Can only dial out using pulse dialing

OK, so I know this does not relate to broadband, but I am with Plusnet for my phone line and I couldn't find a more appropriate forum.

The problem is I cannnot make phone calls except by using pulse dialing. This problem arose some time between 23 and 26 December. I have tried two different phones, and the master socket (but not the test socket, as I am moving house soon and have packed up my screwdrivers). When trying tone dialing, the dial tone cannot be interrupted.

I called Plusnet, but a line test did not reveal any problems. Broadband appears unaffected.

I don't want to leave a problem for the buyer of my property. What could be happening?

You seem to have ruled out the obvious issue, your phones. It really would be worthwhile trying at the test socket.

Very, very occasionally this fault can be due to faulty exchange PSTN equipment.

If this persists, get PN to raise a CDTA task.

Thank you. OK, so I coaxed open the faceplate of the master socket with an electric screwdriver bit I found in a drawer, and indeed the test socket is working normally. So I suppose my internal wiring is at fault - fantastic timing for this to go wrong!

Maybe my buyer, when he gets a broadband installation, can get the engineer to fix this. Do you think that an FTTC installation engineer is likely to be able to do that, if prompted to investigate?

Edited by deleted (Mon 29-Dec-14 22:01:39)

Extension wiring ? Something you unplugged recently ? Possible that you had something plugged in that isn't there now and removing the plug has caused a short on the extension wiring - borne out by the fact that the master works OK.

Do you think that an FTTC installation engineer is likely to be able to do that, if prompted to investigate?

MOST unlikely.

And to reinforce Zarjaz's response, FTTC is moving rapidly towards being "self install", without any "home visits".

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It could be that you end up having to pay the new owner for any costs to repair, as you are clearly (and publicly) aware of the problem.

My daughter is a para-legal on house sales; and occasionally mentions that such aspects can follow on from a wide range of problems.

As long as the issue is revealed to the purchaser before exchange of contracts issues shouldn't arise. It may be that the purchaser insist that it is fixed by the vendor.

Agreed fully.

Unfortunately, it seems likely that it only came to light after the Exchange of Contracts, given the packing of tools etc.

This can be caused by a short circuit on the bell circuit terminals 3 and 5.

In reply to a post by TMCR:

Extension wiring ? Something you unplugged recently ? Possible that you had something plugged in that isn't there now and removing the plug has caused a short on the extension wiring - borne out by the fact that the master works OK.

I only have one DECT base station plugged in to an extension socket, and also the FTTC modem at the master socket.

In reply to a post by eckiedoo:

Agreed fully.

Unfortunately, it seems likely that it only came to light after the Exchange of Contracts, given the packing of tools etc.

Indeed, we have exchanged, so I think technically it is no longer my problem, but clearly I would be embarrassed to leave things in poor condition.

In reply to a post by partial:

This can be caused by a short circuit on the bell circuit terminals 3 and 5.

OK, I will stare at the wiring and hope for divine inspiration.

I agree with partial's post above - remove all wires except the pair connected to terminals 2 and 5 on both the NTE5 master faceplate and the extension faceplate and hopefully the problem will be fixed. The bell wire etc. probably wont be needed in the future anyway: http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/socket.htm

Good luck.

I think the, or one, point is to make sure the removed wire isn't touching T5 when reassembling. Though cutting it isn't a good idea.

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

I think the, or one, point is to make sure the removed wire isn't touching T5 when reassembling. Though cutting it isn't a good idea.

OP doesn't state that he has a filtered faceplate on the NTE5 but I would imagine that he has since the VDSL doesn't seem to be affected by any possible issues with the extension wiring. And as you say he must be very careful when removing wires and tucking them away

Unfortunately, I think you will find that anything untoward to the property, contents etc, remains your responsibility until the the agreed Date of Entry etc.

The easiest advice, is to remove all extension wiring from the NTE and levant at that. There is clearly power nearby as the FTTC is connected there, so put the base station there also. Sorted.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

You seem to have ruled out the obvious issue, your phones. It really would be worthwhile trying at the test socket.

Very, very occasionally this fault can be due to faulty exchange PSTN equipment.

If this persists, get PN to raise a CDTA task.

It's worth testing a few times as depending on the equipment in the exchange it could be intermittent due to the way the MF4 receivers are selected, also if it's faulty exchange equipment then other people on that same line concentrator would probably be seeing this problem.