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Fix for Grundig KS400

L

llpeters

New Member
Hello everyone!
I just picked up a Grundig KS400 console. AM/FM works but the turntable doesnt turn. I can't find anyone near me (Massachusetts) who will even look at it. Is it really junk at this point? I was so excited thinking it could be restored but now its looking unlikely. Any suggestions? I would even consider swapping out the original turntable for something new but no one can tell me what would fit or be compatible. : (
 
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What's you level of expertise?

I'm sure the turntable can be fixed. Nothing to them really but some gears and a motor. You can easily see from underneath if the motor is working. You can also pop that tiny cotter pin off that sits in the center of the spindle and lift the platter to see what's going on. Could be something simple like the motor being full of dust or just needing to be oiled? :dunno:

Voice of music dot com probably has everything you would need for a complete refurb.
 
No level of expertise here. I brought it to a general electrician repair guy who said he was able to lube it enough to get the motor moving manually and its getting power but then nothing. I figure I need to take it to someone who knows these old consoles to get any further.
 
What sort of turntable? Most consoles had record changers of some description, and every single changer I've fooled with has been full of dried up lubricant that made it not work. Usually its just a matter of deep cleaning and re-lubing them to make it go.
 
Its a Garrard but cant remember what model. The electrician who has is now says that he has completely cleaned and lubed it and can turn it manually but it wont turn on its own.
 
If the motor runs and it won't go on it's own even after a clean and lube of the entire mechanism, either the idler wheel is really bad, or there is something contaminating the wheel and/or the inside of the rim where it drives. The motor setup in these is pretty simple. The motor is fixed in position and a small rubber wheel gets moved into position to sit between the inside of the platter and the motor. If that tire is hard or slippery it won't drive. Basically like having bad tires on your car in the rain. the inside of the platter, the wheel, and the motor spindle should be cleaned with alcohol. If the tire is hard or lumpy, chucking it in a drill and sanding the outside until the lumps or the shiny hard "skin" is gone will help too. Worst case it might need a new one entirely but often just sanding them will get results.

the wheel does need to be able to move though, if the pivot the wheel sits on is stuck it won't move into position all the way.

If you can pull the platter off the machine and get us some pics of the inside that would probably be a help here.
 
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/grundig_ks400_1.html

A little info about the console in the link above. The audio amplifier is a little single ended stereo, using one ECL86 per channel. Grundig made good quality stuff back then and the speakers in the console are likely to be good too.

If you ID the turntable model and post a repair query in the turntable section you’ll get more detailed help there. There may well be threads on servicing that model.

According to the link above this link will take you to the service manual for the turntable. (Philips AG 1025)
https://elektrotanya.com/philips_ag1025_stereo_record_player_usr_sm.pdf/download.html
 
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See if anyone in your area repairs antique radios. An electrician is really the wrong skill set for this job. An antique radio club or amateur radio club would be a good starting point to try and find a tech.

Try this: http://www.nearc.net
 
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