Phonoland

OK, began working on my Rockolas, the first of which is a 429 Starlet. The machine powers up, credits up (using the freeplay switch) and allows me to make a selection, resulting in what visually appears to be proper function of the read-in/read-out sequence. However, this is where the process ends. There appears to be no motion of the cam and the carriage does not rotate (NOTE: The carriage will not rotate when the service switch is placed into the "scan" position).

Upon preliminary inspection, I noticed this plug (see photos below) was not fitted to any given socket. I RTFM and could not locate anything that indicates what this plug is for. I also noticed that the socket labeled "mechanism" on the power supply has no plug. However, the two (plug and socket) do not appear to match up (unless the plug straddles the center two rows in the socket, but this seems odd to me).







Any ideas on where this plug goes?

This machine is DIRTY. Looks like somebody decided to lube the entire contents of the cabinet with a heavy grade motor oil and then dump a lint trap into the mix. I want to remove the mech to clean (and learn each part). However, how do you Rockola folks work on mechs that rely on a suspended chasis design? Do you build some form of frame or support for the mech so that you can remove and work on it?

Any input would be greatly appreciated as always. Oh, and remember, I am a NEWB

It would appear to me that you have a "dumper" phono there--You will need to do some--no-a lotta- research to see which parts belong in that phono---and then find,fix, them-- Ron Rich

Hi
The plug in the photo is for connecting a stepper to the jukebox for operating a wallbox so is not needed, if the machine is writing in but stalling there then the wobble plate switch may not be operating correctly which in turn operates the play control relay and then starts the motor which moves record carriage. If you scan and the record basket does not move .... could be a fault with the play control relay circuit, loose plug connections or record basket motor.
clones

Was going to try to pull the mech today to get a better look at it and realized that I am not sure just how to to this. With the bar that runs across the front of the machine above the front panel, it does not appear as if I can 1) Pull the mech forward and out below the bard or 2) Remove it vertically over the bar. Does this bar need to be removed in order to get the mech out?

I also plan to build a jig to hold the mech while I work on it, but first I need to figure out how the heck to get the darned thing out!

I would say remove the bar, make sure all plugs have been disconnected
clones