Virtua Racing - Works then Doesn't

Michael Roma

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I just picked up a VR and could use some help getting it running...

When I picked it up from the seller the wheel would calibrate, the monitor would get neck glow but nothing on the screen. I had to remove the control panel to get in it my truck but when I got it home I plugged the game back. The wheel did not calibrate but the game came up to the attract and looked good. I noticed that the wheel didn't calibrate because I forgot to reconnect the molex connectors. I powered the game off, reconnected the wheel and powered back on and the wheel calibrates but I just get a couple horizontal lines and a bluish tint on the monitor.

I disconnected the steering wheel again and get the same horizontal lines and bluish tint on the screen. I checked voltage at the switcher and the +5V was around 5.45V. Is that too high for these games? I also, disconnected all the molex connectors and reconnected them to no avail.

Any ideas on what I should be looking for? The manual really sucks as far as troubleshooting tips.

- Mike

PCBs.jpg


Power.jpg
 
Well after a couple power cycles I was able to get the game to come up... I put it in test mode, ran all the tests, and everything passed. After that I played a few games and everything worked.

I noticed that there is a row of red and green LEDs on the PCB stack and the green row stayed lit this time. On subsequent power cycles, where the game did not come on, the LEDs flashed on then off with the single red LED (power???) remaining lit. After a couple of more power cycles that single red LED won't even stay on.

What gives???

- Mike

VR_working.jpg
 
I thought so and ended up lowering the +5V yesterday.

Today I decided to fuss with it for a little bit and think (hoping) that I narrowed it down. After a couple of power cycles resulting in the same bluish BS I noticed that the green LEDs again would show up at first then slowly fade away. I slowly switched the rocker power button from off to on, teetering in the middle and noticed that the LEDs would light up. I then continued to release the rocker button into the on position and it played.

I powered the game off and removed/reseated the terminal connectors going to the power switch from the inside of the cab. I turned the game on and off 3 times and have 100% successful turn on rate. I am hoping that this is it and will see how my luck is tomorrow.

- Mike
 
Virtua Racing - Works then Doesn't (UPDATE - Bad Switcher)

Of course it wasn't the switch but now I think I have it... The game has two switchers in it (not sure why but the one in question has a 120V AC out as well as your typical +5V, -5V, and 12V).

I had the game up and running for over an hour today and noticed that the fan on the power supply wasn't on. I powered the game off and tried to push to fan (it is froze and will need to be replaced). I powered the game back on and the LEDs on the main CPU stack did not light up (not even the red power ones). I followed the connector/harness back to the power supply below. I disconnect the connector coming out of the power supply and hook my DMM to it... I get no voltage readings at all. I pulled the power supply and removed it from its casing to check the fuse and any obvious signs of failure but it looks fine.

What should I check first? I read something from Randy Fromm mentioning the
transistors are common failures and blow the fuse when bad but the fuse is fine in my case. Any other suggestions?

- Mike

VR_power2.jpg


Here it is removed from the case...

VR_power.jpg
 
I have had to replace caps on a similar power supply and I believe Ken mentioned problems with resistors opening as well. Since the problem is intermittent I'd lok for cold solder joints or bad caps.
 
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