Battery wall clock won't tick!

[corrideo]

My rather elderly battery wall clock stopped, I replaced the battery (which was very low) but now I cannot get it started. What to try? Help!

[wildwood]

Sorry to assume so corrideo, but are you sure the new battery is good (sometimes new ones are duds) or, have you put it in the right way?
Then again, the clock may have just simply died.

[corrideo]

Cheers Wildwood! Actually I have a battery tester so could be sure (a) the old one was dead and (b) the new one was OK. But of course you may be right about the clock having passed on... Tried giving it a gentle shake - no dice! Ah well.

[xyzzyplugh]

maybe get a new works for about �4?

[FTVS]

Could try rubbing down the bits in the clock that connect to the battery (surethere is a proper name ut don't know it!) with sandpaper - I use an emery board - this allegely gets rid of any oxidised metal or build up from the battery. (Well that's my Dad's top tip and it did work once...)

[ralph1953]

You say it's rather elderly, corrideo - is it pre-quartz? If so it has a balance wheel that needs to be turned (gently) to get it started. If you can't see the works, look for a cover to remove. Such movements do wear out though - the last one I had lasted about 6 years

[corrideo]

Thanks Ralph. Yes it is pre quartz, and I have on your advice found a wheel. There is a little lever which was resting against the wheel, when I moved it a tad to free the wheel, and rocked the clock gently - presto! it started. Wow, success! thanks a million. Now we'll see how long it goes for! Clock is prob about 20 yrs old, so the mechanism has done well!

[mikewith]

I love a happy ending - nice work Answerbankers!