sundance-communications.com/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems Panasonic Telephones & Systems KX-T61610-3

Symptoms:
Extensions ring 3 short rings, followed by short pause, then 3 short rings again. This cycle continues on some (not all)extensions. Other extensions ring once. I don't know why only particular extensions are affected. No dial tone on any extension. Also, it seems like the affected extensions are being "polled", that is, the unit is sequencially ringing the extensions. At the console, I can hear a distinct, continuous clinking sound, cycling at about 1 second.

Solutions tried:
Cycle power off for 5 minutes, activate reset button.

Any ideas on problem or troubleshooting? Thanks

My knee-jerk answer is that the system is a decade old, KXTA824 time.
Seriously, sounds like default is not going to do you any good. But, that's what I would try.

Thanks for the quick response. I tend to agree with you. I hate to lose 10 years of programming and troubleshooting knowledge on old unit. I have had a lot of trouble with it (mainly electrical storm related), but always able to solve problem. I get the KXTA824. I really need 9 lines, but will sacrifice one line due to the out of the box 8 lines. Interestingly, the 3x8 or 0x8 expansion is as much as the complete unit!
Thanks again, you guys are great with the support,
Mark

replace it with a refurbed KX-T61610-3 since your comfortable with that platform

Like Skip says but go with a KX-T123211 then you have room for your 9 lines and the programming is nearly the same as the 616. The Panasonics were tough but its close to 3 decades old. It maybe time to look for a new system with features like call id, auto attendant, voice mail, sip, and many more. Most the new stuff can be programmed with a PC and are much easier to learn then in the past.

Merritt,

We don't ever recommend a 123211. The switching power supply is such that you could turn it off and it would never come back up again :-)

Besides, that system has to be close to 15 years discontinued! Except for the limitations, I'd go with the TA-824. It's also the most closely cable compatible with a 61610.

Carl

Unplug all of the lines and extensions. Make sure that you aren't dealing with a cabling issue. Plug phone directly into KSU and test...

I'm in agreement about disconnecting all of the wiring first. A shorted/flaky data pair on just one phone can cause all kinds of strangeness on up to eight phones at a time on that system. Be sure that after you disconnect everything, you wait at least twenty minutes or so before connecting phones to the KSU directly. A short causes something to heat up in the KSU that often needs to cool off before the ports start working properly again.

The triple ring scenario that you mentioned sounds like there is some kind of fault with the door box, its wiring or adapter (if present, of course).

Does it have a door box?? 3 short rings is notification from the door box. Unplug door box module if so equipped.

You guys may be on to something with the doorbell module. It is a part of the unit, but never used. I'll disconnect first thing in the morning and see if that clears system. If not, on to the cabling check. Thanks for all the help/suggestions.
Mark