200DX High Amperage Reading (664A) and Machine Will Not Respond

[Synthetic]

This Friday, I was welding some aluminum with my friends PowerTIG 200DX. We were welding some aluminum angle. After running several 2" beads at a maximum amperage of about 160A, I went to start another one, the arc tried to start from the tungsten then went completely dead.

After this happened, I saw that the machines amperage display was showing a reading of 664A. It would sometimes switch between 664A and 665A. The warning LED was lit up green (not sure if it always is or not). The machine would not respond to changes in the amperage control knob or foot pedal control knob. I figured I somehow hit the duty cycle and let the machine run for a coupe minutes then turned it off for the night.

Yesterday, we powered the machine up again. It displayed 664A again. We unplugged the foot pedal and connected the torch finger control and nothing changed. There is no change if we switch between AC or DC or change any other machine settings. Also, on Sunday, the machine was letting out a steady flow of argon from the torch the moment I opened the regulator on the tank.

Has anyone ever experienced a problem similar to any of this? How was it resolved? I read through a bunch of threads and saw some similar issues, but not the same. I do not know if this machine was purchased brand new or used, but I'm pretty sure it was manufactured roughly a year ago.

Obviously, my friend wants to kill me for "breaking" his welder. Nice guy lol.

Thanks in advance for any help. Hopefully I can contribute to this forum more once we get up and running again.

[performance]

He'll have to send it in for repair. If it's warranty, it won't cost anything but the shipping, if he bought it new. If he did not, then the cost of repair will be up to you.
Please call ext 207 for a brief diagnosis over the phone and an RA number to return it.

[Synthetic]

Thanks for the response Mark. I'll give you guys a call tomorrow.

Turns out my buddy did in fact buy the machine used. Sounds like this could be painful.