Expert: William J Perkins - 3/5/2008

Question
QUESTION: My cuckoo keeps perfect time. I replaced the bellows on both sides and it has a strong chirp. Was working fine then all of a sudden the music box does not cut off. I have to take the back off and move the fan leaver back to off position. Any help would be appreciated.
         Thanks Ed

ANSWER:          There is a whip wire that is supposed to engage a blade of the governor at the moment the release lever is disengaged from the music drum.  This wire has most likely become bent and no longer engages the blade.  You need to locate and adjust the whipping wire.  When properly adjusted this wire engages a blade of the cuckoo music box governor, moving out of the way when the last strike and cuckoo call has sounded thus releasing the music box to do its thing.  At completion of the melody, the shut off lever locks into the music drum to await the next time the release lever is pulled.  I hope this helps you.  Regards WJP

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The shut off leaver is what is not moving back into position to place the wire in position to stop the governor. I have to manually move the shut off leaver so the governor wire goes into place to stop the music box. It then will stay into position until the next hour of operation then play and not go back into the off position.
 Thanks, Ed

Answer
The shut off lever is controled by a small coil spring.  Perhaps it is gone or not properly engaged.  Another probability is the lever has become bent and no longer follows the correct path along the drum gear (wheel).  I hope this does it for you.  Regards WJP