IBM Selectric typewriter carriage return repair

I am so excited right now. I picked up a free Selectric II yesterday and the carriage return isn’t working. When I took everything out of the case there was a spring in the bottom not connected to anything. I can’t wait to get home to reattach it and see if it solves my problem. I know this video is 12 years old but it is still VERY appreciated. Thank you!

Yup. Picked up a Selectric III at a thrift store today, but the carriage return didn't work. I too found that spring at the bottom of the case, and I put it back on the clutch. It was a little finicky, but it did the trick. Works like a charm. Now...the hard part: cleaning the neglected, messy machine up. It's gunky. Thank you for the video!

I was not only an Office Machine Technician, but ended my years as a Problem Solver Service Manager, on all kinds of Word Processors!

It was helpful to see how you took the platen off to be able to remove the case. Upon doing that, I was able to see there was an actual plastic piece broken, which was the cause of the problem. I guess this is now a parts unit.

I have repaired those machines years ago. After you lubricate the rails, print shaft and pulleys, you can degrease the C/R spring and pinion by putting some degreaser on it while it is running. Must have no oil on it. If it gets bad enough, the C/R spring and pinion can be replaced by pulling out the operational shaft. I have done thousands of them. Not sure if there are still parts available. Not a bad job but you have to pull the shift clutch off, loosen all the setscrews. There is a tool.

Well sea sick with the camera in out side to side. Glad I saw the spring area my newest PIA is missing spring and carrage won't go more than 4 in away from the left side. Brake cleaner fumes don't help. Thanks for info

This movie was very educational. I also have few Selectrics, trying to make them work again. Right now I have problems with space/backspace.

The spring you replaced is the torque limiter. It is made to slip. Your problem is probably the return clutch which is what the exp. button pushed against. Sometimes cleaning the clutch will help but probably needs replacing.

I repaired these selectric 2 & 3 for many years

These square style selectrics are the same type we had in the office. I still have my IBM Selectric, but it is not the large square type like you have or was used in my office, it is smaller with the more smooth curved art deco looking style, I think early 60's It cosmetically looks like new. It did work fine a few years ago, but has been sitting so long it developed problems when I last tried it. . It needs cleaning and oiling again.

Nice to see them working and happy thanksgiving.

thanks Chad - your vid really helped me in fixing my 1979 Selectric II.

The carrier return can be quite easy normally the carrier speed can be adjusted the motor not starting up is simple it just the capacitor next to thecmotor behing the. The spacing speed also somtimes can be adjusted by some simple modification. Pinion spring does damage when the pinion gear gives way

I still do 9:10 have some of this ibm parts pinion spring. Replacing these springs mustuse the the filler gage for fine fitting so that the new spring is attached to grey plastic pinion gears does no damage again by falling into the big gap

I've been fussing with not one, but FOUR selectrics for a while. (I had to stop over the winter - my workspace is barely heated and gummed-up selectrics do NOT like the cold.)  I have an original, two II's and a III.  The II's are both really gummed up - what did you use to degrease yours?  They look really clean. I ended up having to completely rip apart the switch in the back of one of the II's and get all the gummed up grease out of it in order for it to make a connection.  I've been having the same problem with the carriage not returning - this video was a great find!  Thanks!

@baggyklown That's great, glad I was able to help!

Very informative, thanks Chad.

I found mine in a scrap bin at work with the the dust cover on it, but no print head! Anyway, it also had a carriage return issue, but turns out it was just gummed up, both the mechanism and the print roller.

That deck in the top right corner of your room looks like a TEAC A-series reel-to-reel deck.

it's called a torque limiter return extention spring. can be adjusted with a t bender as well!