Toshiba SA-725 tuning meters unresponsive

[Sternwheeler]

Hello everyone. My sister found an SA-725 receiver than is in wonderful condition! All inputs work, no knobs crackle, phono EQ is good, lamps work - everything but the tuning meters. I opened her up and the inside was clean. I mean very clean. I tried the tricks I'd read elsewhere: loosen screws slightly, a drop of oil, working the needles back and forth. There was absolutely no effect as I tuned in and out of stations, so I'm perplexed. If there was a lack of signal, it seems the meters would just return to "home" and stay there. I can solder and desolder, but I'm no tech. Could anyone point me in the right direction?

Many thanks.

Tracy

 

[avionic]

Are you using any kind of and external antenna?

 

[Watthour]

If you have an ohmmeter available, and with the unit powered off, check the resistance of the meter movement on a moderate resistance scale (about 0-2KΩ). There is no need to disconnect any wiring to perform the check. When connecting the ohmmeter, observe the meter movement. If the meter tries to move backward, reverse the test leads. If the meter moves, it is probably mechanically intact.

 

[Sternwheeler]

Thank you, avionic and Watthour,

avionic, I have been using a makeshift affair that was able to tune one good station. I live in the middle of nowhere. I can try again tomorrow with a proper FM antenna. However, the meters don’t even move when I turn off the power, so I don’t know if it is related.

Watthour, I will give that a try once I get home tomorrow.

Thanks, guys!

 

[Sternwheeler]

Hey guys, nothing moves at all under either plan. Nudge needles by hand and they stay where you put them.

 

[Sternwheeler]

Since these are tuning meters and not VU meters, I wonder if they are configured for a simple DC voltage.