Pacman issue

Tufnel

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I could have sworn Ive seen this one before but couldnt find any info in search. So before I start getting into it wanted to ask the experts.

Pacman mini....machine has run like a top for years but the other day it reset during a game.

Next time I turn it on the start buttons dont work at all but the stick does so I can scroll around the menu, just cant start a game.

Swapped out PCB with a known working backup board and same thing.. start buttons dont work.

Original board is a pac board with mike doyle 96-1 and the other is just a stock pac board. Both do the same thing.

everything looks fine but cant press start with game set to freeplay on both.
 
I could have sworn Ive seen this one before but couldnt find any info in search. So before I start getting into it wanted to ask the experts.

Pacman mini....machine has run like a top for years but the other day it reset during a game.

Next time I turn it on the start buttons dont work at all but the stick does so I can scroll around the menu, just cant start a game.

Swapped out PCB with a known working backup board and same thing.. start buttons dont work.

Original board is a pac board with mike doyle 96-1 and the other is just a stock pac board. Both do the same thing.

everything looks fine but cant press start with game set to freeplay on both.

Could it be that the edge connector isn't getting a proper connection on the pins that carry the start button signals? My game was resetting randomly and it was the edge connector
 
tks.. Ill fiddle with that and check it out.

The game had just been sitting in the same spot forever so it would be weird if it was the connector but you never know. It was re-seated a few times when I swapped the boards also.

everything comes up and looks fine, start button does nothing.
 
Both do the same thing

I've had trouble with the connector a couple times
the harness hangs funny and torques on the connector and after 30 years it squishes the pins inside the connector so they become weak and don't grip tight like they should. what I do and I don't suggest this to anyone but what I do is to slightly, slightly grip the wire harness right above the connector and try and move it to see if moving it changes the way the pins inside the connector touch the game board. replacing the pins inside the connector isn't out of the realm of possibility. take the pins out and hit them with a brass brush in a dremel tool can clean them up but if they are weak, no matter how clean they are, electron flow could be your problem.

all pacmans I come across I change the fuse holder as standard operating procedure. the tangs there can get weak and also not grip the fuse tight enough for proper electron flow and a new fuse wont hurt either good luck
 
Pacman issues.

Does it work if you press player 2 start. It could be grounding wire is oxidated for player 1? Just a thought!
 
Does it work if you press player 2 start. It could be grounding wire is oxidated for player 1? Just a thought!

Its both buttons...

Ill check out the connector tonight let me know if anyone else has any ideas or has seen this before.
 
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