rock ola 426 gran prixII

poof

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This is my first jukebox. It seems to be a complete unit that worked before being put in a storage unit. When i turned it on everything lights up fine. When i move the switch to play mode, the turntable runs and there is a hum. I can make a selection on the mech on the right spins around but thats it, nothing on the record side. So check all fuses and lube some stuff up, same deal. when i put switch to select, the same things happen.

I found the hum to be the front motor, the one that moves the selector to the records. So i disconnect it, and turn on the machine, the hum is gone but this motor just keeps on running. While at it i disconnect the rear motor, it never runs with power on. I tried to turn the gear on the selector, but that shaft mech only moves a little. The arm mech seems to be free.

All fuse have been checked. It seems like the wrong stuff is on at the wrong time. I think that the front motor should only power up to grab the record, and the rear motor would control the carousel of records, and the turntable would only power after a selection.

Thanks for any help
 
I believe it's normal for the turntable to run while it searches for selections. You might want to clean the leaf switch contacts at the base of the selector arm that run on those traces around the center of the selection board, as well as the traces themselves. Slide something like a business card with alcohol or contact cleaner on it under the contacts, and wipe down the traces with alcohol as well. If that doesn't help, there is a relay in the circuit that could be at fault. I seem to remember there are two identical relays in the control unit, or there is another matching relay somewhere in that jukebox.(Long time since I have worked on a Rockola) If so, maybe you could swap them to see if that is the problem.
 
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progress made

After some playing around and disassembly/reassembly the mechanics seem to be fixed. Now it selects/plays mechanically fine.

The needle arm just seems to float across the records. The spring is intact, and i hve moved the position. When it does play, the sound is poor at best. I replaced the stylus with another that looked new, same result. All fuses are good, turned the volume up and it cuts in and out, poor quality, tried bass/treble adjustments.

I am very happy that the mechanics seem to be squared away. But it needs to play music properly.

Thanks for any help.
 
After some playing around and disassembly/reassembly the mechanics seem to be fixed. Now it selects/plays mechanically fine.

The needle arm just seems to float across the records. The spring is intact, and i hve moved the position. When it does play, the sound is poor at best. I replaced the stylus with another that looked new, same result. All fuses are good, turned the volume up and it cuts in and out, poor quality, tried bass/treble adjustments.

I am very happy that the mechanics seem to be squared away. But it needs to play music properly.

Thanks for any help.

Both your problems are related to a Mech that is gummed up from old grease and oils. Especially when you say it had not been used for years and that adds to the problem. Goggle and you will find how to take the assy a part and properly clean and lube it, just re-lubing it will buy you some time, but for trouble free use it really should be taken apart and cleaned. Like you said the front motor is for the gripper arm, sounds like you somewhat got it loosed but not all the way and that is why the tone are is not dropping on the record all the way like it should and skips.
 
progress

Thanks for the responses. It seems that the stylus was bad, found another that came with, and now i have no skipping problems, the gripper mech is working aok, it seems mechanically fine.

Now i need to address the low, muffled, poor quality sound.
 
Are the jukebox and/or any external speakers connected properly? If the speakers are mis-wired (too low of impedance) you will be overloading the amplifier causing low, muffled sound. Be sure to double check the wattage taps for the internal speakers to be sure they are on the correct terminals.

Don't forget this jukebox amplifier is over 40 years old and will likely need to have the electrolytic capacitors in it replaced.
 
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capacitors

Where are these capacitors? Is this a "cap kit" that i have seen others write about? Where do i get these and how do i know if i need them? As far as the watts....there is an adjustment knob on the lower right front panel...8/12/18...there are metal tabs around the outside, held in with screws...are these adjustments as well? tyhey just look like wire lugs, but they are not all facing the same direction.....I have the original service manual, its been helpful.
 
no progress

Ok, i have replaced the stylus with a new one, I have cleaned the volume control box, to get rid of static while adjusting volume. I am only using records that i know, and only ones that look new.

The voulume is fine,....for some tones. Most lower vocal tunes are not heard, the rest of the song is fine, sounds good. Some records are like instumentals as the lyrics are not picked up.

What is my next move to fix this problem?
 
mission complete!!!

UPDATE: The old rockola is fixed and working well!, and has been moved from the garage to the game room in progress. After fixing all the mechanical issues, just gummed up stuff and some patience, the Sound was poor. So after buying a manual, and a new stylus, it works fine. The last hicup, the poor sound was overlooked by this neewb. During the whole mechanical teardown and buldup, one of the teeny wires going to the cartrige came undone. I soldered it up and all is good. Looks like my total investment of $161.00 is gonna work out fine.

So easy even a neewb can do it!


Thanks for all the help on this site.

Whats next?
 
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