Sega Saturn Repair No Video Display Fix Working - YouTube

How to Fix Sega Saturn with No Video Output. A detailed tutorial video on how to fix a Sega Saturn that does not display any video or audio. This type of fault was fixed by replacing some capacitors. In this video I will show you how to do it and exactly what caps to replace.
Please comment if you have any questions. Share and Like.... and of course Subscribe to see more tutorials.
Find us here www.globalgarage.com.au/

[@lamtatyan]

I owe you zillions of thanks. You won't know how devastated I was when my beloved Japanese model Sega Saturn white was out of order. So I followed your method to replace the three capacitors. Firstly I replaced CE37 so as to take my chance that by replacing one capacitor could solve the problem, but of course I am not that lucky. Then I replaced CE20 and CE21. I even had to use 25V 10uf tantalum capacitors as I could not find the traditional electrolytic capacitors. I just couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the screen appeared again. Thank you. YOU ARE GREAT!

[@xreel1591]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS REPLY i did the same thing and mine works now too these tiny ones do leak it seems.

[@Sergio_L.C.]

@@xreel1591 which model do you have? I have a japanese model 1 and a US model 1, both with the same problem, aparentely the US one has never been opened, until now.

[@luckyseven8572]

Just repaired my saturn (Pal Mod2) thanks to your video. Fault was power ok, but black screen and no disc activity. I first replaced the 3 caps like in your video with no result. Then I replaced the other caps near it+ the cap nearest to battery. When I pulled this one out it was obvious one leg came loose really easily. I replaced them and It works! Moral of the story: if you want to sure, replace all of those suckers. But do it in stages, so it easier to backtrack if you make a mistake.

[@s8n187]

nice fix , great to see a fellow Aussie fixing Consoles etc..........ive seen multiple times Saturns with no video in forums , i will link them to this video keep up the good work.

[@GlobalGarageAus]

Thanks! Yep the NTSC Saturns suffer from bad caps compared to PAL, so it's a common issue

[@havoc010101]

Global Garage, I just had my Sega Saturn go out me guess I will be replacing capacitors to see if it will game again. Do you have the part number for capacitors that are an exact replacement for the stock ones? Great video, keep the content coming!

[@YNGBLD80]

Great vid Darren clear plenty of info and well delivered mate, I've just started tinkering around with console stuff so look forward to gaining more knowledge from your channel, if you ever get a chance love to see a similar PS1 vid as same deal from my end have power but not picture, keep attacking mate Franky

[@GlobalGarageAus]

Thanks for the feedback! I've got about 8 PS1 consoles to look at soon, so if I run into a similar no video issues i'll be sure to film it and upload it for you. It does sound like caps though. If you've got a soldering iron you could just have a go. Pretty easy to swap caps out.

[@YNGBLD80]

No dramas mate, cheers I'll have a crack and sing out if I get stuck champ..

[@lazyjackal5528]

Thanks for the video! i used it on an American model 1. I think it's VASG revision motherboard though, so the caps in question were SMD, so they didn't really show the bulging typical with through hole caps. I replaced them with some cheap generic caps for now, do you have a recommendation for some quality ones? Subbed by the way!

[@baruchjn]

Insightful, am gonna try it on mine, It looks like a similar problem

[@liam28rowe]

Cheers for the video. I'm having the same issue, no video. Can I ask why you replaced the caps that you did?

[@HEAV830711]

thanks so much, that working for me

[@artnos]

Im having the same problem which capicator did you change?

[@vintagesegaoz4411]

I've been working on a few late model 1's (HST-3210s) and some model 2's. What I've found is a clothes peg works perfectly to hold the lid switch in.

[@endofdays1976]

Hi my friend , great video... Question I have a sega saturn model 1 and like most got power led on no picture no sound nothing ... My guess it's ps board (PSU) tested it the volts read pin 1 11.94v pin 2 5.27v pin 3 5.28v pin 4 nothing then pin 5 ground by looking at your video it the voltage is to high on mine ??? Can you help is the regulator faulty ? Would you say... its been temperamental some time it work then not changed the cr2032 battery still the same kind regards

[@MrKrimstah]

thanks for the video , another Aussie with the same issue , do you think you'll show the power supply mod in the future ? running off Aussie mains ?

[@GlobalGarageAus]

Thanks. Yep I plan to do that soon

[@duhmez]

I have this issue btu I am not yet sure if it will output sound or if the disc drive does anything. Model 2 usa model

[@DaveDoc1984]

Hey Global Garage, Would you be able to take a look at my video on my V-Saturn which has a weird issue with the screen flashing?

[@GlobalGarageAus]

Dave's Game Room Hey Dave, I just had a look and left a comment. Looking forward to your follow up repair video to see how it worked out.

[@dandrawsit4915]

My Saturn shows video and audio but I have to shove the cable really far in so that it works properly, is my port bad or something??

[@RaydinAE11]

I hope you are out there. I have a Victor Saturn where the audio/video output fried an audio channel in port on my Bandridge RGB scart switcher. There is a terrible hum sound, the video is low contrast and fading. I will give the caps a look. Also, I hooked up a Brooke controller adapter and crazy sounds and signals happened. So there has a to be a bad loop somewhere.

[@RaydinAE11]

It's a model 2 VA9

[@GlobalGarageAus]

Yes I’m here. I’d guess a cap has shorted to ground. I’d start replacing caps and test again. It could be a can of worms but you have to start with aging capacitors and try again. Fingers crossed for you.

[@sameash3153]

I'm getting disc spinning but no video. I think it's the output jack, it looks like its warped and the AV plug has to be forced into it.

[@DARK__KING]

thanks for the video i hope this fix my console . i have a way you can converts psu to work 220v if you are interested ?

[@adilator]

Nice work as usual. This reminds me I have to go back to my consoles in storage and lay them upside down especially the original Xbox so that if a cap leaks, the acid wouldn't go on the motherboard. Also, I already built a custom power supply for a US saturn, only I built it on the inside so that it looks stock. It's was really fun.

[@GlobalGarageAus]

Get your consoles out of storage and start playing them again! It would be good to see the custom PSU you made. I've got the parts now, so I'll make one this week and post up the video.

[@adilator]

Consoles in storage are either redundant or ones I don't really care for. For the saturn psu, I took all the components out of the original fried PCB and stuck the innards of a laptop type power supply that has 5v and 12v to it. I fed the 5v directly to the saturn and then fed the 12v into two separate step down converters, one outputing 3.3v and another 9v. all wired to the original loom. it actually looks stock even on the inside if you didn't know what the original PSU looks like.

[@GlobalGarageAus]

Very nice! Have you got any photos of that?

[@GadgetUK164]

Great job! Seems like the Japanese Saturns nearly always suffer bad caps, whereas the European Saturns don't?!?! Must be a temperature thing, or maybe they used different caps where ever they were made.

[@GlobalGarageAus]

+GadgetUK164 thanks mate. Yep I agree, the PAL consoles do seem a LOT more reliable. Could just be the brand of caps they used? I'll dig up a faulty cap and see what brand it was.

[@SerdceDanko]

​@@GlobalGarageAus Model 2 versions are surely worse than 1, especially these which was made in Taiwan.

[@ChechelEXGBR]

let me clarify a doubt: my Japanese model 2 saturn (which is the same as yours, since it is with 5-pin source and JVC ENR 011A drive) it only gives image after 3 or even 9 minutes on, has been changed the capacitor ... nothing .. everything was looked and nothing ... what kind of problem this console has after all @Global Garage ? Sorry to bother you.

[@captincaveman]

My colour is messed up on mine and the text is double ? Everything else is fine any ideas how to fix it ?

[@chrisw8069]

Just do a full recap whenever there are issues with classic consoles. Fixes most issues.

[@Michael-R1Arone]

I bought a pal saturn model 2 from a friend of mine and my problem is: Αs a console it works very properly and it's reading discs fine now the problem is that when I turn on the console for an unknown reason it's pressing buttons by itself (it's not from the controller because I have 2 and works perfectly with my other one ) it also do that even without the controller plugged. The buttons that is pressing is up,left and start for sure and it might be x,y. The previous owner told me that it worked just fine then he stored it for 5-6 years and then one day tried to boot it up and did that. I have to mention that he turn on the console couple times without the battery. I ve changed the battery but nothing it keeps the data and time but the problem remains. I ve also checked the power board and main board for dead capacitors or any rust between the chip pins but it seams to be fine. Any ideas anyone ?

[@vajskidsconsoles2005]

Good to note that this is a VA-SG and they also come with VA9. VA9 is 9v, 5v, 5v not 9, 5, 3.3

[@vajskidsconsoles2005]

Sorry this is a VA-SD in the video, very similar to VA-SG, Then there's VA9 which is a much larger board and doesn't have the controller ports on a ribbon cable to a daughter board... I've just replaced a part on a VA9 and looking for information, IC27: 314-0563 IC 74LS245 SOP 300MIL , I used an equivalent part but slightly larger footprint (trim legs back and filled the gaps with solder to have it fit) and getting a blank or grey screen.. might just switch boards and move on.

[@obscuremix8198]

I have the Japanese model one and I have the same problem. I don't know well how to fix it.

[@timekiller2195]

I replaced three 25v 10uf capacitors, but no video are available. Is there any other way?

[@sneakyvee]

The capacitors he replaced look like theyre near the video encoding on a model 1 saturn. His revision is this one SD: 837-12133 a pal unit. Ive only had luck finding schematics for a VA7 revision board online so you're best bet is to try to locate schematics and replacing the capacitors closest to the video encoding chip like he did or take the time to recap everything to see if your video will work.

[@timekiller2195]

@@sneakyvee Thank you for your advice.

[@DatGameCollector]

any chance you could answer some question?

[@GlobalGarageAus]

DatGameCollector Sure, what's up?

[@DatGameCollector]

Global Garage so i have a model 2 and it will splash the sega saturn logo. but the game will go black. and nothing and some weird ass sounds is that the caps?

[@GlobalGarageAus]

Yes, caps most likely. Very similar to what I demonstrate in the video, but in your case I would swap them all.

[@DatGameCollector]

You recommend some of the things i would need and decent brands? I also wanna put a new laser in it. I think its the sanyo one. Thanks for the reply btw.

[@segasonic9117]

I have a VAO with this problem. Have you fixed a VA0? Which caps would you recommend first? Just took it apart, what a pain in the arse! My original Saturn bought in early 1995 is a VA0 but I have never taken it apart. The video became a bit dodgy, I think the video board may need a re-solder. I opened another VA0 to put an 240v power supply I bought from HK, that was annoying enough. I don't think I will be changing caps-checking-changing caps-checking.... so annoying to put back together and take apart constantly.

[@obihayve2304]

TURN IT ON

[@SonicBoone56]

How would you fix a Saturn with no power period? I replaced all the caps in mine and it didn't fix it.

[@dennisburke199]

Dumb question maybe, but did you check the fuse first?

[@dylanmcconnell409]

Why not invest in an LCR meter. Just desolder a leg and check to see if the cap is good or bad, instead of randomly replacing every cap you find. You wouldn't start randomly replacing resistors would you?

[@jorybeatty1726]

The system is over 20 years old at this point. Honestly, replacing every single cap isn't a bad idea. At this point it's just preventative maintenance. Not to mention you can get a complete cap kit for the system for 10 bucks and some change.

[@scramble45]

Why not do a ESR meter and measure in circuit?

[@pabloxd1239]

be careful with not ussing "original caps", Q = VC so if you need 25 volts to get a max 10uF and before you needed 16 the energy magazined wil be a bit lower, probably you dont have to worry that much but just in case its good to know

[@utubechannel8670]

25v is the maximum rated voltage that the capacitor can withstand. there's no problem using overrated caps in this instance. the only drawback is that higher rated caps often have bigger physical size.

[@pabloxd1239]

@@utubechannel8670 thats not the only drawback, study a little a bit.

[@utubechannel8670]

@@pabloxd1239 like I said, there's no drawback IN THIS INSTANCE. what you described is insignificant and not a problem to worry about for people here. I have a first class degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and have won awards for the same. 😉

[@pabloxd1239]

@@utubechannel8670 well then why you try to "point me the errors" when at my first message i write that he doesnt have to worry all that about

[@pabloxd1239]

"just in case is good to know" " you dont have to worry that much" i wrote, your pretty smart boy