Is there a part called a idler wheel on my califone 1620?

try increasing stylus (needle) weight. this is done by turning the tone arm counterweight clock wise when viewed from end.

This is an idler wheel drive turntable that uses a small rubber wheel, that when engaged pushes on the motor spindle and also on the rim on the underside of the platter. The spindle on the motor is stepped so as you shift speed the idler wheel moves up or down the spindle and that changes the speed of the platter. It could be the the shifting mechanism is dodgy You can try to loosen it by gently shifting the speed from 78 to 16 and back again. But the idler wheel rubber might be in trouble too.

Take the turntable off by removing the "E" clip. Make sure the motor spins - if it does not, it can be taken apart and oiled. The main turntable bearing should turn easily - if not take apart and lube. The idler wheel is the next thing to check - clean the rubber tire with alcohol or rubber rejuvenator and grease the bearing. Also check the motor mounting grommets - if they are bad the steps on the motor pulley won't line up with the idler wheel.
That's about all there is to it!

The rubber idler wheel that turns the platter may be worn out and may be hardened with age. If the rubber is not pliable the wheel turning against the metal platter will cause a noise. It may require a new rubber motor idler wheel.

Ask them what the part is they can't get and report it back here. Fixya experts like myself sometimes can track them down.

Take the turntable off by removing the "E" clip on the top center of the turntable. You can then oil the motor, lube and check the main turntable bearing and most important, clean, lube and adjust the idler wheel. The rubber tire on the wheel can be cleaned with alcohol or rubber cleaner and this will fix most speed problems. The height of the wheel can be adjusted by changing the fiber washers and of course the wheel bearing should be greased.

The usual cause is a dirty idler wheel. Clean the tire on the idler using alcohol or rubber cleaner. Make sure everything turns easily and check the height adjustment on the idler wheel. You may have to take the motor apart to clean and oil it (if not spinning freely).

there is no bushing on my rear wheels axle albeit an older scooter...wheel runs metal to metal on the axle and so...remove wheel and clean an grease the axle an replace the wheel.... probably wouldn't hurt to run a greasy rag back and forth through the wheel a time or two too...Sometime next week. The Maintenance Dude here @ Big Muddy River Apartments will be correcting a dry rear wheel on my old ole Golden Companion II. I had just acquired the thing and almost immediately after I sat on it to take it for a spin. The left rear wheel started acting up. Lucky my power chair guy does scooter repair too, and he told me no bearings in the back wheels. Its metal to metal and removing the wheel an greasing the axle should take care of it, and I havt'a say that was really admirable of him cause he could have clipped me for a service call and a grease job.....the end

Probably a bad relay switch. Open up the turntable. Identify the motor that spins the table. Follow the wires of that motor to, perhaps, some type of little circuit board with a relay. I have a Backley-Cardy 322-487 classroom phonograph which uses a Califone 1620 amp and a BSR turntable. To get the table to spin, you have to move the tone arm. Mine doesn't move and I'm in the process of replacing the faulty relay that is the problem.

If you take the platter off you may find a rubber "idler wheel" that rides on the inside rim of the platter. It may be worn or glazed over and hardened. Might try cleaning with denatured alcohol. If that doesnt work you may need a new idler wheel. West Tech Services is a place that comes to mind that may carry what you need.