Technics 1600 - tonearm goes to spindle

59volvo

59volvo

Super Member
Looking for advice on a new to me 1600 (original - not MKII). When starting up in auto the tonearm does not stop at the beginning of the record - it goes all the way to the spindle/center then drops down. When playing in manual mode using the cuing lever it picks up at the end of the record and returns - its working as a semi-auto, not the full auto. Any easy tips I should try to fix (I'm not an experience TT mechanic!) or should I take it to a turntable doctor?
 
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59volvo said:
Looking for advice on a new to me 1600 (original - not MKII). When starting up in auto the tonearm does not stop at the beginning of the record - it goes all the way to the spindle/center then drops down. When playing in manual mode using the cuing lever it picks up at the end of the record and returns - its working as a semi-auto, not the full auto. Any easy tips I should try to fix (I'm not an experience TT mechanic!) or should I take it to a turntable doctor?
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Go to the Vinylengine. register if you haven't. It's free. Then download the owner's manual for the SL-1600, also free, and go to page 5. There you will find the procedure for adjusting the start position. Hopefully, that's all that's necessary.

John
 
Along with the adjustment it may need to be cleaned of the old gunk (grease) and relubed. remove the old grease and apply a small amount of white lithium grease. You should be able to get to everything that needs grease fairly easily. Go thru the manual for dissassembly, take pictures at each step, clean and lube, then reverse the procedure (reverse the pictures).

Larry
 
Thanks, I'll give this a try when I get time. Do you recommend a starter cartridge for this and is there a sticky for the process of installing a new cart - Do you need to use a "protractor" to install a new cart (I've been using a p-mount up to now)?
 
No protractor necessary unless you've got a cartridge that you are particularly fussy with. TECHNIC's specified a distance of 52mm from the gasket of the pin assy to the stylus tip. Just make sure the cartridge is parallel with the headshell. Get a 2nd headshell (stanton makes a decent one (HS-4) with screw in weights. Adjust to spec, then install the complete headshell and balance it out. (See attachment)

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Technics 1600 automatic tonearm problem

59 Volvo.

I am curious if you ever sorted out your Technics 1600 tonearm problem? I recently acquired an original 1600 that does the exact thing. On auto, the arm goes all the way to the spindle then returns back to the arm rest. Semi and manual works just fine.

I greatly appreciate any tips or solutions.

Regards,
old2new
 
When I got my 1600 recently, it was the same way. When you change record sizes, does it make a difference? Mine didn't.

Remove the lid, platter (lift up. If it seems stuck to the spindle, knock the top of the spindle with the handle end of a screwdriver), and remove the headshell, locking down the arm. Turn the unit on it's back and remove the bottom screws. The great thing about the 1600 is that the housing comes off from the top! Carefully remove it around the arm. Take the under-the-platter cover off (4 screws).

I worked the record size dial to see what it affected. It was stuck on a vertical shaft. Sprayed silicone spray carefully on that shaft and finger loosened what was on it. As mentioned, take a long q-tip (I use ones for tape recorder head cleaning. Some Radio Shacks have them), remove old grease and put new lithium grease on those paths.

You can hand turn the spindle shaft and watch stuff work. Once everything's loose, you can set where the needle hits the record and lifts off by adjustment screws on top.
 
Forgot: you'll have to pull off the knobs, too. And when pulling the housing from the top, I think I had to remove the arm from the locked position. Just be careful. Very rewarding when it all works.

It's a great turntable.
 
I guess I will be cleaning my recent purchase. I tried adjusting like manual suggests but no solution. So I guess it's cleaning time. I'm so grateful to have this table. What a great sound.
 
I just picked up a Sl-1600 I and the same arm start problem. Imagine that. Got a new weekend project. Let you know how it turns out.
 
Don't try to adjust the arm set down setting, you will just throw it off. Clean the old lube off the mechanism, put some fresh lube on and it and it should work great. I've fixed lots of these. If the set down position isn't correct after that you can use the instructions in the manual to adjust it. If the arm still goes to the center after you have relubed the mech then you have missed something.
 
I've read both you have to and not have to remove the tone arm assembly. Which is it? Any good threads with pics?
 
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Don't be afraid in working on the SL-1600, I find most Technics (other than the MK2) quite easy to work on.
 
Binkman said:
greetings;

read down page one a bit and the 1600mk1 is noted with the problem. so many people say they fix these but provide no answers and I don't even own one. (have the mk2)

http://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=34199
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Thanks. I had already found that lever was very tight. I cave it a shot of WD-40 and let it set. Then I carefully moved it back and forth until it loosened up. I put everything back together and it now works correctly with all 3 record sizes. I still need to pull the arm assembly to add silicone damping fluid to the lift, as it drops a little too fast. I'll pull the lever then and give it a proper greasing. Is there anything to be mindful of pulling the arm assembly? I can just see a spring flying off or something breaking, can't help it.
 
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I can't help you on that as I've not worked on your model. I should assume the pics on the link should provide input?
 
It did not show how to remove the assy. There are 3 screws on top. But what is connected under it?
 
Well can't be that hazardous.. many DIY's have taken them off. 3 screws hold down the arm assembly. Lift carefully.

The pisser is until cheap cams came out nobody documented the procedures of what to expect. I doubt a spring will fly off etc. think just be patient. No rush on it. :D
 
Took a leap and removed the arm assy. No springs flew. Whew. Had to remove the upper lift arm. Still had to pull the lift mounting plate. 2 screws. Had to move one lever back to access the rear screw. Cleaned and added 300K fluid. Reassembled. Works great now. Full auto functions and cue damping. Also sounds great. :music: Also found this ob vinylengine. http://www.vinylengine.com/library/technics/service-bulletins.shtml
 

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I also found out something else. I had all the auto functions working and was putting it back together, testing to make sure everything was still working as I did each step. I placed the inner cover on and checked functions. The table would now not shut off and kept cycling. Darn. Took it apart several times and put it back, still did the same. Then I noticed that the center plate was looking like it was touching the levers under it. Still had not installed the 4 feet. Put on the feet and it let the innards drop on the suspension, letting the levers clear the plate. Then everything worked as it should. Adjusted the start drop and end lift. Very happy with it.
 
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