Sony STR-V6 VU meters not working

[Greg86z28]

I just picked up a STR-V6 and it appears that the VU meters are functioning as they should. With this model, the right channel meter can also serve as a signal strength for radio tuning, which works properly, which leads me to believe that the meters maybe aren't "gunked up" or stuck. However, neither the right or left channel meter work in terms of reading the "watts/channel". They just sit at zero. There is some very faint movement, but nothing noticeable unless your sitting and staring at it.

I'm not really certain how to debug this. Any links or tips would be greatly appreciated. I've traced the wires from the meters down to the circuit board where they are soldered. There are three posts L, R and GRND. The L and R posts have the respective wires soldered on, but there is nothing soldered to the ground post (it doesn't look like anything was ever there to begin with though). I haven't ripped it apart yet to see where these go on the underside of the board. I've measured the VDC at the meters and I don't really read anything besides 'noise'.

Thanks in advance

Greg

 

[ABEAR]

I must start by saying I know ZERO about this receiver, however on my Onkyo It has a very similar set up where the power meter also functions as a signal meter. There is a sensor in the tuning knob that reads capacitance(the knob can sense when you are touching it), on my Onkyo there is a sensitivity setting switch on the back. If this is not set correct the sensor in the tuning knob always thinks you are touching it, leading the watt function of the meter not to work, it always thinks its tuning and the meters don't work right.

This may not apply to your receiver, as I said I dont know **** about your model, but if the signal strength is working and the meter needle moves, its probably not the meter.

 

[century tek]

Did you happen to notice the meter power/signal button between the tuning and volume controls? You didn't mention it so I thought I would.

It's possible that it could have dirty contacts so a deox treatment wouldn't hurt.

This is from a website I searched:
http://www.thevintageknob.org/SONY/sonyvault/STRV765/STRV765.html

"Selling abundantly in Europe, not as much in the US and not at all in Japan - this first "STR-V" series was export-only".

Is yours a 240 volt version? This could also answer a few questions.

 

[SoCal Sam]

There are a pair of meter adjustment pots that lose contact causing dead meters. Simply spray, work the trimmer, and then return to original position.

 

[Greg86z28]

I must start by saying I know ZERO about this receiver, however on my Onkyo It has a very similar set up where the power meter also functions as a signal meter. There is a sensor in the tuning knob that reads capacitance(the knob can sense when you are touching it), on my Onkyo there is a sensitivity setting switch on the back. If this is not set correct the sensor in the tuning knob always thinks you are touching it, leading the watt function of the meter not to work, it always thinks its tuning and the meters don't work right.

This may not apply to your receiver, as I said I dont know **** about your model, but if the signal strength is working and the meter needle moves, its probably not the meter.

Hi ABEAR,
With the Sony, there is actually a button you push that activates/deactivates the tuning strength meter functionality. That Onkyo having a capacitance style sounds pretty cool!

Did you happen to notice the meter power/signal button between the tuning and volume controls? You didn't mention it so I thought I would.

It's possible that it could have dirty contacts so a deox treatment wouldn't hurt.

This is from a website I searched:
http://www.thevintageknob.org/SONY/sonyvault/STRV765/STRV765.html

"Selling abundantly in Europe, not as much in the US and not at all in Japan - this first "STR-V" series was export-only".

Is yours a 240 volt version? This could also answer a few questions.

Honestly, I haven't checked if it's 240 or 120V, but it does work fine, just not the meters. I will look into this.

I do know about the button to activate the tuning strength meter. (Hey, it's always smart to start with the basics!)

I've actually traced the meter wiring to that button. There is some circuitry behind it where the right channel also goes and depending on what position the button is in determines what signal is sent to the meter ("power" or signal strength)

There are a pair of meter adjustment pots that lose contact causing dead meters. Simply spray, work the trimmer, and then return to original position.

Are these on/behind the meter? Or are they located somewhere on the circuit boards? Not to sound too needy or incapable though, my strategy would be to continue to trace where the power signal wires go?

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[SoCal Sam]

,,,Are these on/behind the meter? Or are they located somewhere on the circuit boards? Not to sound too needy or incapable though, my strategy would be to continue to trace where the power signal wires go?...

I've owned multiple V5-7's, some with "dead" meters. My suggestion worked for me and is the likely solution for your V6.