TurboDuo laser doesn't fire and disc won't spin SOLVED

[MobiusStripTech]

Hey All,

I am trying to restore a seriously messed up turbo duo that someone hacked apart and tried to fix themselves. Needless to say they did more damage than good. Anyways I repaired a number of damaged components, replaced some traces, did a recap, etc.

On the HuCard side everything is golden now. On the CD side, the laser never fires, but it does track to the center and focus up and down. CD never spins either, I assume because the laser isn't actually firing.

I tried replacing the laser, no luck same behavior. Replaced both BA6290A's, no luck. I am open to suggestions, thoughts, voodoo magic?

Solution: Desoldered laser connectors and and resoldered them.

[NichlasEk]

Maybe you have already checked, but does the motor spin if you give it say 5v? And also, did you try the calibration guide? Sometimes if the spindel is to low the disc wont spin.

[MobiusStripTech]

Yeah the motor spins if I apply 5v and ground. And I did already try making pot adjustments but no luck there.

[NichlasEk]

If you cant see the red light and you have checked the end of travel switch on the sled, tis page might be of help: https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=8926.msg379423#msg379423

The Steve talks about the mirror circuit. Might be that the laser cant see the disc and therfore dosnt spin.

[MobiusStripTech]

Yeah that gives me somewhere to look. I am betting it's an issue with trace damage, I was just trying to figure out where to go next. Appreciated. I will report back with what I find.

[MobiusStripTech]

Got it up and running. Must have had a bad solder joint on the connector. I sucked out all the solder and then flowed it with fresh. Now it's firing and spinning. Time to adjust some pots. Thanks guys.