Stacking one record on changer...wont play when dropped

I have a 1962 Motorola stereophonic hi-fi. I believe it is a V-M record changer. When I stack just one record on the spindle and let it drop after setting it to rej, the player just shuts off. It also does this for the last record when I stack multiple records. It just won't play one record on the the spindle arm. Is this normal? All other functions work properly.

No--that would not be "normal" operation--but it is a "not un-common" problem, that I have seen before--
I do not work on them--hopefully one of the guys here that do, will advise you further--I would advise you to wait for instructions, rather then attempt a repair, which can cause damage--
Ron Rich

Ok...
2012 - 1962 = 50 YEARS.

Would anyone expect something that old to function properly?

No.

The thing's in need of long-beyond servicing - a full-on overhaul now.
Not a quick-fix....
Not an option....

Invest in a reputable sevicer - a one-time expense, and the issues will be history.

I've had the same problem with a cute little console that I got at a thrift store seven years. Some type of generic console on legs/railing with a VM changer, possibly late 60's, not that 70's particle board junk. It was very clean and seemed to be used very little. I did soften up the idler wheel, replaced the cartridge, took care of a few issues on the underside, and some minor cabinet touch-ups, but that shut-off issue was driving me nuts.

I didn't do a major overhaul, just do what I do and give them away to friends an coworkers, only charging for a new cartridge when applicable. Maybe it's just luck, but I haven't had any complaints. These are just extra record players I have around the house, and people expressed an interest in them. No profits or warranties here, just take it since I have no room. I surely will not put any professionals out of business because I don't work on other people's stuff. I will not part with any MAGGIES, though.

Before I gave this console to my coworker/friend of many years, I discovered that on the underside of the changer, there was a flat blade-type lever that wasn't retracting to it's original position. It was attached to that big assembly that moves back and forth doing the change cycle.

I do not know the name of ANY of those parts on the underside (no professional here, for sure), but cleaned it and it solved my problem. Of course, all through the years, I've read hundreds of posts and websites, books on turntable repair.

Anyhoo, I gave it to her and she played it almost daily, and would leave the radio on for her gazillion pets. The dogs chewed on the legs and the cats scratched up the speaker grilles. I was thoroughly pissed that she would let her animals do that. I would have been calling the taxidermist after dealing with them critters.

Not to go off on a tangent, because I love animals, growing up on a farm, and I'm gonna get a few city chickens for my backyard, but please train your pets. I made the mistake of babysitting a cat for two weeks, and when I came home from work one day, he was clawing and shredding my $800 cover on my $60K concert grand piano. I locked his A$$ back in the 2nd bedroom for the remainder of his stay.

Anyhoo, back on topic. Like Matt said, take it to a professional and have it completely serviced right the FIRST time instead of someone putting a bandaid on the problem. It will truly save you in the long run. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

The delay stop is not working, probably because it is stuck in hardened grease.

The delay stop is a little spring loaded flag built into the change cycle slide. Its job is to delay the shutoff for one cycle, so the last record will play.

Immediately after the last record drops, the overarm drops below the spindle ledge. At this point, it is indicating that there are no records on the spindle. But we want the last record to play. When the overarm drops, it turns the shutoff lever. At this time, the change-cycle slide has moved all the way away from the spindle, causing the record to drop.

The delay stop is now in the way of the shutoff arm, preventing it from turning far enough to stop the arm from swinging in. Now the cycling slide reverses its direction. After the pickup arms starts to swing in, the slide pulls the delay stop away from the shutoff lever. The shutoff lever now turns, but is stopped by the arm return lever, which is swinging in the arm. The arm sets down on the record and plays it

After the record ends, the cycling slide raises the arm and swings it out. The arm return lever swings out too, releasing the shutoff lever to move to the shutoff position. When the slide reverses this time, the shutoff lever keeps the arm return lever from swinging in the arm again.

You can see the delay stop from the bottom side of the changer. It is a thin little part less than an inch long that is riveted to the change cycle slide so it covers part of one of the slots in it. it is hard to describe, but it reminds me of the Castrol Oil logo. There should be a tiny little spring that pushes it in to cover the slot. This part must be free to move to cover the slot when the shutoff lever is not pushing it to one side.

Make sure the flag is free to move, that it is not bent, and that the spring is there to push it back into place.

The original VM 950 had a rigid part of the slide there. It was replaced with the spring loaded flag after people trying to raise the overarm during the last change cycle jammed the changer.

Thank you for all of this information! Would you happen to have any pictures or websites of what you are describing? I'm not an expert on the mechanics of my stereo, and being that it is 50 years old and in mint condition, I would never attempt to take it apart myself. I tried placing a thin piece of felt under the support arm post. This enabled the support arm to be raised a hair higher than usual, so that when only 1 record is dropped, the tone arm does move over to play it! Solved that problem. Seemed the support arm needed to be raised a tad? Only problem is now when the record is finished playing, it won't automatically shut off anymore. It repeats and the tone arm moves back to the middle section of the LP. What to do!? That little bit of height that the piece of felt provided was enough for the record to play when it was the only one on spindle, when dropped. But now it won't automatically shut off when finished. Any answers??

Again, much appreciated for the feedback.

Your record stabilizer arm is bent upwards.
Probably from lifting it by the spindle, instead of by its rear pivot rod. (the proper way)
They aways get bent, or damaged, or broken.
Take the damn felt out, and straighten the arm.
The record should sit perfectly level to the platter with the arm on it.

I agree Matt as I had the same problem or at least it sounds like it. When I put a stack of 45s on the spindle the records would not lay level with the turntable. I slightly bent the follower arm (or whatever it's called) so the records laid flat on the spindle. I also (don't shoot me) used a slight amount of WD40 on the follower arm shaft (where it enters into the changer body. That made the follower arm shaft move up and down very easy. Now the records lay flat and the changer works as expected!

Hi elchucko,

Consider yourself shot!

Regards
Alan

Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

ami-man

ya got me.

I had this problem after I bought a 1959 Philco record player. Manual said it was a M-43 record changer ( dont know who the manufacture is), prob V-M ??., anyway..I read (Record-changer) analysis of this problem, and he was spot on. a gummed up "delay stop" and does look like the recent Castro Oil logo. After oiling it up.. it freed it,, Changer now works great.. By the way, you dont have to be a mechanical expert to work on this...Have some balls, take pics before you disassemble.
Save yourself some bucks..I'm just a novice , but if I can do it , anyone can.

Lowell
Portland , Oregon

LowellVH wrote:I had this problem after I bought a 1959 Philco record player. Manual said it was a M-43 record changer ( dont know who the manufacture is), prob V-M ??., anyway..I read (Record-changer) analysis of this problem, and he was spot on. a gummed up "delay stop" and does look like the recent Castro Oil logo. After oiling it up.. it freed it,, Changer now works great.. By the way, you dont have to be a mechanical expert to work on this...Have some balls, take pics before you disassemble.
Save yourself some bucks..I'm just a novice , but if I can do it , anyone can.

Lowell
Portland , Oregon

Indeed, SOME changers are simple to work on. - that have a simple problem.
But alas, there are some that only US professional techs can properly service.

Phfft.. professional.. what a laugh,, dont flatter youself.. this isnt rocket science,, its a record changer..
Lowell
Portland, Oregon

LowellVH wrote:Phfft.. professional.. what a laugh,, dont flatter youself.. this isnt rocket science,, its a record changer..
Lowell
Portland, Oregon

I highly doubt you'd be able to tear down and re-assemble a Garrard Lab 80 chassis properly.
Just like your put-down towards someone who learned a good trade and works for a living.
Lackluster attempt.

MattTech wrote:

LowellVH wrote:Phfft.. professional.. what a laugh,, dont flatter youself.. this isnt rocket science,, its a record changer..
Lowell
Portland, Oregon

I highly doubt you'd be able to tear down and re-assemble a Garrard Lab 80 chassis properly.
Just like your put-down towards someone who learned a good trade and works for a living.
Lackluster attempt.

Not all problems with this equipment requires an "expert" to repair. Save some money do it yourself if/when you can. If need be attempt to get answers to questions you may have....reduces "learning curve" on something you probably will never have to look at again. The answer in every case is not to take it to a "professional" to repair. In some cases yes. For the little old grandma maybe in all cases. A Garrard Lab 80.....I don't care. Don't have one. Don't need one. I'm not a radio station.