Good evening. I am new to the forum - This is my second attempt to post so sorry if the previous one shows up as a duplicate. I just purchased what I was told was a non running astronaut M4. Had a dead battery which leaked. I have ordered a new battery for it. I opened the case and cleaned out most of the debris from the battery compartment. There is however a small piece of something lying between the base of the battery post (the one with the yellow wire attached to it) and extending behind the green plastic wall of the battery compartment. In the photo it just looks like a greyish piece of debris, but under the microscope it is pretty linear. I'm wondering if it could be a corroded coil wire. Does anyone know if there is supposed to be a fine coil wire in that location? Thanks for the help.
In my opinion, the 214 movement will need a Ultrasonic Bath as well as cleaning of any possible corrosive materials found. But even in that case your movement may be a loss cause. If the battery was original (Mercury Cell) and it leaked, the movement is a gonner. The movement would need a proper bench inspection but I can say now, I would get a donor movement or a refund from the seller. When I see battery leakage, its the worse thing possible on any Vintage Accutron. Inquiries: centralhsd@earthlink.net John V. TIME & AGAIN
From the one picture provided the corrosion doesn't look too bad, but, I would need to see more, The wire connection points and battery contact both look fine from what I can see and the corrosion on the pillar plate looks relatively minor...
But, again I would need to see more...