I have a Dual CS1268 whose automatic advance/return function doesn't work. The turntable works manually (start/stop buttons work), but the arm does not advance to the beginning of the record. Separately, when the arm gets to the end of the record, the arm lifts up, there's a click as if it's about to return, but it doesn't. The arms drops again, plays the dead space at the end of the record, and repeats ad nauseum. I don't care about the fact that the automatic start doesn't work, but the failure to return at the end is a problem, since you have to walk to the turntable and move the arm back at the end (like in the gramophone days. Yes, 21st century man is lazier than 19th century man.)

Does anyone know how to fix this? I was hesitant to remove the tone arm and the small cover piece at its base until I know more about the "Alignment screw for the tonearm height," which is also set into the base. I'd like to know what's on the other side before I take it off. (I recently repaired a retracting power cord on a slide projector, and when I blindly took off the cover, a massive coiled spring leaped out like a giant snake before I crammed the cover back on and got the situation under control... which meant recoiling the spring.) There's probably nothing like that under here, but I'd like some more info before I start excavating.

There is a plastic clutch tip that controls all of the functions you describe. It has deteriorated and needs replacement. Has been discussed numerous times on this forum - do a search and you'll find it.

Bill- thanks for the info. Unfortunately I tried numerous forum searches (both turntables and general) for keywords "dual return," "auto-return," "clutch," etc. and didn't hit any relevant. Can you point me to a thread?

I found some good info on this on Vinyl Engine, for anyone interested:
(Hope it's not in bad taste to cross reference this forum...)
http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13104

Diagram of replacing the Dual plastic tip (Steuerpimpel)-
http://img230.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pimpelreplacementhintslm8.jpg

Maybe I was too hasty in my reply. It looks like this Steuerpimpel rests on a spring loaded pin and lifts the arm when necessary.

Bill, are talking about a different part? Any help would be great.

No, that looks to be right on the money to me. Those two pictures are actually quite good and very helpful. The "pimple" is a clutch pad which grips that fantail that in turn moves the tonearm. When it breaks apart, the fantail doesn't engage the pin and the tonearm fails to move.

I've got about half a dozen Duals here with that problem, so you're not alone. One retrofit involved using a cap off an old BIC pen, but probably almost any other small plastic cylinder of the appropriate length should work

That's it!
Bill

I am absolutely amazed that so many problems can be caused by such a small part... and that this part was made of something that could wear out, crack, crumble, or disintegrate. Why on earth didn't the Black Forest elves that designed these TTs use steel or something that wouldn't wear out? :scratch2:

Tom

Simple. Same reason they used crummy grease - planned obsolescence. They were in the business of selling turntables.

I successfully replaced the famed Steuerpimpel, and the auto-return now works well.

I cut a small plastic cylinder from the end of a dead Cross pen ballpoint refill. I knew I was saving it for a reason! On the 1268, the pin is about 5 mm. I cut the Steuerpimpel to be 6 mm and the tone arm now picks up and returns. It still doesn't index to the beginning of the LP when hitting start. It swings all the way to the center of the record.

There's a screw to adjust this index, but I haven't played with it yet. From the bottom, I examined the mechanism that it was attached to, but it wasn't clear how it worked. Can anyone explain?

The piece you need is called a white guide. The below copy of an old post will explain a cheap homemade version.

Cheap White guide or tip for Dual TT tonearm movement

I paid a total of $10 for the little piece of plastic called a white guide or tip that fits on a small metal spike and grabs a knorlled piece of plastic to let the tonearm swing acrossed the LP for my Dual 1249 TT.

I have three free or near free substitutes. What is needed is a piece of tubing that is 1/16 inch inside diameter. The plastic ink tube from a Bic ball point pen fits the bill and I used it. I cut it about 1/32 inch taller than the metal spike and had to wedge it on with a piece of Scotch tape.

Since my Dual 627Q TT has 9 bottom screws to undo I wanted a little better type of plastic. I bought a piece of Tygon plastic lawnmower fuel line at ACE hardware that is 1/16 inch ID. It fits snug and should last longer that the pen tube that may be polyethylene.
I did not have to melt the end to close it off, just left the end open and it works fine for $1.19 for a 1 foot ( a life time supply!)

Another free tube would be a piece of vinyl wire insultion that is 1/16 ID, probably around 18 ga.

A drop of contact or Pliobond glue could be used to hold the free white tip on if yours is a little to big.

I have a better use of $10 than to buy another white guide and I only paid $3 for the 627Q so it does not need $10 plastic tubes or tips.

Charlie

Part number #223777.

All-in-One Electronics in Toronto has them on back-order.

The Turntable Experts in Long Island has custom-made substitutes.

Fred

Simple. Same reason they used crummy grease - planned obsolescence. They were in the business of selling turntables.
:snickers: What was I thinking, right? :smoke: