There should be no need to open the network. The transformer inside has no bearing upon the operation of the ringer. Terminals on the network A and K just have a capacitor connected between them an that is all. If it fails, which I don't think it has, a separate capacitor can be connected externally across terminals A and K.

There is a reason why the networks are riveted to the base of the phone. They never fail. I think that you are wasting your time to try to remove it and troubleshoot there.

Didn't you say that you got the phone to work properly other than ringing? If so, I'd put that network back together pronto and hope that by dragging the components out through the "goo", you didn't break any of the fine transformer windings. This transformer comprises the voice coil to balance the transmit/receive levels and has nothing to do with the ringer at all.

When I suggested that you check for continuity, I meant testing between the individual leads on the ringer coil itself.

Ed Vaughn, MBSWWYPBX