CD32 - poor video output - caps - a DIY repair?

[RobA1200]

morning all

so I've dusted my CD32 off to try that new years of amiga demo cd that was just released, excellent btw. CD32 was working fine all day yesterday. however today the video out is dull and shaky. I've tried it on 2 different TVs. tried 2 different CD32 psu.

after a bit or research sounds like it could be caps. so opened it up and the 2 large caps towards the back by the expansion connector have slightly bulging tops, no sign of leaking.

i know the advice would be to change all, however i quite fancy trying this repair myself as these caps don't seem to small for me.

so i guess I'm asking, is this likely to be the cause? is it a relatively easy fix? and who is best to get the caps from? 2 x 1000uf 10v - also are these the ones commodore fitting the wrong way round?

thanks!

rob.

 

[roy_bates]

yes they are the wrong way round,you can check with a meter to find ground on one side

EDIT: bad caps can look ok by the way,just change them all.and yes they can leak and still look ok

 

[RobA1200]

thanks for the info - i was hoping i could just get away with changing the 2/3 large ones - seen the CD32 recap kit - don't think I've had enough practice to do the small flat round ones (smt)?

also, do you think this could cause the display issues I'm experiencing?

 

[roy_bates]

hard to say really

but,i wouldn't be surprised if the caps your talking about has nothing to do with your display issue which will probably only get worse

 

[RobA1200]

ah right, i'll give it a try and see what happens, was a bit of internet diagnosis!

 

[TheCorfiot]

Hi Rob

Not all CD32's were shipped with the caps the wrong way round (silk screen error) and replacing them will not affect your Video Issues.

The CD32 has a huge amount of SMD caps compared to an A1200 or A600 and replacing all of them is quite a drawn out process, once they start leaking due then they can very quickly write the board off due to the qty fitted.

It's very possible that leaky SMD caps in the Video section is causing your issue or that they have already leaked and eaten a few tracks.
It's also possible the Video Encoder IC had developed a fault.

 

[RobA1200]

ive noticed there are 1 or 2 ��. there is no visable leaks although i've read they can still fail. the only bulging ones are the larger ones. hmmmmm might be time to send it off somewhere. it's a version 3 board. thanks for the info

 

[mjnurney]

i had a cd32 with similar issues , changing every cap and cleaning the board helped but it was never cured. i changed the video encoder and traced as many tracks as possible ...after many hours i gave up. The CD32 is a bit of a minefield.