80s Onkyo T-4040 issues

[faustulus]

I aquired a silver-faced Onkyo T-4040 recently that needed some love. Initially it would only pick up static, but I opened it up and cleaned some gunk off the board and it started to pick up stations, rather well in fact. However, the string dial was shifted about halfway up the range. That is it began to tune in the 88Mhz station about where the line would read 104 MHz. Additionally it the dial drum seemed to be slipping. The drum was slipping off capacitors it seemed. I pushed it back on and it seemed to work better. However now it only moves the dial about halfway across. There is a metal indent which prevents it from turning any further. I’m learning all this as I go and this is the first time I’ve dealt with this sort of tuner. I’ve attached pics to illustrate what I’m rambling on about.

Well I thought I was attaching pics, but that is obviously beyond my capabilities

 

[krautmaster]

I aquired a silver-faced Onkyo T-4040 recently that needed some love. Initially it would only pick up static, but I opened it up and cleaned some gunk off the board and it started to pick up stations, rather well in fact. However, the string dial was shifted about halfway up the range. That is it began to tune in the 88Mhz station about where the line would read 104 MHz. Additionally it the dial drum seemed to be slipping. The drum was slipping off capacitors it seemed. I pushed it back on and it seemed to work better. However now it only moves the dial about halfway across. There is a metal indent which prevents it from turning any further. I’m learning all this as I go and this is the first time I’ve dealt with this sort of tuner. I’ve attached pics to illustrate what I’m rambling on about.

Well I thought I was attaching pics, but that is obviously beyond my capabilities

It is not you, the entire site is having issues uploading files today... try again tomorrow !

 

[Punker X]

I aquired a silver-faced Onkyo T-4040 recently that needed some love. Initially it would only pick up static, but I opened it up and cleaned some gunk off the board and it started to pick up stations, rather well in fact. However, the string dial was shifted about halfway up the range. That is it began to tune in the 88Mhz station about where the line would read 104 MHz. Additionally it the dial drum seemed to be slipping. The drum was slipping off capacitors it seemed. I pushed it back on and it seemed to work better. However now it only moves the dial about halfway across. There is a metal indent which prevents it from turning any further. I’m learning all this as I go and this is the first time I’ve dealt with this sort of tuner. I’ve attached pics to illustrate what I’m rambling on about.

Well I thought I was attaching pics, but that is obviously beyond my capabilities

First thing you want to check to see if it's physical alignment. Run your pointer to one end of the dial and the the fins on the front end tuning capacitor should be fully closed on the other end they should be open.

 

[faustulus]

I don’t think they are. I looks like the little C-shaped gear has more travel but the notch is preventing the drum with the string wrapped around it from rotating further. When I first opened it up, the drum was crooked, it looked like it was falling off the spindle. I pushed it back on and the slipping stopped, and I was able to tune stations on the lower end of the spectrum. I have pictures to explain better but need to find a place to host them.

 

[krautmaster]

I have an older Onkyo T-9 tuner that an issue of the drum backing out of the tuning capacitor and getting all out of whack. There is an easy way to fix it by setting the tuning capacitor to a known strong station in the range of movement you currently have (or just setting the cap to 88 or 108) and loosen the screw holding the drum on its axle (don't touch the cap though!) Now rotate the drum until the pointer on the string aligns with the station then tighten it back down without moving the capacitor. Next, run it from one end to the other (88 to 108) to ensure you now have full range then go back and check to ensure the needle lines up with the station. You may have to move the drum a little to get it just right.
The drum kept trying to back out of the tuning cap so I used a 4" long piece of 1" X 4" hot glued to the bottom of the case to hold the drum in place (fits between the drum and the outer case)... If you could see the pics it would make total sense, but the site it TFU so you'll have to use your imagination.

 

[painttoad]

drum backing out of the tuning capacitor

since the first unit i saw this happen to, i have noticed it on quite a few units. i think they actually rely on the case to keep the drum from falling out.

bean counters.

 

[krautmaster]

since the first unit i saw this happen to, i have noticed it on quite a few units. i think they actually rely on the case to keep the drum from falling out.

bean counters.

There is still 3/4" of space between the drum and case so they try their best to fall off !

 

[faustulus]

Thanks for the help. Here’s the pictures I referenced earlier. The little tag I think is stopping the drum from fully rotating is highlighted. Also included are the first and final positions of the capacitor plates.

 

[Punker X]

With the fins full closed . Loosen the screw on the pulley wheel an move it so the pointer is on the right end of the scale. Usually an align mark on the scale above 108. Then you should get full travel from end to end. One you get that you can make minor adjustments to a known station.

 

[faustulus]

Thanks for everyone’s suggestions. With your help I partially removed the drum and got the gangs and indicator set. It’s pulling in the stations now. I’ll set it up proper once my rf generator arrives (wish me luck). Again, thank you all for your support.