please help a forum newb, monitor noise...

[jasonmvt]

Some time ago I purchased a 25" (Sanyo, or samsung-the writing is too messed up to read) inch TMNT cabinet that had been converted into a Golden Tee Golf machine.  Initially I purchased the cab to make a mame machine, but the friends started playing golden tee and threatened murder if I gutted it  

The monitor's picture has always looked good, but lately when someone smacks the panel while rolling the trackball, the screen would flicker (like the picture would compress into a 1/8" strip in the middle) a few times and return to normal in a second or two.  It has now become more and more frequent, and now a horrbile sizzle sound accompanies the on screen antics.  The geometry, brightness, and color are all still perfect when it isn't glitching, but the horrible noise along with the screen going crazy has made me scared to turn it on anymore.  It seems almost like a grounding issue, but that is just a guess.  I am still wanting to do the conversion to a full mame cab, but this has me sidetracked.

I apologize if this is in bad form, or the wrong forum; you'll have to excuse my newness to this board.  It's just that's it's so hard to find anyone with knowledge in these matters in my area.  I know game boards and the inner workings of the cabinets, it's just that monitors have always been a scary evil that intimidates me too much to 'poke around' any help/ideas would be appreciated.

[jasonmvt]

*UPDATE*

After checking again there is definately a hot, electrical smell, and I could swear there was some smoke, but there is still a bright clear picture, and no sizzle/smells when the screen isn't glitching out.  


Someone, anyone! please help....

[IG-88]

Don't know if this would be any help or not, but if you can get ahold of RandyT or dhansen as seen in this thread;

http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=4;action=display;threadid=5448;start=msg49066#msg49066

I'm pretty sure they could help. They are both in a "league of their own" when it comes to monitor probs. in my opinion.  Very knowledgeable indeed......

[jasonmvt]

Thanks for the reply!  I will read up a little more and see if anyone has had a similar scenario, but I am sure they get pestered enough as is. (but... If you guys happen to read this... feel free to chime in    )

It's hard for me to diagnose where the 'sound/smell/smoke' is coming from cause i obviously cannot leave it switched on when it seems to be burning up, and like i said earlier, i'm not just diving right in and prodding different parts to find out.   But anyways, thanks again for the info.

[IG-88]

Ya keep searchin' someone just had this same/similiar prob a while back. You might try CitznFish FAQ if you haven't already. It's here http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=5361

[rampy]

I highly suggest checking out the RGVAC (rec.games.video.arcade.collectors usenet group...)

google groups search

I am most definitely not a monitor expert... but i did spend most of my friday reading every post there since 1998 regarding vertical hold problems on arcade monitor... and stayed at a holiday inn express...

If it ONLY happens when the monitor is phsycially jolted in some way... it *could* be a loose ground or a loose solder joint somwhere... (this is why people recommend reflowing all the solder joints as a "Troubleshooting" tip)

I believe the symptom you are describing (if not my first 2 suggestions)  have some roots in the deflection transistor  area ( I coudn't tell you which (horiz or vertical))

*Shrug* if you can't get comfortable with the high voltage (danger danger!) electronics repair/troubleshooting... most TV repair places could handle the issue (as a TV and arcade monitor are fundamentally the same electroncially  for the mjost part)

Good luck!

Rampy

[jasonmvt]

Thanks for all the input guys, it's nice to hear some constructive advice!

It started when 'bumping' the monitor, but now it does it at random times every 90 seconds or so, and the added dilemma of the 'sizzling' noise and smoke has made it difficult to pinpoint the location (I don't want to leave it on and damage something else)   I suppose I will read up some more, and maybe call some tv repair shops for some ideas/prices.

I guess it sorta scares me because most things that go wrong with my arcade games, I have a pretty good idea as to what a repair/replacement cost would be.  With this, I can't even tell where the problem is coming from.  Beyond a cap kit, monitor repair pricing is all over the chart.