No satellite signal received

[imported_Buster]

Hi there folks,

sorry if this is an inappropriate post, or in the wrong place.

I wonder if anyone can advise on a problem I'm having with my Sky system.

Over the last couple of weeks or so, I've had a slight problem with pixellation, and increasingly an error saying something like 'No satellite signal received'. The system is maybe five years old. The digibox is a Pace 2600.

If I turn it off at the mains for a few hours and then switch it back on, it's OK for a while, and then starts acting up again.

I thought maybe it could be water getting into the cable with all the rain we've been having, or possibly the box itself?

All suggestions welcomed.

[Analoguesat]

It could be any one of or a mixture of:

box failure
dish misalignment
faulty cable or rain in the cable
lnb failing.

As the fault comes when its been on a while it may well be that the box is overheating. Is it in an enclosed cabinet? Are the venytilation slots clogged? Does the problem go away if you take the top off and run it topless for a few hours?

Unfortunately this is one of those problems that can only be diagnosed by trila and error. What happens if you put a friends box onto your dish and vice versa etc?

[imported_Buster]

Hi Analoguesat. Thanks for the reply.

I swapped my box with my next door neighbor (temporarily I have to say!) and unfortunately I guess the problem has gone away.

I suppose I don't need to ask really, but I guess it's the box?

I did try putting mine back, and directing a desktop fan down into the vent holes, but it made no difference.

Is it worth repairing? Can I buy a replacement myself, or do I have to go back to Sky?

Cheers

[Analoguesat]

Yes sounds like the box is failing. Pop the top off just to make sure any cooling fins arent plugged with dustbunnies. (UNPLUG first!....)

Replacement boxes can be bought for around 100 quid new. When you get the box, just ring Sky to get the card paired. (Only neccessary if you have sports or movies)

[BGonaSTICK]

Mmm, thinking about this, something's not right.
If your system is 5 years old then it can't be a Pace 2600, as it's too recent. Maybe it's a 2500?

Check the pics below.

If it's a 2500, then it's probably the tuner module. It's a very common fault on that particular box. Yours is probably the same.

Assuming it is a 2500 and you want to have it repaired, you can send it away. Alternatively, if you can use a soldering iron, you can replace the part yourself

I'm only average with the hot pointy thing, but managed to do mine OK.

It's the PACE ZIF tuner you'll need. I got mine here:

http://www.mces.co.uk/Offers.htm

You might choose to nab a replacement off eBay, or out of the local paper though. You can still have your card re-paired with a different (s/h) box.

STICK