My Electra 220 Smith Corona typewriter has been working really well for over four years, but ever since I used it last in November, it turns on, but none of the keys work.
I can press them all, but nothing happens. The only keys that work are the half space, and the return key, as well as the shift key. Not even the power return key works, and none of the number keys work. They don't do anything when I press them, and I don't know why. How do I fix this?
You can start off looking at the ribbon and replacing this. Next, you should clean and oil the carriage return of the machine. Add a few drops of oil to this. If none of this helps then it has to be an issue with the print head. But considering you say the power key won't even work it leads me to believe that you have an issue with the carriage return on the typewriter.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
My electric typewriter (the Smith Corona 240DLE) does not type complete letters anymore. I can't even type full words that I can read.
I've read some questions on the site. It might be the hammer, and I might need a new ribbon, but is there anything else I should know?I would think either the hammer or a worn out ribbon.
I have a Smith Corona Typewriter SL460. When typing, the hammer hits 3 times, can this be changed?
Is this a new machine to you?
Or have you been using it before and this just started?
Have you tried cleaning this machine?
Do you have a manual for your machine?
You probably need to take the cover off to see if it needs cleaning. This link might help even though it is showing a manual typewriter.
www.typewriters101.com/
If it is one letter that is causing the problem you may be able to straighten it but do this carefully.
You can join Reddit and ask your question as they have a ton of vintage typewriter people.
www.reddit.com/
www.reddit.com/
This is a forum and they may be able to help you.
typewriter.boardhost.com/
manual:
www.smithcorona.com/
I have a Smith Corona Super 12 Coronomatic typewriter. When the X key is pressed the letter strikes the page repeatedly until the key is released.
When you press the other keys they strike the page only once no matter how long you hold the key down. What is wrong and how can it be fixed?This is an extra feature that is for crossing out words. One would have paid extra to have the typewriter configured this way.
My Smith Corona SL 460 won't turn on when I plug it in. What do I do?
You do not say if this is a new machine to you or if not then how long has it been since you used it?
Be sure to check all connections to the wall and to the machine first as sometimes the cord wiggles loose from the machines.
You may need to join one or more of the typewriter forums to see if some of the members can help you. You may need their help as they know what questions to ask to get you started down the right path.
typewriter.boardhost.com/
www.reddit.com/
If no help on these you might want to consider taking it to your Sears Service Center as they will sometimes check out a machine to see what parts are needed and they may be able to order anything you need or if you need service they can usually do it.
Call them first as some are not open during this virus.
www.service-center-locator.com/
I have a Coronet Super 12 typewriter that I inherited from my great grandmother in 2008 when she died. It worked then, but I didn't have much interest in it. I would like to use it for journalling, but some of the keys get stuck. If I hit 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Q, W, E, A, S, D, Z, X, or C, the belt around the small pulley, all the way to the left of the machine, stops moving and I need to turn it off, and roll the pulley back a tiny bit to reset it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.The levers that the keys are attached to may be bent. Open the cover and check.
I found a manual for it:
sevenels.net/
This gentleman has a whole series on these machines...repair, cleaning, etc. Perhaps one of the can get you back to journaling!!
I miss journaling with a typewriter...my last one finally died a few years ago...before I knew about YouTube and Google. I am sad I did not save it because now I could probably get it back and running and I am not even handy!
www.youtube.com/
Good luck!
I plugged in my Smith Corona electric typewriter (color gray and portable) into a 230 volt socket and it needs only 110-120 volts. It turned off suddenly and smells bad, but no smoke came out. It burned. It didn't burn like a burnt piece of wood. Can it still be fixed? If yes, what does it need to have replaced? There are a lot of electricians in my place.
By David from Philippines
Nope. You've fried the circuitry and modules. If you contact the company they may be able to send you new guts. Good luck!
My Smith Corona dictionary typewriter won't type letters "i j k l m o p y"; it types all other letters perfectly.
I have recently gotten into using an typewriting as a fun way to send letters to my girlfriend during college. (cheesy I know, but also useless introduction.)
I have a Smith Corona sl500 and have been using it for a few weeks when I started having problems with the letters not fully forming when I type. I took a look at the ribbon and it does look like there are some overlap problems where the previous letter hasn't moved far enough before the new one is struck but I am not sure how I could fix this problem. Any input would be greatly appreciated!
I am not sure how old your ribbon is. If you are having this issue it could be caused by the ribbon being too tight or too loose to advance correctly. In cases like this, it could easily be because one of the ribbon carriages is damaged and needs to be replaced.
I had one of these many years ago and I remember if the ribbon was 'old' (even if it had not been used very much) the ribbon would not always make clear letters on paper. Not sure why but it may been because it had dried out in spots.
You are fortunate that even Walmart carries ribbons for these.
www.walmart.com/
If you need more help there are several forums (many people truly love vintage typewriters) so you might check some of these if a new ribbon does not do the trick.
Reddit is a good site but you may have to have help finding the right group to join.
www.reddit.com/
I have a Smith Corona typewriter. It appears to be working fine, but when typing there is no print. I changed the ribbon, but doesn't seem to have any effect. What is wrong with it?
Check to see if the ribbon is installed correctly. Make sure it is in the middle of the keys so when the keys hit the ribbon it prints on the paper. Second, check the ribbon to see if t he keys are hitting the ribbon when you press a key. If the keys are not hitting the ribbon it will not print on the paper. You may need to adjust the keys on the typewriter to make sure they are striking the ribbon when pressed. Also check the ribbon and make sure the ink on the ribbon is good and that it is not dried out.
There are numerous model of the Smith Corona so one solution may not fit every typewriter model.
You do not say if your typewriter is new to you or if it was working before you changed the ribbon so it's difficult to really know what is going on.
Do you know that you have the correct ribbon?
Have you installed a ribbon on this model before? There are some adjustments that have to be made when installing ribbons.
Take a look at what this Smith Corona typewriter tech has to say and maybe you can ask them if you're still having trouble. Your problem is covered on the first page - just scroll down the page.
www.vintagetypewritershoppe.com/
My "E" and "X" keys do not work. How can I fix those on my Smith Corona 220 automatic electric typewriter?
You may have to clean the key switch. Do do that you have to manually pull off the keys on the keyboard and clean the key switch with a Q-tip moistened with rubbing alcohol.
I just got a Smith-Corona Electra 120. So the half space works, but none of the keys will move to type. The plug works and everything, but none of the other keys will work.
I was wondering how to fix this as I would like to use it.My Smith-Corona Automatic 10 typewriter stopped typing. When I click on the keys, it doesn't make a noise or even try to type anything. How do I repair it?
I have a Smith Corona Electra 2 typewriter. Whenever I power it on it makes a bumping sound and the keys don't work. It is very old. Plz help me repair it.
Normally when you hear this bumping sound it means that the carriage return is not moving and is stuck. It appears that the belt on the typewriter is stuck or you are having a problem with the carriage return on the machine. I have found a repair video that is on YouTube that shows you how to deal with this problem. Here is the video www.youtube.com/
If this is not your issue it may be necessary to take this into a repair shop for service. You may need some new parts to repair your old typewriter.
The print hammer is continuously ratcheting when I turn on the typewriter. What can I do to fix this?
Is this a new-to-you typewriter or have you been using it and this just started?
It really sounds like you need to discuss this with a tech and you need to identify the model as either a Secretarial or a Wordsmith and serial number if you have it.
The following sites are forums and they can help you as they know all the right questions to ask.
Join the sites and keep them handy as you'll probably need to ask for additional help in the future.
typewriter.boardhost.com/
www.reddit.com/
www.reddit.com/
permies.com/
The enter/return and backspace keys on my Smith Corona DeVille 110 electric typewriter don't work. I'm not sure if it's mechanical with the keyboard, or if it's the ribbon cable attaching the keyboard to the memory, etc.
It's just a problem, and it means I can't fully use my keyboard.
There are many YouTube videos on the subject here. www.google.com/
It is hard to find someone to repair typewriters these days, so hopefully you will be able to do it yourself.
If the YouTube video doesn't help and you decide to get it serviced, this website has repair places around the world:
site.xavier.edu/
There is a resurgence of typewriters being used again (YAY!!! I love typewriters) with artists who junk journal and even some writers, so hopefully you will have a place nearby!
Post back with an update!
Every button my Electra 1973 Smith Corona (electric) works, but the G key.
What's the first reason just one key wouldn't work? Do I need to get a new ribbon?
That particular key may be bent out of shape. Open the cover and bend it back into shape.
Where can I buy a replacement Smith Corona contact pad?
Thanks for any help.
I buy replacementn parts for things on eBay...often people sell old machines for parts (see this link):
www.ebay.com/
The other place is flea markets, tag sales and estate sales often have the old machines dirt cheap and you can pick them up and cannablize them for parts.
If you are super handy, you can take the entire thing apart, pull off what you need and then sell the deconstructed parts on eBay and make your money back!
I have learned over the years many things are worth more as parts than the whole and this is a great way to make money off of broken items!!
Just my 2 cents worth for your typing pleasure!! Hope you can find what you need quickly!! I love the sound of a typewriter! I have one of my phone ring tones set to that very sound....click....click...click...ding!
I have two keys on the whole machine that repeat when you hold them down or just press them hard to make them hit, and (that's the joke). Any idea how to stop the repeating? How about the not hitting hard enough?
The levers have to be adjusted to respond to the right amount of pressure. You may have to take it in for servicing
Are they the X and the period? I can't remember which SC machine I used to have and love, but they were supposed to do that...the X to cross out things and the period to make the ....... leaders to a table of contents!
The best way to control that was just to figure out the touch of your particular machine...mine just needed a quick swipe and I got one, but linger, and I got bunches!
If these are not the keys you are having issues with, then it is back to square one for me!
Hope they are and this is your answer!
