Yamaha P-320 Repair Questions

[BMARX123]

So I have been using this Yamaha P-320 turntable for a few years now, It was originally my dad's and has a lot of sentimental value which is why I am not looking to just buy a new one, and am hoping to fix the issue I am having,

It seems that this turntable will no longer play once I press the play button, or move the arm over. However, I know it is not completely broken since, weirdly enough, if I press the play button and go about my business it has a tendency to just start working a few minutes later. For example this morning I pressed play and got frustrated that it wouldn't work, then went on the computer for a few minutes, and was startled when it suddenly started playing.

I do not know anything about older turntables or turntable repair (though I am interested in learning) and just don't know where to begin in diagnosing/fixing this issue. I would greatly appreciate any advice, and will answer any questions to hopefully get this thing working again.

 

[seely]

Not sure if this of help to you, similar symptoms, though: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/yamaha-p-320-help.835087/

 

[BMARX123]

Not sure if this of help to you, similar symptoms, though: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/yamaha-p-320-help.835087/

Yeah I have seen this before, but that thread has pretty much no solution unfortunately.

 

[avionic]

Get yourself a new belt. If the old one is stretched (most likely) it could be slipping and causing the automatic features to not engage as they should.

https://www.vinylengine.com/library/yamaha/p-320.shtml

 

[avionic]

https://www.lpgear.com/product/P320.html

 

[avionic]

BTW Welcome to AK BMARX

 

[BMARX123]

Get yourself a new belt. If the old one is stretched (most likely) it could be slipping and causing the automatic features to not engage as they should.

https://www.vinylengine.com/library/yamaha/p-320.shtml

I don't think that is the issue as the belt is brand new. I can see that the motor itself is not spinning when I move the tone arm, only in the weird case where I hit play and wait 5 minutes.

 

[avionic]

I don't think that is the issue as the belt is brand new. I can see that the motor itself is not spinning when I move the tone arm, only in the weird case where I hit play and wait 5 minutes.

Does the motor start spinning if you manually "make" the little snap switch?

 

[avionic]

I don't think that is the issue as the belt is brand new.

Would have been a nice little tidbit of info to put in your first post..

 

[avionic]

There is likely a dozen or more grease points on that mechanism. The old grease needs to be thoroughly cleaned off and new white lithium grease applied. The old grease gets hard from age.

 

[avionic]

The service manual I linked has pretty good flow charts for trouble shooting the various mechanical functions. Check it out..

 

[BMARX123]

Does the motor start spinning if you manually "make" the little snap switch?

Could you explain a little more what you mean by this?

 

[avionic]

There is a little "snap switch" on the " Full AUTO mechanism assembly" It looks something like this....

manually push the little actuator pin ( like the red one in the photo ) Yamaha calls it a micro switch in the manual. See diagram on page 6.

 

[avionic]

The mechanism is most likely slow and sluggish to operate due to hardened grease.

 

[avionic]

 

[seely]

For cleaning up sticky parts, I like CRC 2-26 multi lube, it's plastic and electronics safe. Especially good for freeing up sticky switches, and under $3/can https://www.homedepot.com/p/CRC-2-26-5-oz-Multi-Purpose-Lubricant-02004/100398344