Can anyone help? Right channel on stereo reciever cuts out

[FulciLives]

Hello

I have an old (probably about 11 years now) SONY ES stereo dolby surround sound reciever. The thing was very expensive and very well made ... it's DAMN heavy ... built like a tank!

Anyway it just recently started doing something VERY annoying ...

The RIGHT stereo channel (I normally only have it in STEREO mode) will cut in and out. Usually when it cuts out I have to play with the volume turning it way up then down then up then down etc. so the volume keeps "spiking" and eventually doing this causes the sound to come back out of the RIGHT stereo channel again ... at least for a time.

Because of the nature of the problem I'm thinking it might be something easy to fix ... like a bad or loose "contact" or something inside maybe needs cleaned out (I'm a smoker so I'm sure the inside isn't pretty).

I'm willing to open it up (haven't yet though) to "poke around" inside but of course I haven't a clue what to look for etc.

I don't suppose anyone can offer some help?

I'm going through a tough financial time here can't afford to get it fixed or buy a new reciever even if it is just a cheap $150 to $200 model.

Also ... the power buttom on the unit hardly ever works (once in a blue moon) but the remote still works fine for turning it off and on so really I don't care about that at all just bringing it up in case it could somehow be related i.e., some kind of "power supply" problem?

Oh I guess I should also note that the volume knob on the reciever is an analog type knob not a "digital" knob with "volume steps" but a "smooth turning" knob. The remote turns the knob too but when I need to spike it the remote is not "fast" enough for the purpose and I use the knob on the unit.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[redwudz]

Without the proper electronic test equipment and the knowledge, it may be a little hard to fix yourself. But there are some things you can try.

If you think it's related to a problem with the volume control itself or a connection to it; Pull off the case. Make sure that the speakers remain plugged in. Usually the power supply is enclosed, so there's not much danger of shock, but don't stick anything in there but a plastic rod.

Probe around the volume control, maybe a loose connection. If the control has any openings, you could try some 'canned air' to blow out anything loose in there. If it is a failed volume control, I wouldn't recommend trying to replace it yourself because it's difficult to find something off the shelf that will fit and work properly.

I would at least try probing around for loose connections. You might get lucky and find a connection that could be resoldered.

The power switch probably isn't causing the problem.

[Ripper2860]

If it is a mechanical volume control (i.e. potentiometer), do as stated above -- blow it out with canned air, but follow-up with contact cleaner spray. Available at any electronics store or Radioshack.

[FulciLives]

Well I opened it up and ... without a picture (no digital cam here) ... I'm not sure how to explain ...

There is a big "block" thing behind the volume knob with all kinds of wires plugged into it. When I pull up or down on the volume knob (not turning it but actually try to force it up or down by "wiggling it") this thing behind it moves up and down accordingly and when that happens the sound cuts in and out.

So I guess it's just a bad contact but I sure don't know how to solve it. I can't see how the knob is really connected to it and all the wires seem to be plugged in just fine.

I was experimenting to see if there was a position that I could find that would keep the sound from cutting off. I did this by "wiggling" the knob up and down and the big thing behind it (inside) that connects to it. This sure made the sound cut in and out but how to keep it in that "JUST SAFE" position where it stays in and not cuts out?

Well I found that if I put something under the front right corner (where the knob is) that lifts the reciever so that the front right HUB FOOT is just off of the ground the sound hardly ever cuts off (at least in my limited testing tonight). I actually have something that is holding up that corner by the "case" of the reciever ... it's not touching the HUB FOOT. So maybe pressure on the HUB FOOT makes that thing behind the volume knob push up a bit and it cuts out. What the hell do I know! hehehe

I don't have any canned air at the moment but I will buy some and maybe some of that contact cleaner spray. In fact I'm thinking that contact cleaner spray might be key here?

Hate to sound stupid but what do I ask for ... is it really called "contact cleaner spray" and do I have to be carefull what inside I spray it on?

and before you start laughing too hard I have used canned air before thank you so much!

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[redwudz]

Sounds like you've made progress by isolating the problem. Most likely need a replacement of the volume control. As Ripper2860 says, you could use contact cleaner IF the control has a opening. If not, forget it. They used to have a 'volume control lube' years ago, but the contact cleaner might help, just spray a little into the control, it should have a tube extension. You can try a local Radio Shack or better a local electronics store for 'contact cleaner'. I would still try the 'air' first. It sounds like the volume control is about to die. If you can do a temporary fix with propping the case, maybe the best.

EDIT: I worked as an electronic tech for awhile and to this day I hate repairing my own equipment. I have a great 120w Pioneer Amp and the output capacitors have a intermittent open that results in noise in one channel. It's still in the closet. I bought a replacement for half the price. Repair has gotten too expensive in this 'disposable' age. Too bad, a lot of good solid equipment is headed for the landfill.

[FulciLives]

Yeah I have a feeling once I get a new job (hopefully soon) that I'll just buy a replacement though I'd have to spend at least $300 to get something ... that to me anyways ... is as good (or close enough to as good) as this old SONY ES

Even the cheapest SONY ES one can buy new today is way too rich for my blood

I just hope I don't get sick of it before I can save the money and buy some cheap $150 POS.

So far it seems to be working OK as is but I'm going to try the canned air and contact spray. Hopefully that will fix it for good ... or at least long enough for me to save up for a decent replacement.

Call me an elitest but cheap A/V equipment is one of the few things I detest and cannot tolerate. Reminds me of a friend I used to make fun of because he was so proud of his purchase of a FISHER stereo system

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[FulciLives]

I looked at the radio shack website and found this:

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=64-4315

I guess that is what I need?

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[redwudz]

I know how you feel. I had a very good quality SVHS 19" TV a few years ago. Had an intermittent problem with losing the picture. Seemingly minor problem. I call a shop. They would 'evaluate' the problem for $80US, their minimum charge. No charge if they couldn't repair it. Turned out to be a $.30US fuse that with their system would have cost me $80US to replace. The tech let me off the hook when I talked to him and reduced it to $20US, but it still hurt. Seems $80US an hour minimum was the going rate. Hate to think what it is now. And if you have to ship it to a repair facility, it cost even more. The set cost $500US new. I replaced it a year later with a cheap 27" TV for $227. If it blows, I send it to a landfill. ($20US locally). I'd hate to have any quality vacuum tube equipment anymore, probably nobody could repair them for a reasonable cost. Anyway, I wish you luck with your problem.

[tekkieman]

I looked at the radio shack website and found this:

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=64-4315

I guess that is what I need?

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

The only potential problem with that product is the lube part. The pot in a receiver is different from a tv tuner. With the fine wire wrapping of a pot, I might worry that the lube in that spray would gum up after some time. If they have something similar without the lube, that would be better.

In a pinch, you could even use freeze spray or air with the can held upside down, but only as a last resort.

[redwudz]

The RS stuff should work, but as tekkieman mentions, it's maybe not the best. I would still go ahead and try it as long as there is an access opening. Most all volume control 'pots' use a carbon substance coated onto a paper type surface with a brass wiper. Wirewound pots are only generally used for higher power control circuits nowadays.

[flaninacupboard]

cheap AV equipmnet..... *shudders*
I had a great argument with my brother, he thought his £200 5 disc multi changer plastic stereo sounded great, much better than mine. he cited the basic reason as "mine is 400watts, yours is only 120." of course at least 200watts of his power figure was dedicated to blinking lights and buttons
so i dragged my floor standers, cd player and amp up the stairs, gave hs a chance at full volume, then stuck mine on about half volume. of course it made his sound like it was playing inside a plastic dustbin
while my NAD amp may be "only" 120watts, at least they don't lie about that figure.

[tekkieman]

The RS stuff should work, but as tekkieman mentions, it's maybe not the best. I would still go ahead and try it as long as there is an access opening. Most all volume control 'pots' use a carbon substance coated onto a paper type surface with a brass wiper. Wirewound pots are only generally used for higher power control circuits nowadays.

Well, he did say it was an "old" receiver. They were still using wirewounds 10 years ago. I would guess by Fulci's description of the weight that his is at least 15+ years old.

Even with carbon based pots, I would worry about gumming, but if he just wants it to survive until he can replace it then probably not a big deal.

[FulciLives]

I said it was an 11 year old SONY ES reciever although now that I think about it ... it might even be as much as 13 years old.

I'd be happy if the spray helped for at least a few months ... if it ultimately is a bad idea but gets me by a couple of months then I can get a replacement.

Thing is heavy ... in fact I haven't moved it in a while and it surprised me how damn heavy it was! hehehe

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[flaninacupboard]

my amp is about 12 kilos, my laser player is 14 kilos

[tekkieman]

It's not that I disagree with redwudz, he's right. Should be ok. Not first choice, but should get you by in a pinch. Of course, it may not be dirty, could be that there are wear gaps where the rotator arm meets the substrate. But, easiest first step is to try to clean it.

Good luck. Let us know.

[kiki]

The evils of smoking.
I too am a puffer and it causes havoc with all kinds of electronics.
I also had a sony amp similar to the one you mention.
Mine was doing the exact same thing, but with the left speaker.
I used the tuner/cleaner from radio shack and it lasted almost 2 years.
I cleaned it again and it lasted another 2 years or so.
I cleaned it one more time.
I finally upgraded to new equipment and gave the sony away.
It still is working to this day, the guy I gave it to dosen't smoke.
I also managed to clog up the laser on my pioneer burner.
Had to clean the smoke of of it and voila!. Perfect burns again.
Go ahead and use the tuner/cleaner. It should be just fine.
Best of luck

kiki

[flaninacupboard]

i always wondered if smoking would **** up electronics - now i know! so if it's crappy enough to yellow your wallpaper, ruin your sofa, gum up your volume nob, and blind you lasers AFTER it's come out your lungs, do you really want to be dong it?