sundance-communications.com/forum Forums Other TDM Phone Systems Antique Telephones WE 2554 touchtone keypad

Got an old 2554 on Saturday, the keypad is no good.
The existing one is 8 wires, the replacement (electronic) I have here is only 6 wires. Will this work or do I need to find a new old stock part?

Thanks in advance.

Is the phone a Western Electric? Do the colors match (at least the 6 that you have)?

Most WE TT phones need a minimum of 8 leads. I can't speak to other brands, with newer electronic dials.

What's wrong with the original dial? Usually, an old phone man (if you happen to know one) can repair them.

Jeff, I may have a dial for you. Can't check until the week end. I'll let you know.
Ken

Yes, the phone is a Western Electric, 1978 vintage. The colors match, but the new dial is missing white/blue and white wires.

The keys on the right most side do not work.
I accidentally called 911 when trying to call time and weather (931-1212)

Have you cleaned the contacts? Other than the coil being loose that's usually about all that's wrong with them.

Jeff, the following is the method for 35-type dials.

Take a clean piece of good quality bond paper, and make some strips about 1/4 inch wide.

Take the plastic dust guard off the dial, and then look at the edge of the dial, and find the 7 sets of make contacts. There is a set of contacts for each of the 7 tones that create the matrix of 12 digits.

Insert a piece of paper into a set of contacts, then gently pull the paper through the contact set while depressing a button that activates that set.

Repeat for all the sets. It's a wiping action that tries to overcome the friction of the contact pair. It takes a little practice.

Then, look at the "common switch" which is a series of make and break contacts on the rear of the dial. You will notice that whenever you press ANY dial button, the common switch operates.

Use the same method as above for the normally-open sets of contacts. Then, for the normally-closed contacts, press and hold a dial button, insert the paper slip, and then release the dial button, while doing the wiping thing. Repeat for all the common switch contacts.

In your case, the problem is one or possibly two of the sets around the perimeter of the dial, but it makes sense to do all of them, and the common switch, while you're at it.

Thanks 'Uncle' Arthur - I will give that a try!

PM sent.

Sam

Why do I feel old when I see a 2554 listed under "Antique Telephones?"

BTW, How many of us made a quick burnishing tool (contact cleaner) by trimming a crisp dollar bill with our Klein scissors?

I kind of thought someone was going to suggest I use a crisp 100 dollar bill like they did in the CO

Thanks everyone for the help! The phone IS almost 40 years old, so I figured I'd post it here rather than equipment repair.