Fault Diaganosis

Often when trying to get an old telephone to work again you will find 'somethings' not working correctly. The trick is to be methodical and go over everything you have done and double check, you'd be surprised how often a fault was because of something you've missed previously!

Components fail so if you're in doubt, try swapping out the unit you suspect is causing the trouble.

Dirt is another source of problems, check things like dial contacts, terminals and connections are clean.

HINTS TRICKS AND TIPS

No Dial Tone

• Ensure that dial is in the home position
• Check connections are good on handset cord and line cord
• Check that switch hooks are functioning mechanically
• On Bakelite and wooden phones ensure that the receiver has a diaphragm (metal plate) fitted under the earcap
• Check that the non-impulse contacts on the dial are apart when the dial is normal
• Listen on the receiver and with a screwdriver - short out transmitter
• Listen on the receiver and with a screwdriver - short out the impulse contacts on the back of the dial (these are normally closed)
• Double check wiring and metal straps
• With a screwdriver - short out the switch hook contacts one at a time (there are two on the Bakelite telephones - you cannot do this on a 746 telephone)

No Ring

• Check ringer connections (T4) – (T16)
• Ensure that bell fixings screws are all present and that bell mechanism is free and that the clapper arm can swing from side to side
• Ensure that bell gongs are not touching the bell clapper arm
• On 700 type telephones, metal swarf can sometimes be attracted to the magnet and get into the mechanism
• Bell ON/OFF switch operated
• Check there are no impediments to the ringer mechanism
• Check line cord wiring

Dailing (Rotary Only) Doesn't Work

• Check with your service provider that they support 'pulse dialling' – some of the newer 'digital' networks do not
• Check Dial Contacts- Clean or replace unit if necessary
• Check line cord wiring