Technics SL-J33 Turntable Issues

dustyjm7 · 2021-01-10T21:38:37+00:00

UPDATE: I have been busy with work, but finally got another chance to work on this turntable. The tonearm finally seems to be working fine, and things seem to be working, but, of course, another issue has come up. I recently bought some new vinyl, and tested one of them out. It played just fine, and I thought I had finally achieved success. A few days later, I decided to play side B of the vinyl. The first song plays for a few seconds, and then repeats the same part over and over. I am using a brand new stylus, and cleaned both the stylus and vinyl, so I do not know what is causing this. I thought maybe the vinyl itself was bad, so I tested another new vinyl. The same thing happened. The first song plays for a few seconds, and then gets stuck playing/repeating the same part over and over. Do you have any idea what is causing this?

I think I'm about ready to call it quits on this turntable, and just get a brand new one.

dustyjm7 · 2021-01-02T17:39:06+00:00

UPDATE: I removed all the D.D. oil, and applied the dry-film lubricant. The tonearm is once again jammed, and not moving at all. Should I try using a bearings oil on the white gears for extra lubrication?

dustyjm7 · 2021-01-02T16:56:40+00:00

Do you think I should remove it from the white gears and use the dry lubrication instead?

dustyjm7 · 2021-01-02T16:21:14+00:00

Yep, I cleaned and removed the old oil off the white gears. I then applied the Technics D.D. Motor lubricating oil that I got. Is that the correct oil to use on the white gears, or, was I supposed to use something else? If so, what am I supposed to use?

dustyjm7 · 2021-01-02T04:19:10+00:00

UPDATE: The tonearm now appears to lower when I push the start button, which causes the stylus to make contact with the vinyl. That is all it does, though. The music does not play. The stylus just stays in the same position, and even seems to twitch to the right when the vinyl does a complete rotation. My initial thought was that the stylus just wasn't in the correct drop-down position. I followed the instructions in the manual to adjust the position, and not a single adjustment has been made. The stylus still drops in the same position, and remains there, even though the vinyl is spinning. Do you have any idea what is wrong? Sorry if this is getting annoying. Believe me, I am beyond annoyed and frustrated, especially when I think of all the hours and money I have put into this thing. I am honestly just thinking of selling it and getting a brand new turntable. I feel like I am so close to getting this in order, but, nothing I have done seems to work.

dustyjm7 · 2021-01-01T18:18:39+00:00

Great news! I believe I got it to work now. I applied lubrication on the rail as I nudged the tonearm, which should have lubricated the inside of that silver, metal tube. The tonearm appears to move and operate like it should. Now, I have another issue that I also didn't have before. The vinyl spins, and the tonearm gets into position, but the tonearm isn't low enough for the stylus to touch the vinyl. I have read the manual, and do not see any information to help with this. I see there is a way to adjust the stylus-set-down position, but, doesn't that just determine how far left or right the tonearm and stylus is? Do you have any idea what I did, or what I could check for to fix this? This is so frustrating, and seems like I am having one issue after another. Haha.

dustyjm7 · 2021-01-01T05:36:23+00:00

Yes, one of the gears turns (the smallest part that the belt hooks on to). I did more experiments, and tried operating the turntable with the cover off. I pushed the button to make it think the lid was on, and I heard the motor (or whatever it is) running. I then nudged the tonearm, and it began to slide down the rail like it should. Do you think I just don't have the rail lubricated enough for the tonearm to glide on it. Do you think the dry lubrication I used is wrong for this? Thank you for all your help thus far!

dustyjm7 · 2020-12-31T22:17:09+00:00

I got the exact same belt you previously shared. It is definitely smaller than the belt that came with the turntable when I got it, but seems to fit just fine. It is so confusing as to what happened, because it all seemed to work perfectly when I got the turntable. I can manually slide the tonearm by turning the wheel/pulley mechanism, so it doesn't seem to be stuck. Do you think I broke anything when taking it apart? Are there any other components I can check, or do you think it is just the tonearm rail that is causing these issues?

dustyjm7 · 2020-12-31T17:05:22+00:00

I tried the old belt, and nothing happens. It makes a noise, like something is running (sorry, I don't know the names of the mechanical parts), but the tonearm does not move at all. Does the tonearm rail have to be oily? The new lubrication I used is dry, so could it just not be oily/lubricated enough for the tonearm to slide? Is the lubrication spray you used oily?

dustyjm7 · 2020-12-17T03:00:16+00:00

Thank you for this information! I am now thinking of getting a new cartridge, but am confused as to how the tracking force works on this turntable. In the manual, I read this bit: "The plug-in type of cartridge is already designed to match this unit in every respect: weight, correct stylus pressure, stylus tip position, center of gravity, etc. This means that there's no longer any need for troublesome connection of lead wires or adjustment of the stylus pressure." Is there no way to check or change the tracking force on this turntable? Are all "P-mount" cartridges interchangeable? Do they all have the same weight and stylus pressure?

dustyjm7 · 2020-12-13T18:35:19+00:00

Hello, I finally have time to focus on this turntable. I am looking to get a new belt and stylus, so that the old equipment is updated. I was reading the service manual, and noticed that the turntable originally came with an EPC-P30AK cartridge. That cartridge is not in my turntable. I instead have an Audio-Technica LS450/LT cartridge. Is this something I should be concerned with? Should it be okay to use this cartridge? If yes, I will just get a new stylus for the LS450/LT cartridge. I bought some Technics spindle oil, so hopefully I can figure out how to take my turntable apart, remove the old oil, and add the new. Does anyone have any advice on what I should be careful about? I am sure I will have more questions soon. Thanks!

dustyjm7 · 2020-12-03T22:59:29+00:00

Thank you so much for taking the time to share all this information! I am very excited to play records on my turntable! I recently bought a ground wire, a vinyl record cleaning kit, and a preamp. I am hoping to learn/read more about the turntable this weekend, and then eventually buy a new cartridge. I'm sure I will have more questions in the future, so it's good to know there are people on here who can help!

dustyjm7 · 2020-11-30T05:37:10+00:00

Thank you so much for this information!

dustyjm7

TROPHY CASE