Expert: Greg Evangelidis - 2/18/2008

Question
QUESTION: Greg, I have a RCA mod. RT2360/RT2360B Home Theater system. It is 2yrs. old and has been working fine. However, it quit and all program lights are working ok,but the speakers do not have any output. The red speaker indicator lights are now flashing and I am getting the message "signal lost". I have not been able to correct the problem. Would you have any suggestions as to what the problem could be ? Thanks !

ANSWER: Larry:

First I must ask if the output is absent regardless of the source input?  Does the integrated FM tuner output, or is it just an one input (DVD, VCR, CD, cable box, etc...)?  If the issue is specific to one source, I would first try swapping cables from a working source, or replacing the connecting cables to the malfunctioning source.  The signal lost message leads me to believe that either a bad cable, or malfunctioning source may be the issue.

If the issue is not source specific I would then try pressing the test tone button on the front of the home theater unit.  This feature outputs noise through each of the speakers one at a time, designed to allow users to adjust speakers and speaker volume for each speaker. If this noise is output from each of the speakers, it eliminates the possibility of a physical issue with the amplifier, speakers, and speaker connections.

If nothing is output to the speakers through the test tone, I would then disconnect each of the speaker wires from the receiver and systematically test each by touching the speaker wires, one pair at a time to the corresponding terminals of a battery, each speaker should "pop" when the charge is applied.  If the test tone did not produce an output, but the speakers "pop" when a charge is applied, I would speculate that the internal amp is bad and repair would be necessary.

I hope this helps narrow down the issue,

Thanks,
Greg



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Greg, thanks for the help concerning my problem. Just a follow up to let you know that the problem still exists. There is no output regardless of the source. I did as you suggested concerning the speakers. The test tone seems to be working and I hear a pop at each speaker during the sequence. I also applied battery power to each speaker and I get the same resulting pop at each speaker. You are probably correct that the amplifier is bad and needs replaced. I appreciate your help. Thanks again, Larry

Answer
Larry:

If you actually hear a "pop" at each speaker during the test tone, then I would agree the amp probably has some malfunction happening as you should hear static, or some other sort of sound, not just a pop similar to the pop you hear from applying a charge to the speakers.

Glad I could be of some help.

Thanks,
Greg