That's why I recommend using sockets for the chips.
The low voltage on pin5 of the 386 is causing pin3 of the 555 to stay high. In this case it's the 386 circuit causing the problem. Sounds like a bad chip or possible short on pin5.
I buy all my IC components from Digikey.
SG

Thanks again. All your help has been invaluable. On the second non functioning circuit I was able to desolder and remove the LM386 chip and install a socket in it's place. The next 386 chip I put in worked perfect and so did the circuit. I've since ordered some more sockets and new chips from Digikey .

 

Great!

 

Hey, so I've got another circuit acting strangely.

The output is on solid . Pin 3 of the 555 has 3.3v on it which is the only voltage that's different from a working circuit . I've swapped out the 555 and the 386 as well with no changes . I've gone over the connections thoroughly and can't find any issues . I'm stumped .

 

Pin1 - 0
2 - 2.5
3 - 0
4 - 5.14
5 - 3.43
6 - .09
7 - .09
8 - 5.14
Just for reference the above values are the correct voltages on the 555 if using a 5 volt supply. If pin3 is the only anomaly then:
Check the transistor, make sure it's the correct type and installed correctly or replace the transistor.
SG

 

Pin1 - 0
2 - 2.5
3 - 0
4 - 5.14
5 - 3.43
6 - .09
7 - .09
8 - 5.14
Just for reference the above values are the correct voltages on the 555 if using a 5 volt supply. If pin3 is the only anomaly then:
Check the transistor, make sure it's the correct type and installed correctly or replace the transistor.
SG

I've replaced the transistor too. I suppose it could be 2 bad transistors though. This things just got me stumped .

I originally had the wire that runs between the two ICs in the wrong spot ( where the .1cap and 10ohm resistor tie together on the 386 ) could that have damaged something? It was carrying 0 volts to the 555 obviously.

 

I originally had the wire that runs between the two ICs in the wrong spot ( where the .1cap and 10ohm resistor tie together on the 386 ) could that have damaged something? It was carrying 0 volts to the 555 obviously.

That should not have damaged anything. Besides you have replaced both chips. The only thing I can think of is the transistor. Are you sure it's a 2N3904 and connected correctly?
SG

 

That should not have damaged anything. Besides you have replaced both chips. The only thing I can think of is the transistor. Are you sure it's a 2N3904 and connected correctly?
SG

It is indeed a 2N3904 but I got 50 of them for very little money so it's possible that it's a pair of bad ones. Its definitely in the right spot . I'll try removing and replacing it again .

 

With the transistor removed I'm getting 4.58 volts at pin 3 of the 555, is that normal?

After putting in a 3rd transistor as you can imagine no change.

 

Should be zero. Give me the readings on all pins of both chips again.
SG

 

I tried a 3rd 555 with no change. Metered the socket at pin 3 with the chip removed a no volts.

555 matches what you posted except for pin 3.

386

1 1.26v
2 - 4 0v
5 2.52v
6 5.16v
7 2.56v
8 1.26v

At this point I'm thinking I've got to have something wired wrong but I've gone over this thing like 20 times and can't find any issues, haha. I just can't figure out where that 4.5v at pin 3 is coming from. I've . Checked continuity all over this thing and am not finding anything that's not supposed to be connected that is .

I assume pin 3 of the 555 outputs voltage when pin 2 of the 386 receives voltage? Is that how it should work?

 

OK, so with the 555 removed from the socket you get 0 volts on pin3. Lets try isolating the 555 again. Remove the 386 and connect a 100K from pin2 of the 555 to 5 vdc and check pin3 again.
SG

 

Ok, so at pin 2 I now have 4.7v and at pin 3 I now have 3.89v

 

Ok, so at pin 2 I now have 4.7v and at pin 3 I now have 3.89v

Remove the 555 and read all voltages on the socket.
SG

 

1 0v
2 4.7v
3 0v ( occasionally bounces to -0.01)
4 5.17v
5-7 0v
8 5.16v

 

Acts like a bad 555 is all I can tell. Can you try a different 5 volt supply or try on batteries? This is when having an oscilloscope is handy.
SG

 

Acts like a bad 555 is all I can tell. Can you try a different 5 volt supply or try on batteries? This is when having an oscilloscope is handy.
SG

I'll try a different power supply and let ya know, thanks .

 

Ok. With a 9v battery I get 7 volts at pin 2 and 6 volts at pin 3 . I'm ready to give up on this sucker

 

I agree! Without a scope I don't know what else to check. Heading off to work presently.
SG

 

Awesome. Thanks again for all the help!!

 

So I built another circuit with all new parts and am somehow getting the same results. I've swapped out the IC chips with another working circuit and the working circuit continued working and the bad circuits still send voltage to pin 3 of the 555.

If it means anything to you the voltage to pin 3 doesn't happen right away, when I plug it in it takes a while, at least 5-10 seconds before I can meter any voltage there. I'm beyond confused here. I built at least 6 with no issues, now the last 2 have been an issue.

Where does pin 3 on the 555 get it's voltage from? What causes it to send voltage in the working circuit?