Expert: Martin Meyer - 10/9/2008

Question
hi,bought a westminster chime mantel clock on ebay.paperwork with it does not tell you anything, wrong clock paperwork.it keeps good time no problem there,but there is no chime to it. the silent switch tried but still nothing any ideas please thanks

Answer
Hi George,

There may be an internal problem with the chime which will require the services of a professional clock repairer, but there are a few things you can try first.

First, make sure that all three winding shafts are wound all the way, as far as they will go. Next, look at the movement from the back. Check that there isn't a long, L-shaped steel lever pressing down onto the chime hammers. If there is, rotate it out of the way so that it does not hold the hammers down. There may also be one of these holding the hour strike hammers down, on the other side of the movement. If there is, rotate this one out of the way also. Finally, look to see that the chime hammers (the row of hammers on the left side of the movement, as you look at it from the back) are in a straight row. If one or more hammers are lifted out of line from the rest of the hammers, the chime mechanism is jammed. To correct this, reach in and raise the whole row of hammers back from from the chime rods at the same time. If the mechanism was jammed, you should see the pin barrel snap back into position as you do this. If none of these methods help, you should have the clock professionally serviced.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com