Seeburg Discotheque Picks but won't play record

First of all, hello to all. I'm new to the forum and to jukeboxes in general. This jukebox is a select-o-matic phonograph model PFEA1U that we recently inherited from my father-in-law. The device had been in storage, but was known to work a couple of years ago. I've scoured this and other forums/youtube/ and the internet at large to find a solution to this issue without luck, so I'm hoping that someone here can help me out before I go and pay someone to come out. The issue I'm having is that the device will not play a record (here me out ). The carriage will scan back and forth perfectly and will even pick the record selected as needed, but then stops! After picking the record the stylus comes to rest as expected, but the record never turns and is never replaced, which appears to be the more common issue as I've found numerous posts about that problem. But mine never replaces the record unless I press the reject button on the back of the machine, at which point the record is placed back in it's slot and the carriage returns to rest. I've watched from the rear, and the clutch does not appear to be bound, as the fork and all other actuators in that area appear to move freely. Any insight is very much appreciated. If needed, I can post any photo/video of the process.

Thanks,
Ian

Ian, the machine's "autospeed" unit or connections to it has failed. The mechanism run native @33rpm. When it mounts a 45 the speed unit takes over powering the motor and raises the line frequency going to to approx 84Hz. When the record trips off or is rejected the motor is transferred back to line.

The bigger issue here is that this machine is fifty years old and has not been given proper maintenance for decades. The machine was on location when Sonny and Cher and the Byrds had their first hit There are components in the amp, control units and mechanism that can be ruined by continuing to use it without service. It also isn't going to sound anywhere near a good as it can without care.

First, I recommend you get a service manual. the primary sources are: http://www.alwaysjukin.com/items/servic ... s/list.htm Or: http://www.victoryglass.com/manualsframe.htm
Used manual may appear on E-bay but make sure they are either original Seeburg prints or AMR reprints. A lot of others can be subpar and simply low grade scans of originals.

Once you are at least somewhat familiar with the machine, you can assess your abilities and whether to do the work yourself, or hire someone.

Rob-NYC

Hi Ian,
Rob is correct, about the manuals !! (and, although he did not say so, I think my "Seeburg Mechanism Guide" is helpful)--and he is correct in saying that's a classic sign of an Autospeed failure---maybe ! Sometimes, when a phono has "sat for awhile", the lubrication becomes such an issue, that the motor can not overcome the problem. To determine if the Autospeed has failed, or the lubrication is the issue, one should first oil the whole "drive train" with the proper 20 wt. oil, then attempt to play a 33 rpm record. If you do not have one, carefully prop the clamp arm out just far enough to hear it drop off the Autospeed relay ( "DO NOT, stretch the spring !!!!)--at which point most motors will start turning--let it run for at least 10 minutes like this, then remove the "prop"--if it continues to turn, it should do so at 45 rpm, if it fails to do so, it's a "bad" Autospeed, for sure. ( I do rebuild Autospeeds, and most all other Seeburg components--PM me if you so desire, to purchase the mechanism guide, or have me rebuild the Autospeed). Ron Rich