Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => Pay Station Telephones => All Other Pay Telephones => Topic started by: Lee58 on March 08, 2017, 01:50:25 AM

Title: Need help openng the back of a Payphone of America from Sesa
Post by: Lee58 on March 08, 2017, 01:50:25 AM
Does anyone know anything about this phone? I turn the key to unlock back and you can tell it is loosed but will not open.Is there a trick?
Has two weird things on back that I try to push or slide. Please HELP!
I am also sending pic of useless manual instructions.Maybe someone will understand.
Thank you
Title: Re: Need help openng the back of a American Payphone from Sesa
Post by: dsk on March 08, 2017, 03:08:09 AM
Here is how I understand it:

This phone should open along the yellow line. You should first lift straight up, then take/tilt it forward.
If this one has been locked for years, it may be something "gluing" it together, so with some care, apply more force.

dsk
Title: Re: Need help openng the back of a American Payphone from Sesa
Post by: Lee58 on March 08, 2017, 05:41:09 AM
Thank you your input is much appreciated. I will give it a try. I do not think anyone has opened this since 1980. So yes it is stuck alright!
Title: Re: Need help openng the back of a American Payphone from Sesa
Post by: twocvbloke on March 08, 2017, 10:57:25 AM
Sometimes a bit of "percussive maintenance" is required for stuck things, if it doesn't come loose, carefully hit it on either side to dislodge any gunk that might be holding the two pieces together... :)
Title: Re: Need help openng the back of a American Payphone from Sesa
Post by: AE_Collector on March 08, 2017, 11:49:48 AM
Does it lift up some amount but then won't tilt forward at the top? Or does it not lift up either?

I have seen AE payphones where stray coins jammed a lock mechanism so it wouldn't unlock, you could gave something jamming the ability to lift and tilt.

While the page from the manual may be "useless" in that it won't work at the moment, I think it is quite valuable in this situation to see what is supposed to happen to open it up.

Terry
Title: Re: Need help openng the back of a American Payphone from Sesa
Post by: Lee58 on March 08, 2017, 12:05:09 PM
Thank you. It is still stuck.It will not budge. But I will keep trying.
Title: Re: Need help openng the back of a American Payphone from Sesa
Post by: AE_Collector on March 08, 2017, 09:04:46 PM
How far does the key turn? Maybe it isn't turning far enough to allow any movement. Can you put downward pressure while turning the key to maybe get more travel?

Terry
Title: Re: Need help openng the back of a American Payphone from Sesa
Post by: paul on March 09, 2017, 07:33:44 AM
Also, going by that manual picture, the phone is off hook. If you haven't, have you tried taking the receiver off the hook? There might be some interference inside with its mechanism.
Title: Re: Need help openng the back of a American Payphone from Sesa
Post by: Lee58 on March 09, 2017, 09:16:42 AM
I have tried everything . The phone just wont open. But I am so appreciative of everyone's help.
Title: Re: Need help openng the back of a American Payphone from Sesa
Post by: AE_Collector on March 09, 2017, 09:46:21 AM
Was there any vertical movement of the housing?

Terry
Title: Re: Need help openng the back of a American Payphone from Sesa
Post by: Lee58 on March 09, 2017, 08:59:06 PM
Absolutely no movement. And I promise you I really do not have problems figuring things out. This is puzzling.
Title: Re: Need help openng the back of a Payphone of America from Sesa
Post by: AE_Collector on March 09, 2017, 09:07:48 PM
I keep suspecting that while the key likely turns, it turns to the point where it hits something or binds and doesn't turn far enough to actually release the cover.

Terry
Title: Re: Need help openng the back of a Payphone of America from Sesa
Post by: Lee58 on March 09, 2017, 09:10:55 PM
I agree. I will keep playing with it.Not ready to accept defeat.I envision myself doing this for months! lol
thx for the help
Title: Re: Need help openng the back of a Payphone of America from Sesa
Post by: dsk on March 10, 2017, 02:09:00 AM
If you tilt it forward on pillow, and find a piece of wood, and a hammer and gives the back some knocks in different directions, what ever blocking may move, and you do not risk to ruin anything?
Title: Re: Need help openng the back of a Payphone of America from Sesa
Post by: Lee58 on March 10, 2017, 08:36:16 AM
Sounds like a good idea. Will try it on Sunday. thx
Title: Re: Need help openng the back of a Payphone of America from Sesa
Post by: bitbucket on April 08, 2019, 10:21:47 AM
Did you ever get this opened? I have one that was still brand-new in the box and I can't open it either. When I turn the top lock, I get the slightest bit of play out of the big top cover piece. I've tried prying a little but don't want to break the plastic. It seems to be stuck a little more on the right side. The locking mechanism still appears to work because if I pull the top of the case up a little and try to turn the key back to the unlocked position, it won't go all the way. Let it back down and it turns freely.

I tried the 'percussive maintenance' suggested elsewhere and succeeded only in developing a small crack in the upper-rear-left corner.

I'd like to get this thing open but, actually, my main concern is getting it functional (I have several payphones around the house and I try to keep them somewhat operational). It works as-is but the phone is set to pulse dial. I'm hoping that there's a switch inside that'll enable tone dialing. Anyone know if this is the case?