Technics Turntable Auto-Return Problem - Please Help !

[methoddan]

Hi,
I just bought a second-hand Technics SL-BD22 semi-automatic turntable. It plays fine, sound quality is great, but I'm having a *really* annoying problem....
The auto-return happens way too soon. I haven't actually managed to lsiten to an entire song yet, as it always cuts out about 3/4 through... Maybe this has something to do with the fact that I like listening to drum'n'bass, which usually has long 6-7 minute songs, maybe the turntable is set to return after 5 because most songs aren't that long, but then, that wouldn't make sense if I was listening to a full album; and a 7" would cut out only halfway through...
Now, I might have only just gotten a turntable, but I'm not *that* stupid - I *did* read the instruction manual, and there's a little screw for adjusting the auto-return. One way makes it cut out even sooner, the other way makes it cut out later. I turned it all the way both sides (just to see) and in both cases it still cuts out way too soon...
this is extremely annoying, as I have only just gotten my turntable and was hoping to listen to all my records, but they all cut out half way... is there any way to manually adjust the auto-return so it cuts out later; or even better - to disable it, making it a sort-of manual turntable ?
Thanks a lot, I really appreciate all and any help I can get here :)
Dan
P.S. if nothing else works, I doubt very luch it's a good idea, but how about bending the tonearm ? I don't like that idea at all, and I don't want to break anything but I'm wondering if it's the only way...

[Bernie]

I've never dealt with this issue, but I would try removing the stop screw entirely and see what that does. Also, as on a bicycle derailer, you may want to check for a second adjustment screw and fiddle with that. Good luck.

[methoddan]

I've never dealt with this issue, but I would try removing the stop screw entirely and see what that does. Also, as on a bicycle derailer, you may want to check for a second adjustment screw and fiddle with that. Good luck.

Hmmm I suppose this would mean opening the turntable up ?

I'm not sure how I'd go aroudn removi,ng the screw... I noticed once you move the arm (when it's playing) the screw dissapears from the hole, and comes back when the arm is back at rest.
Obviosuly I can guess this means it's attached to the arm, but it looks like some cog system underneath... I don't want to mess anything up, but is this a case of re-aligning cogs or something so it stops at a later point ?

Dan

[methoddan]

OK, just to confirm one thing, if nothing else...

I just did a test, out of curioisity, and played the same vinyl twice.

the first time, the adjustment screw was set to maximum (auto-stop later)
the second time, it was set to minimum (auto-stop earlier)

It stopped at the same time. I suppose this means the auto-return adjuster doesn't work. Fair enough if you play 3 minute songs but if you play 7 minute songs like me, that's very annoying.

Is this a case of something gotten loose on the inside, that I could fix ?

Dan

[Bernie]

Hmmm I suppose this would mean opening the turntable up ?

I'm not sure how I'd go aroudn removi,ng the screw... I noticed once you move the arm (when it's playing) the screw dissapears from the hole, and comes back when the arm is back at rest.
Obviosuly I can guess this means it's attached to the arm, but it looks like some cog system underneath... I don't want to mess anything up, but is this a case of re-aligning cogs or something so it stops at a later point ?

Dan

Without seeing it, I can't be sure, but I tend to think it is just a simple alignment or as you say, re-alignment. I love tinkering with things so I would try carefully removing whatever is in the way, but that's me :-) Otherwise just take it into an electronics repair shop and have them do it.

[methoddan]

Without seeing it, I can't be sure, but I tend to think it is just a simple alignment or as you say, re-alignment. I love tinkering with things so I would try carefully removing whatever is in the way, but that's me :-) Otherwise just take it into an electronics repair shop and have them do it.

Shame there's no easy "on/off" switch for the auto-stop....

I still find it weird that it stops at the same point when it's set to minimum and maximum, but at least that rpoves there's something wrong...

Where I live in the middle of the french countryside, there aren't any vinyl specialists nearby, so I think I'll have to very carefully take it apart and have a look; I just hope nothing goes wrong...

Dan

[methoddan]

Success !!!!

It's done - all that was needed was for a part to be removed from the auto-stop mechanism.

I didn't even need to open up the table - I removed the platter and mat because I was going to open it; but then underneath where the platter was I could see the whole mechanism, and work it out from there.

I needed to remove one thin metal rod joining the arm to a plastic 'trigger' on the inside; now it plays record until the end; and is sort-of still semi-automatic as the 'stop' button still works, and it brings the arm back to the beginning, all I need to do is press the button when the song's over - a million times less annoying than having it cut out halfway through !

Thanks again !!!

Dan