Eratic behavior- demon phones 1

[orthodoc3]

We have a Partner ACS 3.0. Three incoming lines, six extensions. We've had the system operating trouble free for over 5 years. In the past week the system has acted erratically: lines will go on hold by them selves, the system will page extensions. When those lines are answered their is no one there. We tried a 60 second re-boot. The local phone company says the lines are fine. Avaya support says that we have a 'false incoming call' and that the problem rests with our local phone company. The local phone company wants to point the finger at our hardware.
The only difference in our system is that we started forwarding a line from a remote office about the time that our problems started. At that time, a line seemed to be in use constantly, picking up and hanging up didn't turn off the light on that line. At the time, the problem seemed to be the phone at extension #11 (A MLS12d), so we unplugged it but the problems returned. Intrestingly these problems appear at random and with no apparent warning. In the morning all three lines will appear to be on hold.
Has anyone experienced similar problems?
Any suggestions?

 

[1A2guru]

Do you have an analog device pluuged into one of the extension ports (modem, fax machine credit card swipe machine) or just partner phones?

 

[orthodoc3]

A card reader

 

[toolman18]

Hi Orth, Do you have voice mail with an auto attendant answering any lines at night? Some call forwarding services ring the forwarded number once and then forward the call. If your using night service with your voice mail (considering you have it) set the VM to a delayed ring. Make sure call forwarding is cancelled in morning.

 

[1043]

What type voice mail do you have?

 

[paul144]

The symptons that you describe can be cause by the flex circuit keypads in the telephones going bad. The problem was particularly bad in the older MLS sets. I would try removing one telephone at a time from the system and see if the trouble continues. The keypads can be replaced and the telephone repaired.

 

[skip555]

garbled messages on vm can be a result of high loop current
have you checked it ?

 

[orthodoc3]

We use the local pc as the vm. Interestingly, my office manager fiddled with(reattached?) the wall jack at extension 11 about 2o hours ago and presto, no additional problems.
To answer some of the questions: we use ASA during busy times, as for forwarding, this is our main office (2 unmanned saltellites) so the phones are forwarded most of the time.
Thanks to all for the help. I update should problems reoccur.