A Detailed Guide How to Fix a Doorbell Chime Box the Easy Way?

The typically styled doorbell is simple with a very basic type of mechanism inside. Now that’s one of the main reasons why when it stops working for some problem, you can easily spend a bit of time and fix things. The repair of a doorbell can be done by a professional too. But why would you pay that extra cash when the troubleshooting is nothing very hard to do yourself?

And if you are agreeing on that note then stay tuned till the very end of this piece of writing as I’m about to share how to fix a doorbell chime box all by yourself.

A Whole Guide on How to Fix a Doorbell Chime Box Explained Below

The need to access all key components also requires you to be familiar with those in a comprehensive way. If you are not willing to get the doorbell chime out of work and fix the problem from the core, that much is crucial. But then again, if after trying for a while, it seems to still not work, go for a replacement. It is pointless to cry over a completely dead doorbell. However hopefully that’s still not the case with you and so, let’s get things discussed on how to repair a doorbell.

Cover Removal & Observing Parts

The chime unit should be under a cover. You need to detach this cover first. Usually, the cover can also just hang on some tabs. You just need to lift it up straight to remove it. While there are also types that come with screws. Simply use a screwdriver for loosening and removing them to detach the cover.

After this, you want to have look at the existing parts inside. There can be broken or missing elements and you need to figure that out. If there’s any, replace those parts simply. In the case of electro-mechanical chime units, moving parts are springs and plungers.

Identifying the Problem

You have to tighten the screws for electrical terminals. Usually, units will work at 24 volts or less than that. There should not be any danger of shock here. However, you can have a look at the wire and decide for yourself. If the wires are quite similar to the size of telephone wire, then this indicates a low voltage thermostat. And this means it’s the 24 volts or less type.

The doorbell circuits with low voltage usually refer to a tiny transformer connected right on panel’s side. If the transformer is existing then it is for sure a good sign. There will be less chance of getting hurt when you treat the wiring as a line voltage.

Get a friend who can press the doorbell a few times. While you focus on listening to it carefully. You also want to observe the parts that are moving. If you can notice slight movement or hear a low buzzing sound, then this means the chime unit is on power.

The doorbell button terminal screws, transformer, fuses, and circuit breakers are the electrical point. You need to check these and tighten them if there’s no movement or sound by pressing the bell. Then try once again. You need to keep on trying until there’s a reaction.

However, if nothing seems to work, move towards the plunger. Observe its movement. Give the plunger a gentle pull or push. Some move in both directions. While there are types that go only one direction.

If the plunger seems not to spring back into position then that’s a bad sign. The same goes for a plunger that moves not at all. There could be dirt or dust hanging up that is causing the trouble.

Cleaning the Moving Parts

Time to clean those moving parts a bit that can be causing the problem. You don’t have to use any lubricant here. Also say no to WD-40, silicone spray, graphite powder, and even oil. These are all short-time fixes that will not be effective for a long time. Also, there’s a good chance of these elements grabbing onto more grime and dust. And causing gumming up the plungers.

You can remove the unit from the wall or work in place. Both ways make sure to cover the surrounding surface. Also, don’t forget to label wires if you are removing the unit. Mark terminals too. Then you can disconnect them without any problem.

Get some electrical contact cleaner. Spray a very short blaster at moving components. The mechanism will start dripping off the contact cleaner mixed with dirt then. Now try to move the plunger. Keep on spraying at the same time while the plunger moves. This will help to flush all dirt that was around the metal plunger body.

Reassemble Everything Back

As soon as the plunger starts to move properly, get the chime unit back to its place. You want to reconnect it and then test the whole thing. Press the button on the doorbell to check. Also, compare the chime’s voltage rating with transformer stamped output.

The values should be the same. And you can simply change the transformer or chime for matching both values. Get the wires from the doorbell buttons out and touch them together. If the thing works now, then probably your doorbell buttons are faulty and need replacement.

Related Guide You May Also Love to Read: 

• How To Wire A Doorbell By Yourself
• How Does A Doorbell Work At Home

Wrap up

And that brings us to the very end of this guide on how to fix a doorbell chime box. It’s simple and something anybody can execute. But you must keep in mind that doorbells are very prone to getting dead soon. And so, if the thing fails entirely and you are not able to fix it, a replacement isn’t very expensive.

Also, if you are thinking of an upgrade, go for something better than your previous one. There are several modern options to root for that come with multiple other flexible features.