Won't Chime- Help

Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 10:08 pm     Post subject: Won't Chime- Help

I will try to explain what's going on clearly. Installed a 3 chime movement purchased from Klock-It about 6 months ago in a grandfather clock I built (Oak Tall Case Clock from New Yankee Workshop) Worked great no issues. Went on vacation and was gone longer than 8 days. Came home Monday, cracked the 3 weights up, set the time (this is where I think I screwed up) and to make a longer story short, it doesn't chime at least consistantly. I called Tech Support, and was told the following:

1-Rotate the minute hand until it chimes at and hour
(note: the only way I can get it to chime a the hour is to manually rotate the minute hand around a number of times before it chimes)
2)Set the time to whatever the clock thinks it is
3)Stop the clock or set the chime arm to silent
4) Rotate to correct hour, turn chimes on.

Ok, did all that. and still nothing. One curious thing of note is that the center weight is lower than the other 2. I have always seen them drop together. So that's it. Any thoughts?

Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 12:44 am     Post subject: Won't chime

It's normal for the center weight (time weight) to have dropped while the other two have not, since the chime and strike have not been working. FYI, the left weight is for the hour strike and the right weight is for the quarterly chime.
Part of the problem was created by roaring past the quarter hours and not allowing the clock to complete its chiming cycle at each quarter. If possible look at the chime hammers to see if any of them are partially lifted, (as if it was in the middle of a cycle and then stalled). Sometimes coaxing by putting a little extra pressure on the chime weight will start the clock chiming again. If possible observe the movement to see if there is anything preventing it from functioning properly.

The hour strike will not always release until the 4th quarter chime has sounded first.

A couple of things may have caused the problem in the first place.
1) The weights were cranked up too high and the chime or strike weight hook snagged on the movement shelf. Until it clears the shelf chimes will not sound or will be sluggish.
2) Was the clock movement ever lubricated before it was put into service after the case was built? Many times clock movements are shipped "dry" or with minimal lubrication from the factory. That initial lack of lubrication may have finally caused the clock not to chime properly. A dusty environment will have the same result.
There are of course, other causes, but without being able to examine the clock it's not always possible to diagnose the problem immediately.

Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 6:20 pm     Post subject: Won't chime-help

I have having a similar problem with a Sligh movement. the clock ran down and all the weights were cranked up. The time continues perfect but now the right and left weights will not drop. I can force a manual chime by tripping a lever. It will then chime 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 or hour followed by 8 hour chimes. I have tried stopping the clock, pulling the chime and hour both on silent and then resetting with no change. It seems like something in the movement is not tripping the chime. Any ideas.
Rick