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gpm · Dec 21, 2008, 08:55 AM

My door bell works only if my finger is held on the pushbuttons. The front door makes a 6-8 digit chime, the rear door makes a dual chime. If the pushbutton is pushed and released, the chimes are shorter and partial. What's wrong?

KISS · Dec 21, 2008, 10:13 AM

Wire gauge may be too small. Cat 5 cable won't do. Thermostat wire is a better choice.

gpm · Dec 21, 2008, 07:38 PM

Thanks for your answer. Here is some additional information. The doorbell has been working for 12 years, only recently has it started to act up. I have replaced the transformer, and the pushbuttons. I am beginning to believe the chime unit has an internal failure. Is there a capacitor or other device that should be maintaining the voltage until the chime has completed its function?

KISS · Dec 21, 2008, 09:58 PM

It's probably an electronic chime. Capacitors, especially electrolytic, have a finite life. 5 to 10 years maximum.

Chime is likely the problem. I can't begin to tell you what to look for without a schematic. With a schematic, I could tell you what to replace. Right now, I can say any capacitor 1uf or above, but that probably means nothing to you.

Stratmando · Dec 22, 2008, 07:02 AM

I have seen some door bells do strange things, do to the lighted pushbutton. Remove pushbutton and momentarily touch the 2 wires. The pushbutton can be dissambled, remove bulb and reassembeled if test confirms.

Ruth1102 · Feb 15, 2011, 12:04 PM

Is it possible to buy a doorbell that will ring both upstairs and downstairs simultaneously? The only dual chime I can find is for the front and back doors.

Stratmando · Feb 15, 2011, 05:01 PM

Is this ding dong, or electronic? If not electronic, you may be able to add a second one paralled with the first, just may need to increase the size of the transformer.

If you use wireless, you could have several receivers.