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Electronics Repair (sci.electronics.repair) Discussion of repairing electronic equipment. Topics include requests for assistance, where to obtain servicing information and parts, techniques for diagnosis and repair, and annecdotes about success, failures and problems. |
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#1
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soda splashed on car radio
An ex spilled some cola in my car and some got inside the cd/radio. Since
then, the push buttons on the radio only work 10% of the time. 90% of the time the buttons do not respond. It's a radio/CD player I cannot change stations at will, and am afraid to put CD in it (the eject buttons also only work 10% of the time). I removed the radio, separated the faceplate -- that's where I believe the soda was splashed. Sure enough I see droplets of dried soda. I dip the faceplate/buttons in water in an ultrasonic cleaner, taking care not to dip the LCD portion. Then I let the faceplate air dry for a few days. Then put it all back into the car. Then, the buttons work perfectly again. BUT, after a few days, the buttons return to the 90% not responding symdrome. I repeated this cleaning procedure twice. Each time the same end results. Anyone wants to theorize what may be happening? Now I have another idea: instead of water, dip the faceplate in denature alcohol -- that is what some people do to treat cellphones dropped in water. My only concern is, since alcohol is a solvent, could it dissolve some components in the faceplate? Any suggestions on what electronic components may be damaged by alchohol? If I only soak it for a short time (e.g. 30 sec), there should not be enough time to dissolve anything, right? I'm willing to take some risk because a 10% radio/CD is very frustrating. |
#2
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soda splashed on car radio
In article dRski.1013$z64.280@trnddc07, "peter" wrote:
An ex spilled some cola in my car and some got inside the cd/radio. Since then, the push buttons on the radio only work 10% of the time. 90% of the time the buttons do not respond. It's a radio/CD player I cannot change stations at will, and am afraid to put CD in it (the eject buttons also only work 10% of the time). I removed the radio, separated the faceplate -- that's where I believe the soda was splashed. Sure enough I see droplets of dried soda. I dip the faceplate/buttons in water in an ultrasonic cleaner, taking care not to dip the LCD portion. Then I let the faceplate air dry for a few days. Then put it all back into the car. Then, the buttons work perfectly again. BUT, after a few days, the buttons return to the 90% not responding symdrome. I repeated this cleaning procedure twice. Each time the same end results. Anyone wants to theorize what may be happening? Now I have another idea: instead of water, dip the faceplate in denature alcohol -- that is what some people do to treat cellphones dropped in water. My only concern is, since alcohol is a solvent, could it dissolve some components in the faceplate? Any suggestions on what electronic components may be damaged by alchohol? If I only soak it for a short time (e.g. 30 sec), there should not be enough time to dissolve anything, right? I'm willing to take some risk because a 10% radio/CD is very frustrating. Cleaning with water is the best thing for soda. Not sure if the LCD screen can handle water. I most always lubricate contacts after this, often completely spraying with WD-40 to help remove the water. You can try applying a lubricant like CRC 2-26 after cleaning the buttons. greg |
#3
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soda splashed on car radio
On Jul 9, 12:20 pm, (GregS) wrote:
In article dRski.1013$z64.280@trnddc07, "peter" wrote: An ex spilled some cola in my car and some got inside the cd/radio. Since then, the push buttons on the radio only work 10% of the time. 90% of the time the buttons do not respond. It's a radio/CD player I cannot change stations at will, and am afraid to put CD in it (the eject buttons also only work 10% of the time). I removed the radio, separated the faceplate -- that's where I believe the soda was splashed. Sure enough I see droplets of dried soda. I dip the faceplate/buttons in water in an ultrasonic cleaner, taking care not to dip the LCD portion. Then I let the faceplate air dry for a few days. Then put it all back into the car. Then, the buttons work perfectly again. BUT, after a few days, the buttons return to the 90% not responding symdrome. I repeated this cleaning procedure twice. Each time the same end results. Anyone wants to theorize what may be happening? Now I have another idea: instead of water, dip the faceplate in denature alcohol -- that is what some people do to treat cellphones dropped in water. My only concern is, since alcohol is a solvent, could it dissolve some components in the faceplate? Any suggestions on what electronic components may be damaged by alchohol? If I only soak it for a short time (e.g. 30 sec), there should not be enough time to dissolve anything, right? I'm willing to take some risk because a 10% radio/CD is very frustrating. Cleaning with water is the best thing for soda. Not sure if the LCD screen can handle water. I most always lubricate contacts after this, often completely spraying with WD-40 to help remove the water. You can try applying a lubricant like CRC 2-26 after cleaning the buttons. greg- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Clean with water. Next only allow diet pop in the car. Sugar makes good glue. Bruce |
#4
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soda splashed on car radio
Hi!
I repeated this cleaning procedure twice. Each time the same end results. Anyone wants to theorize what may be happening? I don't think you got all the soda out. It can be quite difficult to fully remove spills from electronic equipment without pulling it apart and cleaning each piece by hand. The chemicals (and sugar!) that are in soda can also eat circuit traces and cause corrosion. I think corrosion is a possibility that must be considered, although it isn't all that likely...damaged circuit traces are really unlikely. The denatured alcohol shouldn't damage anything, but it may drive lubricating grease out of moving parts. If you are worried, try the alcohol on a part of the radio's faceplate that can't be easily seen should something go wrong. William |
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