Hammond M100 won’t start

[Seanym]

Hey all, just got a hammond M100 series from a friend, it was working fine when I arrived but unfortunately had to move it to my place and we're as careful as we could be but something got messed up. When I switch it on to warm up it does okay but once I hit the start switch there is a grinding noise and the start switch won't engage. I've worked on various instruments before but not an organ with tubes. So I was curious if anyone had an idea what the problem would be before I start checking stuff. (I assume the most likely is damaged tubes from moving).

thanks for any help!

[Jaim]

Proper Hammond Tone Wheel Generator with the start and run motors is start switch until generator comes up to speed - hold start switch on - engage run switch - release start switch.after 2-3 seconds.

Jim

[handyczech]

The way your question is written makes me unsure if you know how to start a Hammond Organ. Starting and running the generator has nothing to do with tubes-it is purely an electro-mechanical process. Do not turn the run switch on to "warm it up". With both switches down (off), first lift and hold the start switch to the slow count of 8. You should hear a slight whirring mechanical sound as the generator comes up to speed. Then, while still holding the start switch up, lift the run switch and hold them for a slow count of 4. You should hear a change and slight wavering in the whirring sound. Release the start switch, and the organ should be playable in 15-20 seconds. This is the only accurate, authentic start procedure for Hammond Organs documented since day 1. The generator should be oiled once a year only with Hammond oil, available online from Tonewheel General Hospital in Kansas City, and others. If the generator does not run, it needs oil. If the start motor does not engage, you have to apply oil directly to the shaft with a spout of some sort. Do not use wd40, car oil, olive oil, or any other substitute except possibly medical grade mineral oil or aviation turbine oil.

[Seanym]

Excellent, thank you both for the information, like I said I'm new to the Hammond organs, and both those comments are very much not how the person I got it from told me to start it up, but he also doesn't play the piano at all so it was rarely used, so I was rather confused when I looked at the manual which is why I wanted to check here with people who know what they're doing.

[andyg]

Just checking that you did lock down the tonewheel generator before moving the organ and then unlocked it again before trying to start it?