Weird Tektronix 2215 problem: single dot on screen, nothing else works - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: Gentlegiant
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2021, 06:56:50 am
content: Hey all, title is pretty descriptiveGot this one on ebay last week, it seemed to be able to produce a trace on the listing pictures, but when I got it all it does show a single dot on screen. After negotiating a partial refund with the seller, here I am with a broken scope.Vertical/horizontal offset does nothing. Tried sending a signal in, dot won't move. I tried every controls, it won't react to anything I tell it to do, except the focus knob, which has the super useful hability to make the dot bigger or smallerAnyone know what might be causing this? This is not my first electronics repair, but it'll be the first time I work on a scope, so any advices/insight would be appreciated!

author: trevatxtal
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2021, 07:29:27 am
content: 1 Looks like no x or y deflection.Look in to the x and y supply voltage to the amps.2 Or the find button is stuck on , this causes the same effect.I don't have the circuit to hand so unable at present to point in any one direction.Good luckTrevor

author: wn1fju
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2021, 12:20:38 pm
content: The first step in any test equipment repair (other than a thorough visual examination) should be to check all of the power supply voltages.I just fixed a similar analog oscilloscope exhibiting the same problem. The 12V supply read 15V and the -12V supply read -17.5V. It was a simple shorted pass transistor on the -12V line (the +12V is referenced to the -12V supply). Once that was corrected, the scope worked perfectly. I'm not saying that is the problem with yours, but checking the power supply is mandatory.

author: Gentlegiant
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2021, 02:17:23 pm
content: Voltage testing today it is then, I'll let you know how it went, thanks guys

author: Gentlegiant
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2021, 09:46:52 pm
content: So I tested my voltages, and I think I found the culprit: I'm supposed to get -8.56V on TP500 but I'm getting 2.6V. Service manual tells me to adjust a pot, but when I do I only get 0.2V more or 0.2 less. Definitely not supposed to do that, need to investigate further.There are other test points that aren't giving me the right values, but they all are pretty close (33V when I need 31.5V, 110V when I need 100V), so maybe once I fix the first one the others will follow. Or not, then I'll have some more work to do lol.Will update once I make some progress, but in the meantime any suggestion is appreciated

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2021, 12:02:10 am
content: Check C 972/976 and lift one end of the jumper W 976 to make sure if the voltage goes up (or down since it is the -ve).By lifting the jumper you will know if something is loading it or if one of those caps are leaking.

author: Gentlegiant
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2021, 12:23:25 am
content: Someone tell me if updating too often is a thing by the way, I'm trying to document the repairs as much as possible to help future generationsI have narrowed to problem down to this part of the board, which is the diode bridge that produces the +8.56 and -8.56 voltage. Top part is working perfect, I get 8.58V no problem.Bottom part is where the problem is at. I am getting 2.6V on the right side of L972 but -10V on the other. But wait it gets even weirder!I still get -10V when the scope is turned OFF.My guess is this is because C972 isn't discharging after being turned off, for some reasons I don't yet know. I am able to drop the voltage to 0 when I short it to ground (with a proper discharge probe of course)I am a bit stumped right now. Are the diodes the problem? Or could it be one of the two filter caps? Could also be the inductor, seeing how the voltage changes by 12V from one pin to the other.Oh and Andy, W976 don't look like a jumper at all, more like a small resistor or something, like a white diode shaped thingy. By "lift one end" do you mean I have to de-solder it?Anyway, I'm gonna take a break as I've been on this for the better part of my day. If anyone has an idea as to whats happening, let me know!

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2021, 12:34:12 am
content: L972 is open. Just jump it for test purposes. If your scope works and you're fussy about things, just replace the inductor.

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2021, 12:38:50 am
content: Yes, that is what I meant. From what you have observed, it looks like that C 976 may be leaking. But it is also possible that it is good but something beyond that is the culprit. If you lift one end of the W 976, it will be much easier to determine because, since the cap is still in circuit and any drop like that has to be because of the cap. If not, it is beyond that point more to the right which means it is some other part.

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2021, 12:40:07 am
content: Quote from: bdunham7 on January 30, 2021, 12:34:12 amQuite possible too.

author: fzabkar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2021, 12:56:58 am
content: I would try reflowing the solder at the inductor pins.

author: Gentlegiant
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2021, 01:23:00 am
content: IT'S ALIVE!!Well, almost.Jumping the inductor got it working (hell yeah, thanks bdunham and andy), I get a trace alright, but the scope won't draw on the lower 1/4 of the screen, it looks like it's clipping the wave. I thought it was the -9.3V rating I was getting, but I was able to adjust it to -8.56V using R946. Maybe I need to adjust another pot somewhere else. I'll get on that next, and I'll continue to update as I progress.Also, setting CH1 to GND and back to DC causes glitches in the display, like it cuts the V/div by half or something. It gets back to normal if I tap the switch a couple times without changing the setting. I'll have to look into that too but it's not my priority right now.I've included images of the "clipping" I'm speaking of below. Thank you guys again for your help!

author: Gentlegiant
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2021, 01:31:16 am
content: Quote from: fzabkar on January 30, 2021, 12:56:58 amThat did the trick, no need for that ugly jumper cable now, thanks man

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2021, 01:46:52 am
content: The ground switch issue may just be a cleaning issue.Does the clipping happen on both channels?What happens if you just leave the input open with the selector to 'GND', trigger to AUTO or LINE and then move the trace up and down with the vertical position knob? Can you move it off the bottom of the screen or does it hang up in the same spot?

author: Gentlegiant
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2021, 05:21:24 am
content: I think the same way about the switches, nothing some deoxit won't fix.Yep both channels are clipping at roughly the same point. I did your test, both channels stop moving with 1/4 of the screen left to cover whether they go up or down. Pic included below.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2021, 05:49:10 am
content: Quote from: Gentlegiant on January 30, 2021, 05:21:24 amI'm not completely clear on what you mean. Are you saying you can't adjust the trace off the upper side of the screen either?

author: Gentlegiant
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2021, 05:05:40 pm
content: Yep, I realise now that I am only able to draw on the top of the screen when I intentionally clip the wave by setting the V/div too low. When the V/div is adjusted correctly it clips at the same point bottom is clipping.I am including a video to better explain what I mean:Also is that humming sound normal?

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2021, 05:30:42 pm
content: Primary side power supply does not sound happy. Same as the 2235 I had which exploded shortly afterwards as described here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/tektronix-2235-repair-thread/Really not a fan of this series of scopes.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2021, 06:23:47 pm
content: Quote from: Gentlegiant on January 30, 2021, 05:05:40 pmNo!You need to address that immediately before you incur sudden catastrophic damage. When I work on these, I use an AC power supply that allows me to regulate voltage and see current (BK1655). You should find a way to measure the input current if you can. Also, check C906 (be careful, it can hold a good zap) by disconnecting or removing it, measuring its capacitance and leakage current.

author: Gentlegiant
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2021, 09:03:47 pm
content: Sounds good (no pun intended) I'll get to work on the hum sound right awayI'll try testing C906 and mesuring the scope input current, alltough I only have a multimeter in my shop at the moment, so I don't know if I can without buying more equipement... fingers crossed for C906 being the problemA user on another thread mentionned a bad diode bridge could also cause this issue so I'll add that to my list of tests to run

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2021, 09:09:31 pm
content: Quote from: Gentlegiant on January 30, 2021, 09:03:47 pmThis is not acceptable. EEVBlog has a 3-multimeter minimum. Also the justification of 'buying more equipment' is the main reason we are all here. Of course you need more equipment....to fix your existing equipment, among other things.

author: Gentlegiant
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2021, 09:11:45 pm
content: I'll have to get on that too then, I haven't bought any equipement since school, but I guess being one of the big boys mean having 3 multimeters and an extra scope lying around hahahaAlso C906 doesn't exist on my 2215? What cap did you mean? I'm guessing the huge one?

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2021, 10:16:45 pm
content: Quote from: Gentlegiant on January 30, 2021, 09:11:45 pmOK, I was looking at the wrong diagram. C937 perhaps?

author: Gentlegiant
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2021, 10:26:00 pm
content: Quote from: bdunham7 on January 30, 2021, 10:16:45 pmYes, this seems more likely, I'll have to do the tests tomorrow since I need a set of torx bits to remove the high voltage shield and my local canadian tire just closed for the dayAt least it's on sale at 12$ at the moment so I guess I'm in luck

author: MathWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2021, 06:56:44 am
content: Consider your self lucky, I wish I had that scope here. So I could put it on the pile. I guess I have a few scopes I could work on right now....1 with a lot of physical damage, 1 with a brunt PCB area, 3 that need real tune up's. But I better learn somewhere before I really tear them apart.This reminds me I need a bigger bench/shelf because I haven't used my CRT scopes in ages, and I'll appreciate them a lot more now.

author: Gentlegiant
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2021, 12:17:01 am
content: Quote from: MathWizard on January 31, 2021, 06:56:44 amThere are a lot lying around for pretty cheap! I originally got mine for 40$ on ebay, and got a 20$ refund when I told the seller it was damaged. It's a great project scope, you could practice your skills on one before getting to work on the other ones you have lying around since it's so cheapI got my torx bit set at the store this afternoon and was able to remove C937 fom the scope. Had a lot of trouble getting it out before figuring out it's a 5 pin cap.First time seeing one of those! If anyone know the reason it has 5 pins, let me knowI wasn't too sure how to test it so I just used my (only) multimeter to test every pin with every pin. None of them gave me any significant reading (no more than 3 nF). I made sure my multimeter was working correctly by testing other caps and it works fine. So I think it's safe to assume that cap is dead. No wonder the power supply was humming! Now I'll have to find a replacement for that huge, weird capacitor. I hope I can find one on mouser or digikey, otherwise I'm not too sure what I'll do. Maybe find one on ebay or in another dead scope or something. Or maybe one of you know a way to use another kind of cap in there? IdkI'll sleep on it and get back to work tomorrow. Pics of the cap included below!

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2021, 01:47:20 am
content: The pins just hold it in. The 4 outer ones are all connected to the negative, the other pin is positive. You can just use anything close that fits and mount it however you can. You might need to bridge the 4 places that the original outer pins were. Or you can disassemble and 'restuff' the capacitor with a smaller one inside for that authentic look.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2021, 05:15:52 am
content: Quote from: MathWizard on January 31, 2021, 06:56:44 amI rarely use mine, but it always gives me a warm fuzzy feeling to use one. When I was a kid I got to play with a couple of different Tek CROs and always thought they were SO amazing. They were way beyond my ability to afford back then though.

author: Per Hansson
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 01, 2021, 08:02:35 pm
content: As bdunham7 says you can just fit a normal capacitor there.Or if you want to go all in you can design an adapter PCB like in the linked thread below.I link it also because there might be some other interesting details in that thread.https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?p=845656#post845656

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2021, 08:24:31 pm
content: Two of the holes are just the right pitch to squeeze an EPCOS can in there with some creative wiggling of the plastic panel that fits over the inlet filter board.

author: Gentlegiant
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2021, 04:46:00 pm
content: Hi all, sorry I didn't update earlier, I only just received the replacement cap, a big snowstorm delayed the delivery!Plugged it in (thanks for telling me what the 5 pins did everyone!), nothing exploded, but the hum is still there. And I know why...I realized (after ordering) that I wasn't measuring the old cap the right way at all... I left the probes on there for 1-2 seconds tops when it took more than 8-10 to get a reading...I feel stupid for making such a newbie mistake, but hey this is how you learn! I now know how to measure a cap properly lol.While looking at the service manual I found something interesting:TP500 and W975 are fine, but I'm getting:215Ω @ W985518Ω @ W9659.7KΩ @ W966.This doesn't seem right at all, so that's what I'll investigate next.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2021, 05:40:11 pm
content: Definitely time to find a way to measure the input current to the scope. Just be careful setting that up.You also can lift the power supply rails one at a time as they describe and see if the hum goes away or if the input current drops.