Phone works for a second 2

[szuccaro]

I have a merlin phone system with one extension that has a problem. I hook up a phone to it, and the phone works for about 10 seconds, after that I have to disconnect and reconnect a new phone in order for the extension to work. I can hear a dial tone but none of the buttons work on the phone. Only after I hook up a new phone and only for 10 seconds.

System Specs:
Merlin Legend 2.0 with MLX-10 type phones

 

[paul144]

1) Has this extension ever worked with a system phone?
2) Is this a S/L port and not an MLX port? For instance, was this previously used for a fax or modem?
3) What type of board is this extension run off of?
4) Have you tried taking the telephone and plugging it directly into the port on the cabinet?
It is possible that you have a blown port, but also possible that you have bad wiring jack or programming.

 

[szuccaro]

-Yes this extension worked recently then all of a sudden went bad.
-It is an MLX port
-I dont know the board
-No I have not tried plugging directly into the cabinet.

I think it is also a bad port.

Thanks for your help.

 

[aussie88]

Well, first, busy out, then restore the port. Then, take the phone back to the cabinet and try plugging it directly in. I had an issue like this on a classic merlin once. There was something wrong with the wiring, and everytime I plugged the phone into the outlet, it would stay up for about 10 seconds, then the phone would blow. Terrible waste of phones.

 

[merlinman]

Everything told you so far is RIGHT ON, but here's one more thing!

Do a SELF TEST.

At the location where the phone normally sits, TOUCH INTERCOM (SA) SPEAKER and *00.

Crank the volume up as loud as it will go.

1 of 2 things will happen, it will either be LOUD AND ANNOYING, or it will go SNAP, CRACKLE and POP and CRAP OUT !

Snap, crackle and pop, with crap out is an indication of BAD WIRING !

The sets were designed to work on 4 Pair, that's right, 8 wires.

However, they will KLUTZ along on 1 1/2 pairs, YES THEY WILL, but then they will not pass self test.

By doing that at the installed end, and then repeating it at the Control Unit (as aussie88 suggested), you can prove your trouble right away.

I was on one just the other day where someone used a STRANDED CAT 5 cable for the jumper from the switch to the IW, and guess what, IT FAILED SELF TEST!

 

[aussie88]

actually, even though there is an 8 wire jack on the phone, they were designed to work on 3 pair. Even with a DSS and/or MFM, the orange pair is still absolutely useless.

 

[szuccaro]

great info everyone!

The phones do not die though. All I have to do is plug a diffrent phone into the line and it works for about ten seconds, then goes dead (meaning no buttons work but still has dial tone when you pick up receiver). I tryed that volume test and it didnt do anything, just got really loud, but then after 10 to 20 seconds if froze again.

 

[merlinman]

If it froze, that probably means you have bad wiring to the set.

I would double check the connections.

 

[szuccaro]

An avaya technician came to look at it and said it was the phone. Being i am a neewbie, i did not question him. However I think is has something to do with the jack. I guess i will find out when we get the new phones in. will keep posted.

 

[merlinman]

If a phone works in one jack, and doesn't work in this one, it looks like the wiring is suspect, just as you proved with the self test.

If the FAILING phone works at another jack, again, the wiring at the FAILING location is suspect. Again, just as the self test proved.

Ask the tech to show you how to do the self test.

See if he knows.....

 

[aussie88]

Try a phone that you KNOW works, and plug it into the jack. Does it work? If not, take another phone that you KNOW works back to the control unit and plug it into te extension that is giving you trouble. Coes it work? If not, I would say a board problem. If it does work, then take a few of the failing phones and plug them into the control unit, do they work? If not, then it is possible that you may have a MAJOR short in your wiring that was frying every phone that you plugged in, I have had this happen before. Run a new wire (or find the issue), and plug in a good working phone. There, that should solve the issues. Unless you are in the Bermuda triangle of telephones or something wierd like that.

 

[paul144]

OK, given that many models of MLX phones have problems with the keypad flex circuits, I can see why someone might suspect a bad phone. However, if sets that work fine in other locations do not work on this ext, and then work ok in the original location, then the tech is a moron who is trying to sell you phones.
As stated above, plug the phone directly into the system. I bet it is the wiring.
If the phone works fine in another location, then fails when you plug it into this extension, then works fine again when it is plugged back in somewhere else, THERE IS NO WAY THAT IT IS TELEPHONE!
If the above applies, then I would
1) Cancel the new phone order
2) notify the technician's supervisor, if there is one
3) possibly file a report with the better business bureau.
4) consider contacting Avaya if this is an Avaya dealer.
There are all too many unscrupulous installation companies that will do everything that they can to make money selling equipment because they are unwilling to solve a problem.