Old and exhausted batteries are the primary cause for the movement to malfunction while keeping time, playing a melody, or swinging the pendulum (on some models). Ensure that you are using brand new alkaline batteries and they are installed following the + and - symbols. Do not mix old and new batteries or alkaline and non-alkaline batteries.

A poor electrical connection on one or more batteries can also cause performance issues. Ensure that the batteries are fully inserted.  Make sure that the + and - battery tabs are positioned entirely on the circular metal contact area of the battery – not on the outer battery casing.  As necessary, adjust the battery tabs to ensure they are making proper electrical contact with the circular metal contact area of the battery. 

Other issues and possible remedies:

• The pendulum will not swing: To provide proper pendulum operation, it is necessary to ensure that the clock is level side-to-side and front-to-back. Also, check that the pendulum is located correctly on the pendulum hanger.  Make sure the speaker wires in the closed door position do not interfere with the pendulum’s swinging motion.  Replace with new batteries.

• The clock is slow: Make sure the hands do not rub on the dial or glass. Make sure the hour and minute hands don’t cross or touch. Carefully adjust hands as necessary. Replace with new batteries.
• Hour strike count does not match the position of the hour hand: For example, the hands show 2:00 and the clock strikes three times at the top of the hour. With the minute hand at the noon position, manually rotate the hour hand (not the minute hand) to the position to match the hour strike. In the example above, the hands show 2:00, and the clock strikes three times. We will manually move the hour hand to 3 and then use the handset knob on the back of the movement to set the correct time.
• Chime volume is off or lower during the day and louder at other times: The nighttime volume reduction or shut-off is not properly set. Reset the nighttime shut-off. Replace with new batteries.
• Chime volume is always low: Make sure the speaker is not covered. Attempt to increase the volume using the volume control knob. Replace with new batteries.
• Chime is off – will not chime: Ensure that the chime is not in the “OFF” position. Replace with new batteries.
• The clock chimes several minutes before the hour when the hands are moved manually: This is normal. The clock will chime on the hour under regular operation.

NOTE: Gears in battery-operated movements cannot be replaced or repaired, so if new batteries or the troubleshooting suggestions above do not fix the problem, the movement will need to be replaced.