| What's more frustrating than trying to ring a | | | | wires at both areas. Wrap the wires in |
| doorbell and that doesn't work? You're | | | | electrical tape if frayed and tighten them if |
| waiting for someone to answer but they don't | | | | loose. Make sure none of the exposed wires |
| even know you're there. Well, if the | | | | are damaged and they are connected to the |
| ding-dong is dead at your home, it may just | | | | bell terminal. |
| need to be repaired instead of being | | | | |
| completely replaced. This is relatively easy | | | | Step 3: Check the Transformer: To make sure |
| to do and can save you time and money. | | | | the transformer is working, restore power to |
| | | | the circuit that the transformer is connected |
| Problems with Doorbells: What do you do if | | | | to. The transformer is usually located on the |
| your doorbell doesn't ring at all or doesn't | | | | junction box in the basement or near the |
| sound right? The repair may be as simple as | | | | circuit box. Set a multi-tester on ACV scale |
| giving certain parts a good cleaning, | | | | with a 50-volt range, then touch the |
| repairing defective wires or replacing a | | | | transformer's low voltage terminals with the |
| part. The key pieces you need to check for | | | | multi-tester's probes. If there is a no |
| repairing and cleaning are the bell unit, | | | | voltage signal on the register then the |
| connecting bell wires and transformer. | | | | transformer needs to be replaced. You can |
| | | | also use an auto light to test if the |
| Tools and Materials You Need: Screwdriver | | | | transformer is working. Just connect the auto |
| Cotton swabs Rubbing alcohol Electrical tape | | | | light bulb to the transformers using short |
| Wire connectors Multi-tester Fine grit sand | | | | wires. If the bulb does not light up, the |
| paper Emery board Old toothbrush Lighter | | | | transformer needs to be replaced. Ask you |
| fluid A Doorbell That Doesn't Ring Check | | | | local electrical supply store for the right |
| Clappers or Plungers. Bells or chimes usually | | | | model. |
| don't work if their clappers or plungers are | | | | |
| dirty. If your doorbell is dirty, the ring | | | | A Doorbell That Doesn't Make a Normal Sound |
| usually sounds muffled or muted. Take off the | | | | Step 1: Check Clappers or Plungers: Bells or |
| cover to the chimes or bells and inspect the | | | | chimes usually don't work if their clappers |
| points that strike the chime or bell for | | | | or plungers are dirty. If your doorbell is |
| dirt. When the gong and clappers on a | | | | dirty, the ring usually sounds muffled or |
| doorbell unit or the plungers on a mechanical | | | | muted. Take off the cover to the chimes or |
| chime unit get dirty and dusty, dip a cotton | | | | bells and inspect the points that strike the |
| swab in alcohol to clean them. You can also | | | | chime or bell for dirt. When the gong and |
| use an old toothbrush and lighter fluid on | | | | clappers on a doorbell unit or the plungers |
| the clappers and plungers. These parts look | | | | on a mechanical chime unit get dirty and |
| like springs or coils on both the doorbell | | | | dusty, dip a cotton swab in alcohol to clean |
| unit and the chime unit. | | | | them. You can also use an old toothbrush and |
| | | | lighter fluid on the clappers and plungers. |
| Warning: Do not clean electric chimes because | | | | These parts look like springs or coils on |
| it will ruin them. | | | | both the doorbell unit and the chime unit. |
| | | | |
| Check Rubber Grommets in Chimes. If the | | | | Caution: Do not clean electric chimes because |
| rubber grommets that are attached to the | | | | it will ruin them Step 2: Check Rubber |
| chimes are hard or brittle, it can result in | | | | Grommets in Chimes: If the rubber grommets |
| very muted tones when the chimes are rung. | | | | attached to the chimes are hard or brittle, |
| Replacing the grommets can give a clear ring | | | | it can result in very muted tones when the |
| to your chimes. Rubber grommets can be found | | | | chimes are rung. Replacing the grommets can |
| at your local True Value hardware store. You | | | | give a clear ring to your chimes. Rubber |
| simply attach the grommets to the support | | | | grommets can be found at any electrical |
| holes of the tone bars. | | | | supply store. You simply attach the grommets |
| | | | to the support holes of the tone bars. |
| Step 1: Check Doorbell Button: If your | | | | |
| doorbell doesn't make any sound at all, there | | | | Step 3: Install a Transformer with Greater |
| might be a problem with the button instead of | | | | Low-voltage Output: If you have more than one |
| the doorbell unit. The button can easily be | | | | bell or chime connected to one transformer, |
| damaged by weather and dirt so it is | | | | the sound of the ring may be weak or delayed. |
| important that it be replaces or checked if | | | | A transformer with greater low-voltage output |
| there is a problem. Remove the cover and | | | | will give the both doorbells enough power the |
| clean the contacts using sandpaper or an | | | | ring clearly. Ask you local electrical supply |
| emery board. Use a screwdriver to pry up the | | | | store for assistance when choosing this new |
| contacts to make the bell ring. If this does | | | | transformer. |
| not work, remove the button. Disconnect the | | | | |
| wires and touch their ends together. If the | | | | Caution: When working with the transformer, |
| bell sounds, your problem is in the button | | | | turn off the power source and only touch the |
| and it needs to be replaced. If the bell does | | | | wires on their insulated covering. |
| not sound or sounds faintly, there may be a | | | | |
| problem in the bell unit. | | | | Tip: Don't worry about turning off the power |
| | | | unless you are working with the transformer. |
| Step 2: Check the Wires: Bells or chimes | | | | Since the doorbell uses such low voltage, |
| won't ring if the wires are loose at the | | | | there is a very low chance you will get any |
| sound unit or at the transformer. Check the | | | | electrical shock. |