Dual 1019 giving me trouble.

[jason32835]

Hi fellas,

Well I picked up a Dual 1019 on Craigslist for $60 this weekend and I've been trying to get it working. I've had it apart 10 times now and I think it gets a little worse each time.

Anyway, my most serious problem now is that I have a speed wobble, that is the audio sounds OK, but piano or strumming guitars sound terrible, they seem to be speeding up and slowing down. I honestly don't know if the problem is new or has existed the whole time.

So far in my attempt to get it working I have taken apart the power switch and cleaned the contacts, I've cleaned out all the old grease and re-greased with white lithium grease, and I've used contact cleaner on various contact points.

Do I need to open up the motor and lubricate it? Is that the most likely cause of my worble?

Thanks for any help, this forum is incredible.

[Alec124c41]

Check the idler wheel. It must be perfectly round and smooth. Clean it, the inside of the platter rim, and the motor spindle.

Cheers,
Alec

[gg383]

Jason, I have to give you congratulations, I have 10 Duals and I have most of the belt drives running. I'm saving the idler units for the long cold winter!! Wish I was younger and had more ambition!! Glenn.

[jason32835]

Alec,

Thanks a bunch for the response. I have cleaned the inside of the platter rim and motor spindle with isopropyl alcohol. I also "ruffed up" the idler wheel as per the instructions on this page: http://dual-reference.com/Troubles/speedcontrol.htm

I am still having the worbel effect, just as described on that same dual-reference page.

Two things that have noticed. The with the platter off, the idler wheel does not engage with the motor spindle in 16, 33, or 45 speeds. You have to push it a bit to get it to engage. Should it be?

In 78 speed it will engage and it makes a bit of a squeaking sound and seems to wobble a bit.

I did apply a small bit of oil to the screw holding the idler wheel on as I noticed that was a lube point in the manual. This helped the squeak a bit, but still getting the worbel, especially with piano (sounds like a cat dying).

My next idea is to take apart the motor, but I hate to do it as it seems like a nightmare.

Also, could the sound be coming from a bad needle? I noticed my needle was bent slightly to one side and I had to straighten it a bit. Maybe the motor is fine and I need a new needle?

Glenn,

Thank you, I hope I haven't been off more then I can chew!

[LPfan]

The idler should engage the motor spindle. If you take apart the motor, put a line on both the halves with a marker so they can be aligned before reassembly.

Regards,

LPfan

[jason32835]

Hi LPfan,

OK, so I have a problem with the adjustment of the idler. With the platter off, put into manual mode the platter moves towards the motor spindle but it does not touch it. Strangely, when I put the platter back on, the platter will spin.

I figure I need to check the spring that controls that action, are there any other ways to adjust this action?

[Hugues TR4]

Hi Glenn,

Still using my old 1019 every day and refurbished it as well as another couple for friends.
Trying to answer to your questions:
1. Think the idler wheel could get partly blocked by dried old lube: clean thoroughly the whole idler assy with Q-tip and isopropanol or WD40. Be careful not yo lose the little plastic washer and re-oil with full synthetic 5W30 motor oil (I use a water colour brush to apply one drop at the time). With platter on, it will be pushed in its place by the inner rim anyway, that's normal.
2. Sounds like you should dismantle and clean/re-lube the motor (type "Dual 1019 motor dismantling" in the search box on top right). Not too difficult a job if you do it carefully, and so rewarding when fixed!
3. Make sure the idler wheel is evenly round, without any harder point in the rubber and well ruffed up: use a small piece of #500 sand paper and press it on the rubber for a minute while running the motor.

Hope this will help!

Cheers,

Hugh.


.

[jason32835]

Just want to thank everyone for the posts today, I'll give these all a try soon and report back.

[jason32835]

It is amazing what a good night sleep can do. I came home from work, took off the plater and calmly examined the idler wheel assembly. Sure enough it was wobbly, and simply not screwed all the down! Two seconds with a screwdriver and the worble was gone!

I want to thank everyone again for the help. I am seriously in love with this turntable and so very pleased to have stumbled across it!

OK.. so now I do have an issue with "auto" as it does the typical starts, moves to the record and then turns off. I have done just about everything I can think of to correct the issue to no avail.

I will be listening in manual mode with a giant smile on face for the time being.

One last thing.. am I the only one who thinks Alec's avatar is a wonderfully soothing sight to behold after a tough night of dual restoration?? It is like he saying.. "you can do it man"

[Hugues TR4]

Hi Jason,

The "return too soon" symptom is described in the service manual on page 13.
I know it is a real pain to adjust (it goes by millimeters), but it is possible to acheive it with a lot of patience and determination.
A tip: mark the original position of any adjustment before you attempt to change it, at least you will have a departure point if you have to make it a new try.
That screw 175 needs only a tiny change in position to act on the latch 179.
Also, do not damage the little spring (178) which will be in your way when tightening the screw 175 (you will have to take it off every trial).

Hope this will help you a bit further!

Cheers,

Hugh.

[jason32835]

Hi Hugh,

Well I have been at this all day and I have narrowed down the problem to two major issues.

When I put the turntable into start mode it will still shut off shortly after the needle reaches the record. However, if I have the unit propped up on tin cans I can stick my finger in and gently nudge the latch into position properly and it will stay powered on. So, it seems that if I played with it more I should be able to get that part working.

However, I seem to have a more serious issue as well. When the player is put into Stop mode, the needle will raise move to the home position and promptly turn off power before the needle moves to the resting position. After staring into the bottom of the unit all day with the service manual, I am concerned that the shut-off cycle is out of wack, I guess that would be parts 131, 133 are not working properly. I hope I didn't rotate the plater in the wrong direction at some point and permanently hose something up!

[jason32835]

Thought you guys might appreciate this photo.. my helpers (mostly moral support)

[gg383]

Jason, Have you tried locking the tonearm down and then starting the unit with the start lever, resets the unit after transport, I've seen this in many manuals, may help!! Cute kids, looks like they can't wait to play a lil vinyl themselves!!! Glenn.

[jason32835]

Hi Glenn,

Yeah, I've tried that with no change. I'm operating in manual mode right now and after the record ends, the tonearm lifts and returns to home position but the unit powers off before it drops. If I hold the manual switch over for a few seconds it drops correctly.

I'm just glad I can use it in manual mode at this point, I don't really mind.