As others may land here with same issue, perhaps I can advise them to check my posting regarding incorrect logic levels between Pi and the Stepper driver, as this can create similar symptoms to those you experienced.  In particular,  your observation that "It's just strange that it can't be turned when the camera light comes on but is easy to turn all other times."  This is probably due to a slight drop in 5V voltage when the camera turns on.  This would then slightly improve the chances that the stepper driver will accept the logic level as correct.

I'm really new to all this and want to make sure I don't break anything. I have a bit more time next week to read everything you sent in the links. I hope it is the ribbon cablle it does have a small kink in it. If you could please tell me what cable I should purchase to replace it I can order this below I start, as I sure it is the cheapest part to replace. I'm in the UK so any purchase links here would be great.

Again thanks for everyoness help

Col

In case it helps: read the e-mail at 2015-08-02 10:34:07 above carefully again.  They're not suggesting that you test the wires that go between the electronics and the stepper motor.  They're suggesting a continuity check of the stepper driver connection through the ribbon cable.  (So, maybe there's something wrong with the ribbon cable.)  The stepper driver is the little white pcb shown in the picture above.  So for each pin in the ribbon cable, test that there's continuity through the cable.

(Make sure the power's off when you do your check.)

Sorry this is a bit of a newbie questions but what end of the cable do I unplug for testing. and am I testing against the pins that I connected the cable from.

Also Am I just checking for power I'm wondering how I can check the stepper motor is at fault rather than the command not reaching it.

Again thanks for you help. It's just strange that it can't be turned when the camera light comes on but is easy to turn all other times.

Thanks for your help

Col

You would stick a piece of bare wire in the matching hole for each side of the cable and then check for resistance (ohms).  The pages below describe the process in a little more detail.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Turn-an … nnections/
http://www.techrepublic.com/article/tro … ultimeter/

I really appreciate all the help

Col

Thanks for your help

Col

No power motor easy to turn
Power up. I get a faint thud and then I can't turn it by hand. I'm sure I can here a hum
Camera comes on I can turn it again

Thanks for posting a reply.

It may just be me but I find it harder to follow a video and think it would be great to have these backed up with some close shoots of the finished connections. Unless these are already out there and I missed them.

Again thanks for taking the time to reply and adding the supporting image. I'm just going to recheck everything and is it looks OK go about getting a replacement.

Thanks

Col

BUt I think I got a good shot of what you need.   Usually, stepper motors don't go bad, If, after you check your wiring, you still can't get the motor to work, I would check the the rest of the wiring, and then I would suspect the stepper driver.  I would pay attention to it because it can be fried pretty easy if you plug wires in wrong.

You should also check the ribbon cable that goes from the stepper assembly to the Pi.  Make sure pin1 points toward the turntable.  If that was plugged in wrong and powered up, that might be what toasted the stepper driver.