haha I just moved and re set up all my equipment and when I powered on the Ampex 440, with no tape on it I found the capstan is turning. I'm pretty sure it never did that before and only engaged when the take up arm was up!!
I disconnected the wires on that before and the capstan kept moving. So
Is it a 440C with a servo motor? If so you can run the motor continuously by removing the relay on the servo chassis, usually mounted on the back of the machine.
Well, that depends which way the switch operates.
It's entirely possible that lifting the arm opens, or closes, the switch.
If it's the latter and the switch is failing to close, disconnecting it wouldn't prove anything.
Are the switch and it's connectors visible to you? If you can literally see a switch and a 2 connector plug, and you're sure there's nothing else to it, bridge the connections to simulate closing the switch.
That said, it may not be your problem but it's worth ruling out fully.
So logically, if it is the servo version, that relay could fail and cause the motor to run continuously...
Yup, was the switch after all. I just removed it and shook it around then when I saw it worked with a buzz test put it back and it's working again. Must have been something stuck in there. Thanks for the help!
Me too!I do love a happy ending!