Beocenter 9500 missing lights

[speedsixdave]

Hi all,

In attempting (with limited success so far!) to connect my Beocenter 9500 to a Beolab 3500 through an MCL cable, I think I’ve partially fried the 9500. I was getting sound through the BL3500 and cranked the volume up, then the volume lowered itself of its own accord and I have lost some of the lights on the BC9500.

If I press Sound I can still change the balance, bass, treble etc and the green scale shows fine but the words do not. Similarly on Tape (see image) I get a B and weird backwards L and not much else. And I no longer see any of the text or numbers on the bottom panel. Any ideas? It was all working fine until I started plugging stuff into the back….

[Guy]

speedsixdave wrote:

In attempting (with limited success so far!) to connect my Beocenter 9500 to a Beolab 3500 through an MCL cable, I think I’ve partially fried the 9500. I was getting sound through the BL3500 and cranked the volume up, then the volume lowered itself of its own accord and I have lost some of the lights on the BC9500.

The BC9500 will automatically reduce the volume if playing at too high a level. I am not sure whether it detects distortion or some other sort of overload, but this is usually a normal feature and I think that it is unlikely to be linked to the losing of lights.

speedsixdave wrote:

Similarly on Tape (see image) I get a B and weird backwards L and not much else.

Both those symbols are normal. The ‘B’ simply means that Dolby B noise reduction has been selected, either automatically by the tape or manually by you. Press ‘Programming’ and then ‘NR’ to cycle though Dolby ‘B’, ‘C’ or off. The inverted ‘L’ symbol shows which side of a tape is playing – press ‘Turn’ and it will reverse.

speedsixdave wrote:

And I no longer see any of the text or numbers on the bottom panel. Any ideas?

For CD, Tape or Radio, you should see numbers across the centre lower panel. Sources should show on the right lower panel. Is the lower panel loose – i.e does the glass lift up out of the plastic surrounds? Also do you have the Service manual – this shows how to remove the lower panel and run a test function including all visual indicators?

EDIT: Can you changes sources etc using a remote?

[Guy]

A further thought – are you sure that the text or numbers are supposed to be showing at that particular time? The BC9500 is designed to show only the functions/controls that are appropriate to the source that you are playing. Controls on the lower panels are arranged in three levels:

1. The light grey words etched on the surface.
2. Controls that only appear once you have made your choice from the first level. (eg ‘Stop’ only appears once you have started playing a Tape or CD)
3. Controls that only appear once you have made you choice from the second level.

[speedsixdave]

Hi Guy,

Thanks for the response. I use the tape so rarely I hadn’t realised about the B and backwards L so thanks for that!

Everything seems to work fine except the lights. I can change sources with a Beolink 1000 remote and do all the things it should – change radio stations, stop and start CDs, change tracks, alter bass, treble and balance and all that – but there is no visual indication of most of this stuff on the Beocenter. As far as I can see all the Level 2 and Level 3 lights are gone – see pic below while playing a CD. The controls work however, and I can change radio station or CD track directly on the BC by touching the bottom panel in approximately the right place.

I did some investigation of my dodgy home-made MCL cable and found a short-circuit between the pink (DC) and yellow (signal left) wires, and I think this has been the cause of my problem.

I’m hoping that I’ve blown a fuse only and that a simple fix will solve all my problems, for this week at least!

 

[Guy]

From looking at the circuit diagram, it looks like you have lost the 7v supply to display PCBs 42 (lower centre) and 43 (lower right), and possibly PCB 41 (lower left). 7V is also used for MCL power pins hence there’s your link to the possibly cause (as you identified). You really need the service manual to investigate the power supply further. (Join as a silver or gold member to download from this site!)

[speedsixdave]

Thanks very much for your help, Guy. That’s a great place to start looking.

Dave

[Author]

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