Lethal Enforcers Left Side Sound - New Arcade Owner

maffewl

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Lethal Enforcers Left Side Sound - New Arcade Owner

Hey everyone, I finally joined the ranks of arcade ownership! Makes me feel like a kid again.

One of the games I purchased was Lethal Enforcers (a fav of mine back in the day). However, the only noticeable problem that I am having so far with it is that the left speaker sounds muted (the right works perfectly).

I've read on here that these boards are prone to sound fading and going out, but wasn't sure if that was referring to a total loss of sound out of both speakers simultaneously, or could it apply to just one side? Does this sound more like a speaker issue or a sound chip issue (or some other issue)? The left side is muffled and low volume, right side is perfect. Like I said, I'm new to this but am looking to learn.

Thanks for any replies!

Hopefully the next project may be starting to build a MAME. :)
 
I thought about trying to hook up the left side to the right side speaker to see if it sounded the same, but it looks like there is only one connection that heads to that part of the cabinet. There are two other sets of lines that look like they are going to the speakers, but when I unplugged them, they didn't do anything to the sound. Are these other two lines heading to the marquis/sound partition for the marquis lights?

The only sound line is going to the center of the marquis partition, it has two wires, does this sound correct?

Sorry if these are total noob questions, but I am a total noob.
 
I'm not familiar with Lethal Enforcers but looking at the diagram it should have 4 wires going to the speakers. If it is a dedicated cabinet that should be the case. In the settings menu try checking what the sound is set to. Stereo or monoaural. Or it could very well be a bad speaker.
 
Thanks for the help... I'll take a closer look tonight and see if I can switch wires between speakers to see if it is that or a board problem.
 
I'm not familiar with Lethal Enforcers but looking at the diagram it should have 4 wires going to the speakers. If it is a dedicated cabinet that should be the case. In the settings menu try checking what the sound is set to. Stereo or monoaural. Or it could very well be a bad speaker.

I would try the settings menu first, it is probably set to mono.
 
That boardset is prone to bad capacitors on the custom sound chip.

Id swap speakers or speaker wires to see if its a speaker issue or a boardset issue.


I have repaired a le board for sound issues in the past and it was not fun.

Id set it to mono, live with the sound difference by cranking up the sound a little, and run it till it dies.


Once you totally lose sound then you can attempt to recap the ic, but its not an easy task and theres alot of misinformation out there about them... so basically i only like to mess with them once theyre dead.
 
There is a very common issue with LE boards where capacitors on a "hybrid module" leak, and cause a variety of issues; usually starting with static and/or weak audio, and usually ending with no sound at all.

I recommend fixing it (if you have the skills and equipment) or having someone with that experience and skill to fix it for you--sooner rather than later. This is because waiting may result in a un-repairable board, if the leaking caps damage the surface mount components on the back of the hybrid.
 
Thanks for the help everyone... I switched the connections on the speakers and it looks like it may be a board issue. I was hoping it would be a speaker because one side was still good, but that doesn't seem to be the case... looks like I'm going to be cleaning the sound chip and replacing capacitors. Is this a fix I can attempt with simple radio shack type purchases or something I need to specifically order online?
 
Is this a fix I can attempt with simple radio shack type purchases or something I need to specifically order online?

No offense, but I'm thinking that it's not a repair you should attempt if you haven't done a fair amount of soldering before. At least.
 
No offense, but I'm thinking that it's not a repair you should attempt if you haven't done a fair amount of soldering before. At least.

I will agree here, this is an advanced soldering repair and requires an iron with a small tip and temperature control to do it right. It's not fun either.

I have a few spare LE boards with full working sound, I could cut you a deal on one, send me a PM if you're interested.
 
No offense taken... I've built rc cars and other misc. items that required soldering but never computer components, so I can understand that they may be, and most likely are, out of my current skill level. So I'm guessing these are specialty components? I would like to learn about what the process is even if I may not attempt it.
 
Is there any reason people are replacing the surface mount caps with through hole ones? It looks very ugly and unprofessional.

My guess is that it's general unfamiliarity with surface mount components, equipment & technique; on the part of the OP as well as several of the following people attempting it (me included).

Looks like Prariedillo is doing it using SMT caps, though.
 
Personally I tried using surface mount caps and got tired of of the process so I switched to radial caps. Most of us here aren't professionals....if you can do SMT work, fine...but why shit on those of us just happy our boards work again? Prior to Prariedillo nobody was actively offering to do the SMT work on these and it was generally considered a lost cause. The breakthrough in this repair was done using radials, but kudos to Prarie for raising the bar.

Edit: Not trying to stir the KLOV pot, but I just feel given how many people have been able to fix their board without SMT caps is great and as long as it functions that's what's ultimately most important. Maybe at some point I'll use the stash of SMT I bought and give it a go again. Using radials can also be easier depending on trace and/or pad damage for some really rough boards. The only real downside to me as far as radials is they could be much easier to break them off.
 
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Personally I tried using surface mount caps and got tired of of the process so I switched to radial caps. Most of us here aren't professionals....if you can do SMT work fine, but why shit on those of us just happy our boards work again? Prior to Prariedillo nobody was actively offering to do the SMT work on these and it was generally considered a lost cause. The breakthrough in this repair was done using radials, but kudos to Prarie for raising the bar.

Exactly......
 
It was not my intention to shit on anyone's work, I just don't see whats so difficult about using the surface mount caps.

I apologise for any offence caused.
 
It was not my intention to shit on anyone's work, I just don't see whats so difficult about using the surface mount caps.

I apologise for any offence caused.

Its really hard on these modules. The traces are so fragile and you have to use so much heat. Its amazing the Prariedillo can do it so cleanly. You have to have a ton of patience just to remove the old caps.
 
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