Pioneer PL-530 turntable.....Speed fluctuation problem

[hokietiger]

Hello gang,...I recently purchased a used PIONEER PL-530 turntable. The problem is that on occasion, the speed will fluctuate dramatically. I tried the speed adjustment switch but this only helped in a minor fashion. The problem only happens rarely.....Is there a solution such as cleaning or what???...Other than this, the table functions normally.....Thanks!!!

[Whitneyville]

The speed adjustment potentiometer probably needs a good shot of De-Oxit spray in it. Remove the base, remove the control knob, spray the De-Oxit Control cleaner in it and rotate it back and forth many, many times. If that doesn't cure it, you make need to use some electric motor cleaner spray in the motor to clean the crud off the armature and the commutator (this can be disgusting). Third thing is to re-lube the main bearing. It may be gummed-up. Now many TT's recommend NOT disassembling a bearing that has been in service, especially if it's a roller element bearing. But you can flush it out with WD-40, or Naptha and re-lube it. I'll check the library for a service manual and give you more info, ASAP.

[Whitneyville]

OK, in the Library under your Pioneer PL-530 the is a Service Manual. On pages 28-30 there is an exhaustive diagnostic for speed control issues requiring only a DVOM to diagnose, but cleaning the speed adjustment pot is the first step always. Your motor can be totally disassembled. cleaned and re-lubricated, along with the main bearing, not even hard. Worst cases is you need to replace/repair the diode stack, the speed control board or the motor armature, but just cleaning is far more likely the problem. It's like when you car's engine is "missing", you rarely need a new engine, you just need a "tune-up".The De-Oxit spray is about $16, I think they sell motor cleaning spray for $8-12, so it's not a major expense. "Black Magic" Spindle bearing lube is about $10. Everyone needs De-Oxit control spray and TT spindle bearing lube in their "tool kit" anyway. Caig Chemicals sells the De-Oxit line. Good luck!

[hokietiger]

Ricky-pooh,....THANKS for the info!!!....I'll give your suggestions an orderly try and get back with you. The Pioneer PL-530 had been sitting in a climate controlled storage facility for quite some time so I'm sure your suggestions are the fix.

One more question:...I also have a YAMAHA YP-D4 turntable with a strobe lamp/electrical contact issue. When the tonearm is engaged to play the LP, the strobe light "flickers" for a short while then becomes "fully illuminated" as in normal operation. When the LP is playing normally, the light will rarely flicker again...Seems to me that a electrical contact issue is present...What do you think???....Thanks again!!!....Hokietiger

[Whitneyville]

Probably the neon "strobe lamp" ( likely an NE-2) is reaching the end of it's life. It or the "high brightness version" sell for .59-.99 cents from the electronic surplus houses, so if you can solder, replacement is the best move here. http://www.allelectronics.com has part #NE-210 3 for $1 complete with resistor, or NE-2E 10 for $2.75. These use a 100K ohm resistor. The high brightness NE-2H uses a 30K ohm dropping resistor. The NE2-P is another high brightness version. Look at the schematic at the resistor inline with the neon lamp if it's a 30K ohm, it is a high brightness light, or you can change it out easily.

[lancerika]

Hello,
I can't seem to find specific lubing information for the PL 530.
(motor and mechanisms)
I have both the operator's manual and service manual and don't see anything.
I recently purchased the turntable and want to get it functioning as efficiently as possible.
Any idea where I might find details?
Thanks,
Lance

[rd2164]

I SOLVED my speed flixuation problem yesterday! I have had my PL 530 since 1980. It has always been my favorite. About two years ago, the fluxuation began. First, I downloaded the service manual from our library. I then posted the problem on this site and came up with the standard "clean it with Deoxit" advise which I appreciated. I thought the problem was solved because the unit began to workbut it came back every so often. Then, three months ago, the problem became terminal. If you remove the platter, you will see the motor shaft not just vary in speed but will start and stop. I then removed the bottom cover and watched the tone arm mechanism working. This is not that easy because the you must block the unit up without the bottom cover to see the mechanism work. There was the problem! The Ming motor moves the mechanism that controls the tone arm movement and when the mechanism jammed, it caused the Direct Drive motor to start and stop! When I moved the mechanism past the jam, the DD motor began to work without fluxuation. I found a spring in the mechanism that bent and repaired it. I also drentched the tone arm mechanism with Deoxit as it was sticky in a spot I didn't lube. This was very tricky as the mechanism is the most complex part of the table. Timing the mechanism to start and stop correctly is also tricky. But through trial and error, I got my baby to work again at 10:30 last night after 6 hours on the bench!

[zzzrated]

Hello rd
Thanks for the tip. I have the same exact problem. I had replaced speed board and one pot. As per your advice, I removed the platter and the motor does indeed stop. ***Could you elaborate on exactly what / where is the Ming motor? Do you mean the TIMING motor? Thanks in advance.
zzz

[rd2164]

ZZZ

Check page 21 of the service manual download. The motor I speak of is the XM-037. Now that I look closer, the first letters of the name of the motor is on a fold in the middle of page 21. You are correct that this is a the Timing Motor but appears to say just ming in the service manual download. I do not think the Timing Motor is the problem but rather the mechanism that controls the on-off operation of the timing motor. When the timing motor is turned on while the drive motor is operating during record play, the plater stops and starts as we know. On page 28, Spring #B33-635 located on the Disc Plate #KWM-005 was badly bent when I first disassembled the mechanism. I straightened the spring to it's original shape as best I could, sprayed the mechanism with Deoxit and the unit now works. I'm nearly 100% sure the spring was the issue as it appears to over center Disc Plate #KWM-005 and moves it from one position to another during a play.

I hope that helps....

Randy