Rock-ola 429 table not spinning

Greeting to all,

I moved that wonderful machine yesterday, from a second floor though a tiny stairway. My back is still hurting.

I tested it before buying it, worked great. The sound was good, all was spinning, a real joy. I read the moving article, interesting. I understand that I could have done a little better.

Now, in my garage, all is working with one cruel exception : The plate does not rotate anymore. What should I look for in priority and what do you think the moving may have hurt ? We have not been particularly harsh with it, but we drove a few miles with the Jukebox leaned back in a truck, no it was not standing up unfortunately.

The selector picks up the right disc, the tone harm gets on it, all seems to be working, the amp is giving some ground noise, but the plate does not spin.

I removed the plate to have a closer look at the TT motor and I believe I put it back properly. I can hear the motor trying hard.

I exchanged both of the side fuses (starter condenser) and then the spindle spinned for a little while.

Any suggestions ?

Have you used the service manual for troubleshooting?
Has the machine been recently (and properly) serviced?

Hi Matt,

No I have not yet downloaded the user guide, which is something I want to do later. Quite frankly, I was wondering if a manual from that era had troubleshooting sections like we're used to.

I know the machine was used once in a while, and just before moving it, it worked just fine. It has probably not been serviced professionally. The owner was taking good care though.

I'll check that, in "scan" mode, thank you. I mainly tested in "operate" mode and I could see the spindle not moving while the turntable was removed.

Yes. the magazine motor is trying, it's making noises, it gives resistance if I touch it, I know it's not dead.

I read a few posts here and was wondering if a micro-switch could be the problem.

With the Turntable off, the motor should spin freely. Check the plug to the turntable motor underneath. You don't need a manual for everything....

Thanks for the reply Eddie. I did check that plug underneath the TT motor, it seems to be plugged in alright. I did see the TT spin a little, twice, but no consistency and it just does not spin at all now. I played with the screws that fix the TT motor to its location inside the Juke because I thought it was pretty loose.

Does the TT motor need to be tightly screwed in or does it need to be a little loose ?

I think the tone arm may have been displaced a little as the first time I tried to play a disc the tone arm bumped on the side of the TT.

I am suspecting the starter condenser as it seemed to give a boost when I interchanged both of them.

Jon_Mtl wrote:Thanks for the reply Eddie. I did check that plug underneath the TT motor, it seems to be plugged in alright. I did see the TT spin a little, twice, but no consistency and it just does not spin at all now. I played with the screws that fix the TT motor to its location inside the Juke because I thought it was pretty loose.

Does the TT motor need to be tightly screwed in or does it need to be a little loose ?

I think the tone arm may have been displaced a little as the first time I tried to play a disc the tone arm bumped on the side of the TT.

I am suspecting the starter condenser as it seemed to give a boost when I interchanged both of them.

Turntable drive motors must "float" on rubber bushings to cancel out vibration noise during playback.
As was mentioned before - does the motor shaft spin freely with the fingers?

Hi Matt, thanks for the reply.

Yes, the motor shaft does spin freely with fingers.

I found the manual. I'm starting to believe the motor is done, but I find this surprising that it did not survive a ride in the Jeep ...

Be careful tightening those screws that holds the motor on. If someone has replaced them with the wrong screws (longer), they will pierce the windings and ruin it. The motor is 120vac. If you are fairly handy, you can apply 120v to it and see if it runs. If it does, the you have a problem elsewhere. You should also check for 120v at the plug when the motor should be running. If no voltage there, we can back on up the line and see what is wrong. Should take 5 minutes to diagnose if the motor is bad.

Hi
I would check for the 110 vac at plug at the turntable motor when either in scan or open mode and check the source of the 110 vac power supply and play control relay, also check wring from scan/off/open and associated plugs.
The turntable motors don't fail that often only from time to time need to be dismantled cleaned and lubricated
clones

Jon, and all,
--IF-- you have the type of motor mounted with screws, aside from using the correct length screws, these screws MUST be fitted with the correct length (brass) spacers, that go inside the white grommets. Ron Rich

Thank you Eddie, Clones and Ron for all the hints.

I will troubleshoot the motor as explained if needed.

Prior to that, concerning the spacers that must go into grommets, I will definitely try that. I have to say that the whole thing (motor)seemed pretty loose (which may have moved during transportation)and I tried removing the spacers thinking it was there because a previous owner used that in place of correct length screws. Now I understand it is a must. I'd like to understand the logic, if you have a minute.

That thing worked great, it has to be something minor. I hope.

All your comments are truly appreciated,

Jon

Jon_Mtl wrote:Thank you Eddie, Clones and Ron for all the hints.

I will troubleshoot the motor as explained if needed.

Prior to that, concerning the spacers that must go into grommets, I will definitely try that. I have to say that the whole thing (motor)seemed pretty loose (which may have moved during transportation)and I tried removing the spacers thinking it was there because a previous owner used that in place of correct length screws. Now I understand it is a must. I'd like to understand the logic, if you have a minute.

That thing worked great, it has to be something minor. I hope.

All your comments are truly appreciated,

Jon

The SPACERS inside the GROMMETS are there to allow freedom of movement for the motor assembly.
They keep the mounting bolts/screws/etc from CRUSHING the GROMMET tightly and defeating the purpose of free-floating of the motor.
If the grommets become deformed or dryrotted from age, the motor will sag and not be in proper alignment to do its job properly.

They are like a shoulder bolt. They limit how far it can be screwed in.