Sega Afterburner(no control from stick)

motoman9

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The control stick is completely dead, no control of the plane. Vibration mechanism is working though. The rest of the game works. Is this a common problem with the Afterburner games, any ideas on a fix? Where and how to start?
 
This should have been posted in the repair section.


If BOTH the X-axis (Left/Right) and Y-axis (Up/Down)
are completely unresponsive, check the wiring and
connections to the potentiometers.

There are two rotary dials, sorta like volume controls
on an old radio or tv, and if the wiring is broken off,
chewed up or bent beyond recognition, it'll take down
all the controls. Typically, a ground wire (which I believe
is WHITE colored in this era of Sega games) is broken
somewhere and if so, none of the controls will work,
even the trigger and missile buttons.

Potentiometers look like these:
96491600_4_items.jpg


I'd advise using a multimeter to test connectivity of these wires
from one end to the other. This may be advanced for your skill level,
but it is the first question any tech would ask.

Also, press TEST MODE button, select INPUT TEST and press TEST again.
What do the inputs read? All 00H? Including the throttle? ("Slottle" as sega says!)

Good luck. After Burner is a great game once you learn how to
dodge the missiles and keep clear of the smoke trails.
 
Forget about this part:

Also, press TEST MODE button, select INPUT TEST and press TEST again.
What do the inputs read? All 00H? Including the throttle? ("Slottle" as sega says!)

You can't move the cursor if the controller is broken.
 
Thanks again Yaggy. Where is the Space Port located? I'll start making some checks. I'll start at the potentiometers and trace my way back to where ever the wires lead too.
 
Spaceport is now a defunct arcade chain originally based in Philadelphia with locations mostly on the east coast. I left the field in 2000 and now enjoy it as a part time hobby.

One of the wires (RED/PINK) should also be carrying 5VDC if you can check this with a multimeter.

Does START, FIRE, MISSILE and Throttle lever work?
 
I'll check for 5 volts. I actually repair radio control transmitters which have gimbals which are used to control the model plane's surfaces(ie rudder, aileron etc.). These gimbals have potentiometers which have a signal wire, 5 volt wire and a ground wire connected to them. I assume it is a similar mechanism in the Afterburner game.
 
...These gimbals have potentiometers which have a signal wire, 5 volt wire and a ground wire connected to them. I assume it is a similar mechanism in the Afterburner game.

Yes yes, this is the same thing.
You're on the right track.

When removing the control panel,
be aware that in addition to the
four torx bolts along the top, there
will be fasteners on the underside, too.
Once they are all removed, it will slide
up and out. If these are not present,
be sure to find new ones. Most people
do not replace these and as a result, all
up/down movement ends up banging the
entire controller assembly around inside
the machine, prematurely aging it and
ruining the parts and wiring.
 
If you have it apart i would replace all the pots. I did it on mine and it improves game responsiveness a lot. It is a total bitch to do though and getting them lined up is also a pain. But with the amount of wear and tear after 30 years they might be cooked. Or maybe you have a bad ground or something.
 
Right on. Right now though I would be happy if there was any type of response. Game is not fun with a dead stick.
 
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