How to fix common turntable problems

Turntable isn't working, or sounding quite right? Here are three common issues, and how to tackle them yourself.

• If you go to play a record on a turntable and the platter doesn't spin, it's probably due to a broken or stretched belt.
• The only way to tell for sure is to unplug the turntable and remove the dust cover and platter mat.
• Then, rotate the platter to access the pulley through the access hole and use your finger (wear gloves, if possible, to prevent unnecessary handling of sensitive parts) or a screwdriver to lift the belt off the motor pulley. This should allow you to remove the platter.
• Some turntable platters are also held in place by a tiny fastener, called a C-clip, on the spindle.
• If this is the case, insert a small flat-bladed screwdriver between the clip and the spindle, and slowly twist the screwdriver until the clip slides up. Hold one hand over the clip in case it pops off.
• Lift up the platter and remove the belt. Clean the platter rim and pulley with a chamois swab dipped in denatured alcohol.
• If the belt is just slightly loose, you may be able to restore it with some rubber revitalizer.
• If the belt is stretched out or broken, replace it with one that is exactly the same size (required to maintain the proper speed).
• If the belt appears to be okay, the problem may be caused by a frozen or faulty motor, a dirty idler tire or a defect in the speed controls.
• You would probably be better off having these professionally serviced rather than attempting to repair them yourself.

• Rumble is a very low frequency noise introduced to the audio signal by vibrations within the turntable. It's an intermittent, low-pitched booming sound.
• Don't confuse it with hum, which is constant, and a higher pitched sound that can be caused by a variety of reasons. All but the most expensive turntables suffer from some amount of rumble.
• You can minimize it by placing an isolation mat or rubber feet under your turntable and making sure that the turntable isn't too close to your speakers.
• Keeping the dust cover in the up position while playing a record can also reduce the amount of rumble picked up by the needle.
• Pinpointing the cause of hum can be difficult, however; it may be caused by a defective transformer anywhere in your system.
• Often, you can minimize hum, or eliminate it altogether, by using well-made, shielded cables to connect components to the receiver.

• Is your turntable suddenly putting out distorted "fuzzy" sound, or are the left and right channels fading in and out?
• Check the wire connectors on the cartridge. Many cartridges use small clip-on connectors that sometimes become loose.
• Remove the stylus and set it safely aside on a soft cloth, then loosen the locking band around the cartridge head shell, and remove it from the tone arm.
• Make a wiring diagram of how the wires connect to the cartridge. Gently remove each one, using a pair of tweezers or a pair of needle-nose pliers.
• Spray a little contact cleaner on a swab and use it to clean off the metal contacts on the cartridge before reattaching the connectors.
• Once they're attached, make sure they are on tight. Reinsert the needle and reassemble the tone arm.