Finally played Mach 3 last night.

[jimmyjet]

After two months of chipping away at different problems, I finally got my mach 3 to start up and play. I think I have resoldered and reflowed about 100 different joints. On the last board I was inspecting I found a trace that had been scratched through. I soldered in a jumper and threw the switch on the cabinet.
The laser disc whirred to life! I ran around the cockpit and there was the startup screen! I threw in a couple quarters and played!
I have been working off and on for two months on this game. Now to work on the minor issues like no sound and control panel issues.
Great game.
I remember last playing this game almost 12 years ago. When I saw this one I knew I had to have it.
jim

 

[rwaelde]

Congrats! Laser disc games can be some of the worst games to work on, (or try to work on) out there. And finding parts, don't get me started. It was like pulling teeth to get parts for my Interstellar.

 

[Mongo]

Welcome to the world of Laser Games!

Now for your sound issue. Mach 3 has a left and right audio track. The left one is for sound and the right one contains the targeting data and sounds like a fax machine. Depending on which laser player you are using (such as the Sony 1450) there are two buttons on the front panel that will disable the individual audio tracks. Check those first. If your targeting data is OK, you only need to trace out the left audio wires. I have found on my DL that the flex point near the RCA connectors on the player are succeptible to damage from years of sliding the player in and out. Try flexing the wires at the back of the player with the game on to check for internal breaks....

 

[jimmyjet]

Thanks for the tips. I think my sound issue is with the sound pcb. I can hear the sound that is on the laser disc ok, I just can't hear my bullets and the flak, etc. The led isn't lit on my sound pcb, so that is where I am going to start.

I have been "stockpiling" Mach 3 parts for a while now knowing I was going to be getting this machine. I have a few different pcb sets and two nonworking laser players for parts (pr8210's).
jim