Hello,

I have a problem with my Beogram 5500 that arrived today. I loosened the transport screws, but the platter just won't turn and it also won't turn if I try to turn it with my hands (it seems locked). The arms are on the left side and can't be moved back to the right. I opened it up and had a quick look, but I don't really have an idea. Both motor's are running (all the time, even in standbye it appears), the belts seem ok. The two arms aren't parallel either, but that appears to be a relatively small problem according to some other topics on this.

Has anyone got an idea what the problem might be? I can post pictures of the inside if that might be of any help.

Amazing that no one answered, please post pics, and tell us what happens when you press different buttons.

I had a similar problem to this (can't remember the exact details but certian strikes a chord!) and it turned out to be the small leaf spring associated with the worm drive from the tracking motor. If incorrectly seated by a small amount the worm is not able to disengage and causes all manner of trouble!

There could be so many reasons.
I've once found a stray pickup cartridge blocking the mech.
Lift off the platter and remove the black plastic sheet (if fitted), take a peek down there and/or
let's see a photo.

Martin

Dillen:

I've once found a stray pickup cartridge blocking the mech.

Martin

Now that is a fault we would all like to find in our decks :)

Yes, me too
However, I don't remember it being any good and I'm almost sure it went into the
glass jar that I have standing here, dedicated finds like this.

Martin

The picture is a bit big, but when opened in a separate window it works fine I guess.

What it does:

When the power is plugged in, the motor that drives the platter starts running. The speed of this does change when the 33/45 buttons are pushed.

When I press standbye, the copper windings close to rl1/rl2 (lower left corner in of the picture) push what's inside up and the motor driving the arm starts running. The motor of the arm stops after a few seconds.

Pushing play doesn't do anything and that's the same for the turn/lift button.

Any help appreciated :)

Hi look at the picture below...

I think it Looks like the spring has indded jumped out, permenantly forcing the worm against the gear. Gently lift up and put back into the slot you can see on the left of the strip as above, and that should hopefully sort the issue out.

Thought I would add this to make things a little clearer...

Yellow line is where spring should be.

That was quick!

But, although your picture about the final position is clear, I cannot get it there. Should I be able to see the slot where it should fit into? There is no slot at the point your yellow line and the plastic part cross, or did you mean something else?

Ah ok I can see more clearly now yes it looks ok then - sorry about that! Out of interest is the solonoid able to move freely both ways on the pcb?

Ok, that's one possible problem down then

Yes, the solenoid can move freely.

ok

It does look like someone has pulled the mech apart before, there is a broken retaining pin on the arm return lever. Not essential to operation but makes you wonder!

There are a few interlocking pins and levers under that large cog that can become out of sinc not to mention the latch mechanism and the secondary cog - it will probably need to be removed and reset.

If the large cog does not move then you could try diss-engaging the worm drive - this is engaged where the silver lever meets the brass springy lever we were looking at before. You should really remove the cog to achieve this though - I personally really enjoy doing this but I would highly recomend the service manual (downloadable silver member) and a great deal of care as everything has to go back correctly. Great fun working out how the mech works and I have a lot of respect for the folks who design these!

Of course you could (and should) complain to the person you got it off!