DSL works, phone doesn't
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 5
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
DSL works, phone doesn't
I'm on the Bell South/AT&T self install plan. It's been up and running for several years. Phone and DSL all run on same red and green wires. 2 weeks ago the phone died, but our DSL is still working. I've tried a phone in all the jacks to no avail, even on the jack that the modem is plugged into. I took my phone out to the NID and plugged it into the test jack. Phone works there.
What's up with that?
What's up with that?
#2
I had that happen several times. POTs requires 2 wires but DSL only one. My problem always turned out to be a loose wire in some wiring cabinet 3 or 4 blocks away. First though remove the house connection at the NID and connect a phone. If you still don't have a dial tone you know it is AT&T's problem. If it does work reconnect the house wiring. If the test phone at the nid stops working you may have a short. If the test phone works only at the NID with the house wiring connected you have an open some where.
#3
Cue Twilight Zone theme; I just had that happen yesterday. Went to forward my business landline to cell in the a.m. and no dial tone. Plugged into NID and got dial tone and did forwarding. Went back inside and phones were working. Checked the NID and looked like one of the pins inside where the check receptacle flips open was not in a position to make proper contact when it was closed (connecting the house). Carefully pulled out the pin slightly (it was kind of mashed flat and looked like with the connection made wouldn't apply proper pressure into the connector) and checked alignment. Also cut, stripped, and reattached the outgoing wires to the house just for good measure. Not sure which item was the culprit, but likely the pin I repositioned.
#4
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 5
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Thanks, Guys
Ray, the only jack at the NID is my house connection. So it's my problem. I didn't realize that DSL ran on only one wire. I'm guessing that's where my problem is.
TowGuy, after what Ray said, your comments made me think that it's wiring in the "pigtail" that plugs into the NID jack. I actually disconnected the house wiring from the bridge (or bar, whatever that is). I twisted the red and green together, went inside and checked my jack, and I had continuity. So I'm guessing the red or green in that "pigtail"(NID jack to the bridge) is open.
I'll give it a shot, thanks
TowGuy, after what Ray said, your comments made me think that it's wiring in the "pigtail" that plugs into the NID jack. I actually disconnected the house wiring from the bridge (or bar, whatever that is). I twisted the red and green together, went inside and checked my jack, and I had continuity. So I'm guessing the red or green in that "pigtail"(NID jack to the bridge) is open.
I'll give it a shot, thanks
#7
I trust ray....but I'm not so sure about the one wire thing...lol.
Could it be just the way the wires are actually run in the house and the jack for DSL happens to be the first one? If they are daisy chained thats possible maybe?
Here's a question (kinda unrelated maybe).....don't they normally put DSL filters at each telephone use jack when DSL is used...and the modem has a telephone filter built in?
Shouldn't you be able plug a phone into a jack designated for DSL (I know it will have a hum and not really be usable).
I always had regular dial-up or cable.
Could it be just the way the wires are actually run in the house and the jack for DSL happens to be the first one? If they are daisy chained thats possible maybe?
Here's a question (kinda unrelated maybe).....don't they normally put DSL filters at each telephone use jack when DSL is used...and the modem has a telephone filter built in?
Shouldn't you be able plug a phone into a jack designated for DSL (I know it will have a hum and not really be usable).
I always had regular dial-up or cable.
#8
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 5
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Problem solved! Another forum pointed out I need 50vdc from red to green. I did not have that at the NID bridge, so I put a different jack in the NID and had 50v. So I changed out the "pigtail" and phone works again.
Thanks for everyone's time and input.
Thanks for everyone's time and input.
#10
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 5
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Ray,
It's a little different, but I probably didn't describe it well. I pulled the bridge off,and replaced the 4" piece of phone wire that connects the bridge to the phone company's jack. That wire is where the green wire was bad.
Thanks for your help.
It's a little different, but I probably didn't describe it well. I pulled the bridge off,and replaced the 4" piece of phone wire that connects the bridge to the phone company's jack. That wire is where the green wire was bad.
Thanks for your help.
#11
Mine's not exactly like ray's picture or your description. On mine, the "pigtail" is actually a hard plastic piece with a hinge. You push a little release clip and it swings away from the receptacle that you can then plug a test phone into and the actual terminal screws are then accessible. When you close the piece it makes the house connection and also covers the terminals. There is no separate, open receptacle for test and the little swingy part doesn't seem to be serviceable.
Anybody, all's well that ends well.
Anybody, all's well that ends well.