The turntable only works when I put it on auto return. The arm goes back then the motor turns. JVC Al-E45

see if this link helps you out. Tips for Repairing Your Home Turntable ..
or this one.. JVC AL E31 Turntable doesn spin automatically Google Search

Does it restart if you manually lift the arm up?
If it does then you might have not put the belt on right. Another reason is that the problem was not the belt, but a motor showing the signs that it wasn't coping when under load. This could be caused by grease or muck inside the motor or in the drive functions. However the motor could be faulty.

Hi guys, I have this exact problem. If I manually rotate the platter and engage auto return, it spins perfectly. Then when I try to play a record it fails. This lasts from minutes to hours, then fixes itself. Did anyone ever diagnose/fix this problem?

take the platter & belt back off, then check to see if the motor spins, if it does the belts the wrong size or put on wrong, if it doesn't spin then you better get your butter & jam out, to put on your toast.

The only thing that might cause something like that is a build up of static. You can buy anti-static products for records and turntables. I tend to use an anti-static spray which also cleans the records.

Hi, this problem is caused by the cut off switch not depressing far enough to turn unit off. To remedy you need to do as follows.
1. Disconnect from power supply.
2. remove platter.
3. Flip unit over to expose the underside and remove all screws.
4. Remove base board.
5. Look at the gearing beneath the tonearm and identify switch that tonearm depresses at the rest point.
6. Loosen switch retaining screw and turn switch toward centre of turntable slightly until it clicks or closes. Tighten screw to hold switch firmly in place at that point.7. Reassemble and test.

Good luck. John. [email protected].

Some years ago, I found only one supplier; now there are several:
Turntable drive belts

I had the same problem, you have to open the turntable, there's a rubber piece that pushes the arm to the arm rest. It becomes sticky with the years, and when this piece of gear goes back to the normal position, it takes the arm to the center with it. just clean the tiny piece of rubber or put a piece of paper on it.

Most modern day turntables are semi-automatic. You move the tonearm from the rest post
over to the record and the platter will start turning. There is a small microswitch inside
either below the arm base or near. There should be a flat bar connected to the base of the arm
and this will actuate the microswitch. The switch is wired in series to the rotation motor.

Solution: 1. Obviously verify the belt is on. Take off the rubber mat and rotate the platter.
The rotation motor is on the left and it has a small brass spindle. The belt should
be visable through the holes in the platter. If not pull the platter gently up, there will
be some resistance. The belt wraps around a smaller inner ring on the underside
of the platter and the rotation motor spindle. If it is degraded it will be stuck to the
platter or fall apart. Generally there 3 common sizes. ( 21.4 / 23.6 / 25 inch) they
readily available on E-Bay, search term "turntable belt".
2. Obviously check power.
3. Check the microswitch, it should "click", verify with ohm meter.
4. Some turntables have a "cut" or stop function. The arm must return first to rest before
starting again, again the microswitch is the trigger.

The problem is probably the belt. When a belt gets old it tends to stretch and/or get stiff. Listen to see if you hear the motor turning. If it comes on when you lift the arm, it is not the switch.