Technic's SL-1300 unable to adjust the set down point after cleaning

[Jon Frontino]

I need help! I just finished my second attempt at fixing my SL 1300. What I did was take it apart to lube and clean the inner working's and when I put it back together and tried to use the automatic feature, the tone arm moves about a 1/2", try's to set down and finish's back in the tone arm holder.

It doesn't matter how I adjust it, it does the same thing in either direction of the adjustment. I did change tone arms from another 1300 that was a slightly different but matched up nicely. I think I can use it manually but would love to have the auto function work. I compared it to the other 1300 I got the parts from and everything seems to be the same.

Any help would be great thank you

 

[TommyTomTom]

Sounds like there could be something wrong with the cam that cycles the auto mechanism. If the arm's not even setting down, that means that the tonearm lift ramp is not getting to the cueing bar or isn't moving away from it properly. Does the arm lift properly when the start lever is pulled?
I've attached a picture of a mechanism I serviced a while back in case it would be helpful to cross reference, but I would take a look at the cam first. If you took that off for cleaning, then it's possible you didn't match up the groove on the cam and the short post on the actuating plate. I've attached a picture of these parts too.

 

[Jon Frontino]

Thanks I will check to see if I got it in the slot. When I hit start it acts fairly normal, it lifts moves to the record about a 1/2 inch and then sets down on the cuing lever and slides back to the rest. The repeat knob turns to 1 and then back to 0 and before I took it apart for the second time it was moving to 5 and back. Are there different SL 1300's? Because I switched the tone arm from the parts TT I have but it was a little different. Someone

 

[TommyTomTom]

Thanks I will check to see if I got it in the slot. When I hit start it acts fairly normal, it lifts moves to the record about a 1/2 inch and then sets down on the cuing lever and slides back to the rest. The repeat knob turns to 1 and then back to 0 and before I took it apart for the second time it was moving to 5 and back. Are there different SL 1300's? Because I switched the tone arm from the parts TT I have but it was a little different. Someone

I've come across 3 variants of the original SL-1300 so far but the differences are quite subtle. The earliest ones from '74 are of the best quality. The only parts you have to be mindful of are the lid hinges as there are 2 distinctly different types.
The problems you're having with yours are quite odd. You must of put the mechanism back together incorrectly somehow.
With this sort of thing, you have to keep track of what part is in what place when what parameter is selected etc. so it functions properly when reassembled.
I have rebuilt many of these mechanisms, mostly for the original SL-1600. The auto mech in that is basically the same as in the 1300 yet totally different in terms of the way it's mounted and accessed. The construction of the SL-1300 makes getting to the automatic mechanism challenging especially considering that you have to desolder the tonearm wires, not to mention dealing with all the levers.
Something else to check for is damage to the gear that cycles the cam. This is attached to the bottom of the spindle.
With the information you've provided, I can't think of anything else to check at this time.
As it happens, I have an SL-1300 awaiting servicing right in front of me. I'll be getting to work on it in a few days and will document the process of rebuilding the automatic mechanism.

 

[Jon Frontino]

Thanks for your input TTT I took it apart again with no luck. But it was bothering me that the the 3 balancing screws on the tone arm were not sitting right and one of the side screws was all the way below the locking nut. I pulled them all out and one was shorter then the other so I put the long ones in the side and the shorter one in the top and it started working. I adjusted the height and in and out and it is working great. the only problem is that it wont cancel when it gets to the center of the album. The stop switch works but it wont do it automatically. It was suggested to me that super lube is a good lubricant instead of lithium grease, any thoughts? Thanks again for your help