 8196
Joined: Sun May 06, 2007 11:31 pm
Location: Millbrae (San Francisco area)CA, USA

Re: AMI G-120 selector pins don't all function.

by Ron Rich » Mon Nov 18, 2013 6:14 pm

Hi Craig,
Glad you "got-it"--however, it has been my sad experience that WD-40 "gums up", very quickly in ANY, app.
Hope you"luck" is better then mine !
Ron Rich

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