IBM Selectric II Typewriter Problem

Ok, so here's the problem.

About a week ago, I was cleaning the house when I found this old typewriter. It was my mothers that she had for about 30 plus years, then she gave it to me. I plugged it in to see if the motor still worked (it does) but the problem is that when I push just one key, then the machine starts to go berserk and type by itself at highspeed. Any body have any ideas what's going on, and if I can fix it without going to a repair shop?

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• IBM
• Selectric
• II
• Typewriter
• broken
• problem
• stuck
• keys
• repair
• apart

[TheOmnipresent12]

Sadly, one of the (only) real problems with older mechanical typewriters is that the old grease & oil goes 'gummy' over time. With these machine there are many... & I mean MANY parts that NEED to move VERY quickly/easily. Much can be done simply by opening the case & spraying WD-40 around the workings of the machine & even more as many of the mechanisms you have the patience to locate & drop the WD40 onto. Leave the machine then try to start. You 'might' get lucky. Repeat over & over & over.....

[selectricking]

the cover under the carrier is your problem. push down on them with a driver and let the carrier move to the right and then bow the cover and remove. I was an ibm tech for 15 years in vancouver. you need a cycal wheel to work on the machine and I think I have the only one left in the world. good luck with your new toy. If you can fix that machine you can fix any thing

[Grievousnz]

Theres a simple fix for this problem, lift the typewriter high above your head, then let your arms move in a fast downward swinging motion. Release the typewriter and watch it fall into a million bits. You now have two choices,1) pick all the peices up and put them all back together, 2) go to local electronics store and buy a PC and printer...!!!

[Rickarlss]

I have a Selectric III with same or similar problem. It keeps typing like yours in the same place, and the carriage will not move even if I push it. It does move on TAB and RETURN and BACKSPACE. The spacebar does not start the problem and it does not seem to be working at all. I cannot see anything "broken", and am now trying to figure out how the carriage advances.

[2Li66ies]

The spacebar cam is repeating.This could be caused by a variety of reasons. the most common i remember is the plastic gear on the filter shaft breaks so the machine cannot relatch the cycle clutch which allows more than one function, ie spacebar and print to run concurrently.

The gear is on the left side of the machine. there is the chrome shaft which runs through the carrier, below this is a metal gear with two pinions.One drives the filter shaft (front) and the cycle shaft (rear). 

[fleetcmd]

If you are lucky, the keys just simply don't release properly or some foreign material keeps it running and your typewriter only needs a cleaning and oiling. But, if you manage to fix this, still, that strong tac-tac doesn't sound good...