Trouble with metal spring pins on Dual 1218.
 

Hey all, lately it's been difficult for me to get some sound from the cartridge base due to those metal pins, and it's the spring version of the cartridge I have. Is it likely because contact base is dirty? Or can it be that they're not touching it close enough? For a short while I got audio in the left speaker, but now nothing at all.

Re: Trouble with metal spring pins on Dual 1218.
 

I have had the same problem on these sort of Dual decks, I just clean the connector pin ends and the PCB inside the headshell with switch cleaner on a cotton bud and no more problems.
Good luck
Gary

Re: Trouble with metal spring pins on Dual 1218.
 

I don't think they're dirty, last Thursday I had fine stereo sound in them, can't I shape them up so I'm having more contact? That's the point with them, right?

Re: Trouble with metal spring pins on Dual 1218.
 

Have you checked the cartridge pins and the insides of the connecting tags? They can get a sort of verdigris on them over time.

Re: Trouble with metal spring pins on Dual 1218.
 

Can I scrub that off with a steel brush?

Re: Trouble with metal spring pins on Dual 1218.
 

I think this might be one of those where the finger lift moves to release the cartridge carrier. If so I've seen several where the plastic fixing lugs in the carrier have been broken off and this causes the carrier to not connect with the fixed contacts.

Re: Trouble with metal spring pins on Dual 1218.
 

I have found that scraping the connecting pins/lugs with a new Stanley knife type blade very effective and more precise than brushing/sanding. It can make all the difference!

Re: Trouble with metal spring pins on Dual 1218.
 

I think cleaning the contacts was all I needed, I've got stereo sound now.

Re: Trouble with metal spring pins on Dual 1218.
 

Good, glad you fixed it.

On many Duals the crimped connections on the cartridge wires go bad