Expert: Martin Meyer - 2/23/2008

Question
If there is a loose connection between the battery source and the clock mechanism for a quartz clock, can this be fixed generally or replaced to improve the conntection?  I have my mother's quartz anniversary clock that may have this problem and would like to know what options there are for repair.  Thanks very much.

Answer
Hi Leigh,
    Quartz clocks usually have a clip battery connection that goes directly into the clock mechanism. To access the connection of this clip to the movement would require disassembling the entire movement. The case of the movement is usually either glued or screwed together. If you take the front and back plates of the movement case apart, the entire movement, gears and all, will be exposed. This often (or usually) results in the gears falling out of alignment with the pivots which are molded into the back plate of the case. It can be extremely difficult getting these gears realigned and the case reassembled.
    These movements are not designed to be repaired. Unless you can access the point of the bad connection without disassembling the case, then resolder the connection, the chances are slim that it can be repaired.