Pac Monitor Help

[ArcadeNoob]

So Ive got a PacMan in the original cabinet.  Everything is original.  I just had it serviced professionally(for another reason) and now, the monitor blinks a little bit; it squeezes inwards once or twice for a second or two every few games.  I was just playing it, and at the second cut scene where the ghost gets "stuck", the monitor went blank except for a thin white line through the center.  It came back about 30 seconds later, but Im wondering.......is it the beginning of the end? Any ideas for solutions? Thanks!

[SirPeale]

Sounds like it needs work.

If it's got the original Pac-Man monitor in it, it likely either has a (IIRC) WG4600 or an Electrohome G07 in it.

We'll need to know which it is to proceed from there.

[Ken Layton]

Common problem. You probably have a Wells-Gardner 19k4600 series monitor and it has bad solder joints causing the intermittent collapse. Your monitor definitely needs to be serviced----NOW.

[ArcadeNoob]

Anyway I can do it myself?  I dont have much more money to spend on it.  I will find out what monitor it is tomorrow; thanks!




Also, should I not play it in the meantime?


EDIT:  Its a WG 19K4606

[SirPeale]

Well...you'll need a soldering iron, if you don't have one already.  Good starter one is a Weller WLC100.

If you haven't soldered before, get a scrap circuit board somewhere and PRACTICE!!!!  There are a lot of tricks to soldering, so before you mess up your monitor, practice on something you don't care about.  Number one hint I can give you off the top of my head: solder flows *UP*.  You'll see what I mean.

If it becomes that big of a deal, post your location, perhaps there's a tech nearby that will do it for a little $$$.  Heck, I'd do it if you're close enough.

[ArcadeNoob]

Tampa area.  Also, let me say this.........I have a friend who knows how to solder, but has never worked on a machine.  Ever.  Do you think there are detailed instructions that I could pass on to him and have him successfully complete?  Is it a difficult job?  What actually needs to be done? Thanks!

[ArcadeNoob]

Anyone?

[Ken Layton]

This gets asked so often that I'm tired of answering.

 Please see the FAQ here and Google capkit instuctions/how to.

[ArcadeNoob]

So youre telling me it just needs a capkit, and thats it?

[Ken Layton]

Capkit and resolder any bad solder joints found (particularly at the daughter card connectors).