Here's my intuitive theory, and I base it on nothing except coincidence.
We had new doors installed and the installers fixed the doorbell while they were at it. I recall glancing over when they were playing with the wires and they broke off what appeared to be the ground wire (by accident, guess it was frail) and touched the two other wires together. Lo and Behold the doorbell which hadn't worked for 15 years (we had been using a wireless one) worked. I went out and bought a new doorbell button. The wire that runs to the doorbell looks like a phone wire (coincidence?) and originally there was an intercom as well. It never worked and we took it out 20 years ago.
Our phone says, "Line in Use" and we cannot dial out and when you try to dial in it gives a busy signal. So I went out and bought a new set of phones. Plugged it in and .... you guessed it, "Line in Use" pops up on the display. I'd like to try to figure this our before my better half calls Bell. My next step is to cut the wire before the area they fooled around with, which is in the wall now and Fvk the doorbell, buy a knocker. Yes boyz, they do come in singles
Any suggestions (reasonable, or at least funny) as always, are appreciated.
Any thoughts.

 

I read your title (House ? Fx'd the doorbell, now phone baffed) and thought, WHAT the Jeepers Sam got an FX. Good for him.

Then I realized you meant something else.

Sam I would disconnect the doorbell wiring at the source (your basement ?) and get rid of all of that system that has given you problems in the past. Then I would just run wireless as you have been.

 

Thanks for the idea Wayne. ......
Just came up from the basement. Looked at the phone stuff. Lotsa wires coming in and out of a rectangular gray box with a multitude of open connectors on its face. One set of wires leading to a heavier metal thing that has two sets of wires connected to it. Very confusing. Maybe I'll try to take a pic. Seems this may be beyond my capabilities.

 

This is what it looks like

 

^Sam, maybe time for the phone service man......

LOL Wayne on the FX'd

 

I agree, get all the extra crap taken out that is associated with your Doorbell/Intercom system that you haven't used in years.

 

hey Sam...
It shouldn't be too difficult.

On the punch down block (blue/green in pic)
The pairs are just pushed down into those connectors.
Using a small screw diver you should be able to pop the wires out.

Here's what you do...
- lift one pair green & red (one cable) out of the connector block.
- check if the problem goes away.

Yes = problem solved
No = put that pair back in the block (same place as they came out of)

To put them back you need to force them down using a small screw driver to push the wire. (there is a proper tool but a screw driver will work)

...go on to the next pair & try again.

It's a process of elimination, which cable (pair of wires) goes out to the front door.

If that doesn't work, take 2 aspirin and call me in the morning.

 

^^^^Someone knows what they are talkin about

 

...hope nobody phones when your fxing on the phone wires. Ring voltage can give a nasty shock.

 

Those are the exact words I'll hear shortly. We all have cell's so I can probably fart around for a day or two and see if I can solve it.

LOL, the last phrase really hit fast and out of left field. Great chuckle. I'll try to elimiainate after work tomorrow. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Thanks for the thread Sam, they always put a smile on my face.

Let us know the outcome of your great doorbell/phone adventure tomorrow night.

 

^yeah. start working on it before you twist off the beer cap though Sam.

Ian, great info. I guess at someone here knows something about electrical.

 

ttt for an update.
Did you get the phone working again Sam?

 

Yes, it's all good Ian. I did as you suggested and lots of other stuff. Called the Bell Boys on Monday. They committed to arrival at the house sometime after 8, but before 4:00. He came, tested, set up a temp. line because the problem was in the cable. They should have the cable fixed or replaced by July 28. Phone works, all is good.
Thanks for the update nudge.
P.S.
Now I need to connect the doorbell, as I cut the line to isolate it from the phone system in checking for a short in the wall. Mr. Bell, gave me some "Scotch" connectors to fix it. Neat looking, pressure and some sort of jell circuit to establish circuit.