Mortal Kombat 4 arcade buttons non-responsive in-game

[notyetr8ed]

I did what my wife warned me not to do and purchased a Mortal Kombat 4 arcade machine off of a guy who seemed honest and had posted it on craigslist. Paid him extra to deliver it, but when he got it into my garage it ended up doing something weird with the keys. He fooled around with it for about a half hour, and finally got it working, claiming that there can be a host of issues that have to be adjusted after a machine is moved. I didn't want the poor guy to have come all the way out and then decide not to buy it, and it seemed to be working great when he left. I rebooted the machine, however, later that same day and the keys are now completely non-responsive in the game itself. If you go into diagnostic mode and do switch diagnostics all the keys respond and seem to be working, but when the game itself starts the keys do not respond at all.

I know this is a real long shot, but if anyone has any idea what could cause this I would greatly appreciate any advice! Trying to get this machine working for my kids (and so my wife doesn't kill me for getting ripped off on craigslist -- they guy who sold it to me told me tough luck and stopped responding to any communication).

[paigeoliver]

Games love to develop problems when moved. Connections come loose, pots drift ever so slightly, etc. I once carefully wheeled a working game across the room and ended up having to replace the power cord on the thing!

By keys do you mean buttons?

Have you checked your voltages? If not then you shouldn't do anything else until you do that. If you don't own a multimeter then don't do anything else with the game until you buy one. If you don't know how to check the voltages then use google because that is what it is there for. Almost any problem could be voltages. I almost suspect this one could be since your inputs seem to work in test mode and not once you start a game. Could be a low voltage situation driven lower by the sound coming on. You also can't really trust the thing in test mode that tells you if the voltage is ok or not (I seem to remember MK being one of the few games that had that feature but I could be remembering incorrectly).

Is it coining up? If so then some of the inputs are indeed working outside test mode.

Does the start button work? If not then how are you starting the game, and if so then at least some of the buttons are working outside test mode.

Do the joysticks work? Outside test mode.

Have you tried a second jamma board in the cabinet? To verify the problems are with the board and not the cabinet. If you don't have a second board then buy one.

[yotsuya]

I did what my wife warned me not to do and purchased a Mortal Kombat 4 arcade machine off of a guy who seemed honest and had posted it on craigslist. Paid him extra to deliver it, but when he got it into my garage it ended up doing something weird with the keys. He fooled around with it for about a half hour, and finally got it working, claiming that there can be a host of issues that have to be adjusted after a machine is moved. I didn't want the poor guy to have come all the way out and then decide not to buy it, and it seemed to be working great when he left. I rebooted the machine, however, later that same day and the keys are now completely non-responsive in the game itself. If you go into diagnostic mode and do switch diagnostics all the keys respond and seem to be working, but when the game itself starts the keys do not respond at all.

I know this is a real long shot, but if anyone has any idea what could cause this I would greatly appreciate any advice! Trying to get this machine working for my kids (and so my wife doesn't kill me for getting ripped off on craigslist -- they guy who sold it to me told me tough luck and stopped responding to any communication).

Sounds like you got a tail light warranty.

"Once you can't see my tail lights, the warranty is up...."

[DeLuSioNal29]

First thing:  Don't panic.   

Sounds like there are some contacts dirty.  Voltages are good to check (if you know how).  But in the meantime, buy yourself some contact cleaner (you can find them at auto parts stores)  http://wd40specialist.com/products/contact-cleaner/

Make sure game is unplugged remove the harness, give both sides a spray.  LET DRY COMPLETELY.  Do the same for the  other connectors on the board.  Do one at a time so you don't connect anything wrong.

Also, where are you located?  If you're near one of us I'm sure we can take a look for a fellow member!

Good Luck!

DeLuSioNaL29

[Malenko]

test another jamma board, it helps narrow down the issue of being a problem with the cab, or the MK board.

[paigeoliver]

Also once you get that second board be aware that you will probably have to adjust the sync on your monitor after you plug it in as that era of Midway hardware ran 53hz while most games run 60hz.

I suggest grabbing either a cheap title that uses joysticks like one of these.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RIM-ROCKIN-BASKETBALL-WORKING-JAMMA-ARCADE-GAME-PCB-board-C149-/152000601163

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FIGHTERS-HISTORY-JAMMA-BOARD-WORKS-GREAT-/222022478779

Or one of those 19 in 1 boards.