CLASS

FM

DWG NO.

REVISIONS
REV
DESCRIPTION
00 INITIAL RELEASE

SIGNATURES REQUIRED

PRINT NAME

TSG REPRESENTATIVE
CELL LEAD
REPAIR SUPERVISOR
OTHER(________________)

TSG TECHNICIAN
Pete
Cortese

ENG
PETE CORTESE/
PAUL COLLINS

DATE
4/09

SIGNATURE

PAUL COLLINS
DAVID MIKEL
KEVIN KING

DATE
4/09

APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS:
SERVICE MANUAL: 271885-SM

FRAMINGHAM, MA 01701-9168
DESCRIPTION
Companion 3 Multimedia Speaker System
Troubleshooting Tips
SIZE
A

FSCM
32108

CLASS
FM

DWG NO.
REV
271885-TT
01
PAGE 1 OF 3

Troubleshooting Tips
Companion 3 Multimedia Speaker System
Refer to the Companion 3 Multimedia Speaker System service manual reference number 271885-SM
for schematics, PCB layouts and parts lists located on service web site.
Preventative Repair Measures
Note: Perform the following on all units returned for repair.
Product
Companion 3

Check
Four capacitors must be
replaced on all systems built
before DOM 5315, and
regardless of symptom.

Action
Replace C316, C317, C318 and C319 with part
number 286499-104. This change will prevent
possible DC offset voltages due to a cracked
capacitor. Refer to Service Bulletin: 271885-B3 and
the Companion 3 Service Manual part number
271885-SM for disassembly/assembly.

Companion 3

Units built before 10/23/2007

(DOM 7289).

Units built before 10/23/2007 will have the Aishi

capacitor C7 installed on the power supply PCB.
Replace C7 with a United Chemi-Con (UCC)
capacitor. Refer to the service manual for the part
number. The DOM cut-in date only applies to U.S.
variants. Refer to Service Bulletin: 271885-B4 for
further information.

Companion 3

On the early version PCB

271838-001, Replace Q303 on
all repairs

Replace Q303 with part number 148770. Add a

1N4148 diode part number 121501 across the base
emitter junction. Polarity is very important. Connect
the cathode of the diode to the base and the anode
to the emitter. Also replace R336 with part number
133625-10R0. Refer to Service Bulletin: 271885-B2
for component location and placement.

Troubleshooting Tips
Product
Companion 3

Symptom
Intermittent
Power

Check
Either J308 or the
control pod itself can
be defective

Companion 3

Intermittent
Power

Check J1

Framingham, MA 01701-9168

SIZE
A

FSCM
32108

CLASS
FM

Action
Use a test control pod to identify if whether
the problem is with the customers control
pod or the connector J308. If the test control
pod works, the problem can be identified as
the customer having a defective control pod.
If the control pod does not fix the problem,
J308 is the failed component. J308 is not
repairable. The module assembly would
have to be replaced. Refer to the Service
Manual for the module assembly part
number.
Sometimes J1 is not seated properly and
may become intermittent. If J1 is
intermittent, the cable may need to be
replaced or reseated.

DWG NO.
271885-TT

SHEET
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REV.
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Troubleshooting Tips, continued

Product
Companion 3

Symptom
No Audio

Check
Check U301

Action
Check pins 6 and 20 for 15Vdc. If the 15Vdc
is not present, then check all other power
supply voltages. If the power supply
voltages are present, inject a 1KHz signal
into J302. Check pins 14 (right in) and 15
(left in) and then pins 17 (right out) and 21
(left out). If audio is coming in and nothing is
going out, replace U301

Companion 3

No Audio

Make sure the unit

isn't stuck in standby

Companion 3

No Bass

Check U3

Companion 3

Intermittent
Audio from Left
or Right
Speakers

Check J307

Companion 3

No Power

Check F1

Companion 3

No Power

Check the
transformer

At IC U301, place your positive probe on pin

22 and the negative probe on ground.
Toggle the control pod between mute and
standby by touching the top of the control
pod. When the LED is green, the voltmeter
should read 11Vdc. When the LED is yellow,
the voltmeter should read 0Vdc.
Insert a 200 mVrms, 200Hz signal into J302.
Check U3, pin 10 for a signal going into the
IC and check pin 14 for the signal coming
out. If there is a signal going in but nothing
coming out, replace U3 using the part
number in the Service Manual.
With the speakers connected and an audio
source playing, wiggle the speaker
connections and listen to see if the audio
cuts out or becomes intermittent. Before
determining the connectors as a failure, be
sure to inspect the speaker cable for broken
or intermittent connections. J302 is nonrepairable; Replace the module assembly.
Using a multimeter, check F1 for continuity.
If the component is defective, replace the
fuse with a 4amp, 125V, Slo-blow fuse.
At the head of the connector on the
transformer, check the red and black cable
paired together for continuity. Then check
the white and black cables paired together.
If either pairs fail the continuity test, replace
the transformer. Reference the Service
Manual 271885-SM and refer to Service
Bulletin 271885-B1 for the placement of the
new transformer.

Framingham, MA 01701-9168

SIZE
A

FSCM
32108

CLASS
FM

DWG NO.
271885-TT

SHEET
3 of 3

REV.
01