MK1 display problems

So over the weekend the display on my Mk1 has stopped working. The light on the side of the display pulses in and out, like it's on standby mode, but it's still playing music and the controls are still responsive. I haven't had a chance to take it out of the car and test it on AC power or anything yet, but I was wondering if anyone has come across this before and knows how to resolve it. Cheers.

I haven't ever laid my hands on an MK1, but I assume it has a VFD on it, possibly the same as the MK2s. Have you checked to see if the heater wires are still glowing red? It's possible you've blown a fuse (if it has any) and then these would likely not be glowing. To see them you would have to power the unit in a dark room and look at the bare VFD for dark red faintly glowing wires running across the display.

Good luck,
Stu

From what I've seen of the Mk2s (which admittedly isn't much) it looks like the displays are very similar. But would that cause the led to pulse like when it's on standby?

I was also very lucky, someone broke a window on my car on the weekend, presumably to get in/steal it, but the alarm has a glass break sensor, so neither the car or anything in it was taken.

I think that the MK1 and MK2 VFD units are similar but not exactly the same. At least on mine, the "fill nipple" was in a different place. Don't know if that means anything.

The following entry in the FAQ is geared toward the MK2, but perhaps might help you with the MK1 if you take into account that all the electronics will be different:

http://riocar.org/modules.php?op=modload...;faqent=223#223

Also make sure you didn't break off or damage any components on the back side of the MK1 display board. For instance if trying to pull out hard drives the wrong way.

When dismantling the player, always follow the instructions carefully.

It's been a while, but if it won't come out of sleep mode, I seem to remember that there's a bent leaf in the power socket. The socket needs replacing.

Thing is, it's not technically in sleep mode, only the display appears to be. Everything else still works as normally, just nothing shows on the display and the light pulsates.

Did you try just reflashing the software?

No, not yet, I've been waiting for the weekend to do anything, so I might have a look at it today.

Finally got to have a look at it, and sure enough, it's a blown fuse on the main board. Anyone know any details about what kind of fuse it is so I can try replacing it? Would it be possible to replace it with an inline automotive fuse so that if it were to blow again soldering wouldn't be required?