Expert: William J Perkins - 12/7/2008

Question
QUESTION: We have a Tempus Fugit grandfather clock made in West Germany. It has 3 chimes, Westminister, whitt, winchester. Question is can you stop it chiming every 15 minutes, and have it ring only on the top of the hour.

ANSWER: There is a lever that will shut off the chime.  Open the back of your clock, write down and send me all the information stamped on the clock movement's brass backplate.  This will identify the movement to me, thus, allowing me to respond to your inquiry.

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QUESTION: I was finally able to read the information at the brass backplate. From left to right reading from the back JW32/8A (written inverted) then numbers 709342 and UW32/8A.
There is a lever on the left side in mid position, it feels that it will move down. Is this the lever you are talking about.

Answer
Unfortunately my remaining reference materials do not cover the numbers you provided.  I suspect it is a Hienhz Jauche in which case the lever you noted is what you need to address.  I will want you to look into the back of the clock again.  You will see a large cylinder with a bunch of pins protruding from it.  This is the clocks music drum.  When you locate this drum move the lever back and forth.  It should move the music drum.  If it does not the lever is disconected and needs to be attached.  When the lever is doing its job, by trial and error, you will find the proper location to cause the drum to turn without playing a melody.  If this does not work for you bend back all the hammers not associted with the hourly time strike so those hammers do not contact the melody rods.  Hopefully you can get your selctor lever to do its job.  Regards WJP