Expert: Martin Meyer - 11/27/2009

Question
I have a battery operated Howard Miller desk top pendulum clock that stopped swinging. The clock runs fine tho. Put in new batteries just in case, still not swinging. Only a year old, any suggestions? Thanks!

Answer
Hi Beverly,

On quartz movements, the pendulum is independent of the time keeping. You should look at the movement from the back and try to see if the pendulum is hitting against anything, and if it swings very freely when you start it swinging manually. If it does not swing freely, look at its top end and try to determine if it may have come loose from its connection to the movement, which is usually a very simply two-pin snap-on kind of arrangement.

Quartz movements are not repairable, so if none of the above checks help, you will have to replace the movement. These movements are usually not difficult to replace, as long as you can get to the hands to remove them. You may be able to get the movement from Howard Miller. If not, clock parts suppliers, like Timesavers (www.timesavers.com), Merritts Antiques (www.merritts.com) or Empire Clock (www.empireclock.com) have a wide selection of quartz movements, and you can probably find one that fits your clock.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com