Expert: Martin Meyer - 7/22/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello Martin,
My Howard Miller Norman Wall Clock is about 20 yrs old and it's stopped chiming.  I went on line and printed the instructions but the picture doesn't look like mine.  It says it's a Hermle Quartz 2214 but when I brought that picture up it didn't look anything like the one I have.  I've got a button with a sun and half moon and another half moon with a slash through it.  Is there an earlier picture that would match and give me instructions?  Also, it takes 2 C batteries and if I take the one on the right out the clock still ticks but if I take the left one out it doesn't.  I switched them so I know both batteries are good.  Does this mean that the battery contact on the right isn't working?  Please help.  I love this clock.  It was a gift to me 20 years ago and I miss the chime.  It's still beautiful and keeps perfect time.
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Thank you

ANSWER: Hi Laura,

First, quartz movements are not designed to be repaired so, if you have made sure that you have two fresh batteries, installed in the correct directions, and your clock still doesn't work properly, there is nothing you can do but replace the entire movement.

The only instructions I have are for the 2214, and because your clock is 20 years old, it would not have that movement. You will probably not be able to find instructions for this older movement, especially if Howard Miller Company does not have them.

Your trying the batteries and hearing the clock tick is not a sufficient test that the batteries are good. You should try two new alkaline batteries, not rechargeable or "heavy duty" carbon-zinc batteries. Also, the batteries have different functions, so there is no indication that the battery contact is defective.

Replacing the movement is not too difficult, and you may be able to purchase a 2214 movement and install it in your clock yourself. First, you would need to check that the hole for the hand shaft in your clock is large enough, as the 2214 requires a slightly larger hole than many other movements. Next, you must get a movement with the same hand shaft length as your old movement. The space in your clock for the movement must be large enough to accommodate the 2214 movement. Finally, your original hands may or may not fit the new movement, but there are many replacement hands available. The movement is mounted by a single nut on the hand shaft, and sometimes some double-sided tape.  If all this sounds like more than you would like to do, you can have a professional clock repairer replace the movement for you.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com

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QUESTION: Hi Martin,
Thank you for your quick response.  I'm going to replace the batteries again when I get home today and I hope that's all I need to do.  Over time it seems that the chime just kept getting fainter until it finally stopped or got so low I could barely hear it.  I'm a little confused about what you said as far as it being too old to have the 2214 movement.  The number 2214 is printed right on the movement but, there again, it doesn't look the same.  Go figure!

Answer
Hi again Laura,

There may be an older movement which Hermle called the 2214, and with which I am not familiar. I have instructions for the only 2214 which I know of, but they will probably be the same as the ones you already got. If you would like those instructions anyway, I can provide them via my website, http://www.clockmasteronline.com