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Technics SL-M2 Turntable - Autolift & Pitch Control Help?

JesseS

New Member
Hellos

I have a Technics SL-M2, running a Grado Black cartridge and stylus, and sounding marvelous.

However, the autolift function is not working at the end of records, or at all. (The cue function from the button is fine, no problems.) I downloaded the service manual and tried adjusting the "screw" beneath the tone arm, which moves a slit in a mechanism that interrupts an optic sensor - no results. My expert helper was unable to test the "auto stop and lift-up failure" as the manual directs, getting nothing from pin 1 at IC307. We did get the cue to rise intermittently by tweaking the voltage regulator on the small "sensor circuit board" beneath the tone arm assembly, but nothing conclusive to indicate a cause for the mechanism to not be working on its own, and there is no mention of that VR in the manual. Does something go bad on the circuit sensor board itself? Has anyone tried modifying the window on the adjustable plate that intercepts the sensor? Is this circuit sensor board available anywhere for replacement? Is there a more obvious issue here, such as something that becomes dirty or fouled over time? I didn't notice anything odd under the plinth...

Likewise, the speed is not set properly when the pitch control slider is at 0, so I keep the "reset" button pressed or have to move the slider about 1 increment to the left to set the strobe. We did follow the manual's procedure with a frequency counter to adjust VR301 to the proper 262.075-262.085 k Hz, and things lined-up well for a moment, but by the time I got the deck back home, the slider center position was again off from the reset by about 1 increment to the left of center.

I'm not qualified to work on the turntable, but I hope someone has some advice before I bring it to another shop and spend $$$.
 
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Seeing as you're still active, did you ever figure this out? The autolift issue seems to be pretty common for the M1/M2 and I haven't found any solutions to fix it.
 
Hello MrNegative. I have not yet figured out the fix. Another member bwv1 asked recently. He got the auto lift to work by spraying some DeOxit on the voltage regulator pot on the small tone arm control board. I reopened my turntable and went at it with high hopes, sprayed the pot, wiggled in both directions, tried turning the adjustment screw under the rubber plug behind the tone arm in both directions again - no luck. Again, I assume something has died or aged out of spec on the board, or maybe even that the optical sensor is unhappy. If you happen to find a fix, please let us know here!
 
Hello MrNegative. I have not yet figured out the fix. Another member bwv1 asked recently. He got the auto lift to work by spraying some DeOxit on the voltage regulator pot on the small tone arm control board. I reopened my turntable and went at it with high hopes, sprayed the pot, wiggled in both directions, tried turning the adjustment screw under the rubber plug behind the tone arm in both directions again - no luck. Again, I assume something has died or aged out of spec on the board, or maybe even that the optical sensor is unhappy. If you happen to find a fix, please let us know here!
Well, I've since found that if I wiggle the tonearm above the runout groove, the M2 will auto stop and auto lift... Let me know if this works for you too. Regardless, it still doesn't auto stop in its normal operation.
 
Perhaps adjusting the voltage regulator pot would do the trick? Unfortunately I don't have a "1mm pitch record" on hand to do the Technics-recommended adjustment method.
@bwv1 do you happen to have any insights as to what exactly the VR601 pot does?
 
Well, I've since found that if I wiggle the tonearm above the runout groove, the M2 will auto stop and auto lift... Let me know if this works for you too. Regardless, it still doesn't auto stop in its normal operation.
I have had this problem on an SL-M2. I followed the instructions in the service manual that said:
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It is actually not a screw but a piece of metal with a V hole where a screwdriver fits in.
 
Hello everyone,

I also had problem with tonearm lift at end of record. When I tried to adjust the screw which located at the back of tonearm base that didn't work. So, I decided to clean with contact cleaner the voltage regulator pot on the small tonearm electronics board. Turn the voltage regulator after back and forth and after that tonearm started to rise at end of record and the platter stops
 
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