Blaupunkt Arkansas 58. Turntable not working.

[Redgate23]

Hi, I have a Blaupunkt Arkansas 58, the radio works fine but there doesn’t seem to be any power to the turntable or the little spot light inside the compartment. I’m not very technical, just wondered if anyone had any tips or helpful hints. Thanks.

[Audio1950]

Let's start with the basics. Remove the circlip from the centre of the turntable (at the base of the spindle) and lift the turntable off. Now turn the control to "start", and see if the motor is turning.

[Edward Huggins]

It sounds like the mains power is not getting to the Collaro autochanger or the interior lamp. Check to see if there is a small plug in connector for these at the rear of the radio chassis. Record deck motors very rarely fail.

[andyrols]

I have a similar machine which had a different problem at the time, but as to how capable you are you might find it would be worth getting a local expert (advertised on these forums) to call out and fix it. It was certainly worth it for me - the vinyl collection is constantly used.

[Redgate23]

Thanks. We have managed to get the turntable working now but the sound is only coming from the stylus - the sound is fine from the radio but just not from the turntable. Also the arm automatically knocks the record down but then returns to the stand, it doesn’t automatically go onto the record. Not sure what all the wires are for on the back of the cabinet. The interior light is still not working on the side where the radio and turntable is, but the interior light on the cocktail cabinet side is fine.

[Michael Maurice]

This radiogram dates from 1957 and will need to be electrically and mechanically serviced. Just out of interest, what size records were you playing?

[Redgate23]

We were playing 45’s and we had the dial set to 45, so not sure why there is no sound coming from the speakers.

['LIVEWIRE?']

The 'no sound from the amplifier when playing a record could be due to a faulty cartridge. The way to check this is by a 'buzz test' at the pickup lead terminals. Gently pull back any insulating sleeves over the terminals, then touch each wire in turn. One will be the common negative lead which won't produce sound, but, if the amplifier is working with the switch set to 'gram, a loud buzz will be heard with the volume control at maximum. I am assuming that the Arkansas is fitted with a double wound mains transformer so that it's chassis is fully isolated from the mains. If, by any chance it is of the 'live chassis' type, then you must make certain that the mains neutral is connected to chassis, and ideally power the set via an isolating transformer. Not being familiar with continental radiograms, I thought it wise to include this caveat in my post

[Redgate23]

Hi, so sorry but we’re both not technically minded! I’ve attached images of the back of the cabinet. We don’t know if everything is connected as it should

['LIVEWIRE?']

I'm finding it difficult to see much in those images. Maybe other members can see better what's in the pictures than I.

[Station X]

The pick up sockets are those at the lower right of the first two pictures. You can see a representation of a turntable and tone arm.

Unplug the pick up leads, switch to GRAM and turn the volume to full. Then use a metal object such as a screwdriver to touch the metal part of each socket in turn. If the amplifier is working you'll hear a loud buzz or hum.

[Ambientnoise]

It’s unclear but it seems that the red and black pickup plugs are reversed. Try swapping them after the test in post 11. I think this will only affect only the audio from the turntable, not other problems.

[Redgate23]

Hi, how do you switch to Gram, is this a button on the radio at the front or is it a button/switch on the back? Thanks

[Ambientnoise]

Think there is a button on the front, prob labelled PU (pick up, an older term for the cartridge/record deck)

[Station X]

To the left of the Long Wave button?

[Redgate23]

We already had the PU switch on and we can hear a loud buzz/hum when the leads are connected - still no sound, only from the stylus. Not sure what else to try, do you think it needs a new cartridge? Thanks

[Station X]

Have you carried out the test suggested in post #11?

['LIVEWIRE?']

I stand to be corrected, but that seems to confirm to me that the Cartridge is faulty.

[Station X]

I just wondered whether the buzz/hum was present with the PU lead disconnected. Having the PU lead plugged in shouldn't cause hum. There's also a possibilty the plugs could be reversed.

['LIVEWIRE?']

True Graham, the bit about 'buzz/hum when the leads are connected' may be significant