[quattttro]

I’ve got no sound from the left channel and irregular volume levels on the right from the pre-amp. I’ve traced the signal to the inputs of IC4 (Toshiba TC9177P), but nothing on the left channel output of that chip. The +/- 12V supply to that chip is fine.

 

[Dillen]

All components can fail.

Is the TC9177P IC a typical problem and a well-known trouble maker IC?
– No.

Have I seen TC9177P ICs fail?
– Yes, once or twice in thirty+ years.

Considering the amount of work done to the module you show, I’d say check the work that was done as that alone could have caused the problem.

Oh, – and don’t forget to replace that speaker relay. Cleaning its contacts will only provide a temporary solution, and leaving it open like that won’t help it in any way.

Martin

[quattttro]

Thanks for the reply, I will do some further testing if a replacement chip doesn’t solve the issue.

The relay cover is only off for testing. I checked there first for for the fault.

[quattttro]

I’ve replaced TC9177P, but the problem of no sound on the left channel remains. I get a perfect sine wave at the inputs for this chip (pin 5 & 16), but nothing on the first outputs for the left channel (pin 17 &4). The +/- 12V supply to the chip is right on and steady.

The only thing I can think of is the balance control is set to the max right channel, and this is saved despite disconnecting the 3V microprocessor board battery. I don’t have a proper remote for this unit, yet, but does this sound likely or possible?

 

[Glitch]

Do you have a logic analyzer (or oscilloscope) to check the DATA/CK/STROBE signals? Manually decoding the DATA packet will answer your “balance” question.

Are the chip grounds solid?

Glitch

[Die_Bogener]

Balance max to the right and no sound on left?

Quite normal. Everything ok.

Just center the balance.

Working without the lithium cell is a very bad idea.

[Beobuddy]

If the backup battery has been replaced I always perform a erasure of the memory. That set back the basic settings. After that you mostly have to set the FM display offset. But that’s easy.

[Glitch]

Beobuddy wrote:

Glitch, I do have an oscilloscope, will try to probe the signals, not sure what to look for though. Tested all of the grounds, all good. At this point, it might be best if i find a proper remote

Checking the DATA should be pretty straightforward (if you want to poke around while waiting for your remote to arrive). The diagrams below are from the cTC9177P datasheet.

Connect the scope to DATA, CK, and STROBE signals and “single trigger” the scope off the STROBE.

Once you have a data packet captured it can be decoded with the info above. There is also a more detailed description in the datasheet. It looks like two DATA packets will need to be captured, one for the L command and one for the R command, to debug possible balance issues.

Glitch

 

 

[quattttro]

Glitch, I do have an oscilloscope, will try to probe the signals, not sure what to look for though. Tested all of the grounds, all good. At this point, it might be best if i find a proper remote

If the backup battery has been replaced I always perform a erasure of the memory. That set back the basic settings. After that you mostly have to set the FM display offset. But that’s easy.

Beobuddy, I believe you need a remote to perform this reset.

[quattttro]

Thanks for the info, I just managed to resolve it though with an old Harmony remote. The balance was indeed set to full right channel. Everything working now.

[Glitch]

That is good to hear.

Just curious, what was the cause for the “irregular volume levels on the right” channel that you mentioned in the original post?

Glitch

 

[Beobuddy]

For erasing the memory you can use a Beo4, BL1000 or MCP.
For setting de FM display setting you’ll need a MCP. Only then you’ll get the frequency displayed. But then again, if you’re just a bit off the correct frequency while tuning with a Beo4 for instance, who will notice 😉
I have several MCP’s and Beo4’s laying around, so never thought of that issue. But with a Beo4 you can check and store the sound settings.

[quattttro]

If you look at the first post, you will see C54 is missing. I believe that was why it was behaving strangely. I forgot that one!

[Author]

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