Overhead console fix - still need help
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Texas
Overhead console fix - still need help
OK, so I did the overhead console repair from here https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=19462
Found 2 of those little square things loose & soldered them back in. The lights came on and the miles to empty and direction worked, but the mode button did not work, so no way to see the MPG and whatever else may be on the other screen.
Took it back apart and the button fell apart. Is there a way to repair this button, or could I find a similar button at radio shack and just replace it? How hard is it to remove the old one? Melt the solder and it comes off? Sorry, don't know anything about computer boards.
Here's what the good button looks like
Here's the bad button
Found 2 of those little square things loose & soldered them back in. The lights came on and the miles to empty and direction worked, but the mode button did not work, so no way to see the MPG and whatever else may be on the other screen.
Took it back apart and the button fell apart. Is there a way to repair this button, or could I find a similar button at radio shack and just replace it? How hard is it to remove the old one? Melt the solder and it comes off? Sorry, don't know anything about computer boards.
Here's what the good button looks like
Here's the bad button
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Do you know some way of repairing the button as it sits?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
I looked at their website last night and they have something that looks pretty close on line. It costs $4 for a pack of 4, so I plan on going there today to see if I get lucky. With a 4 pack I should be able to disassemble one switch to try and figure it out, then still have 3 left to play with.
I may be back in touch if I get stuck.
I may be back in touch if I get stuck.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,144
Likes: 11
From: Rochdale MA
Ok I'll take a look and see also. That way if you run into a issue I'll have an idea of what the internals\ disc look like.
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FTE-Spread The Knowledge
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You can ohm the switch out and see if you can get it to work, but I would try to replace it, so you don't continue to have problems. Use a solder sucker to remove old solder or copper strap. Try to use minimum amount of heat on board to remove it. Take the switch into Radio Shack and they "usually" can match it to a catalog they have, or they may have one. I fix a lot of electronics, and switches like this go bad often. Stealers will replace the entire board. You may have to do a little of investigative work. Look to see if there are any markings on it to identify manufacturer, or on the board itself. If you get stuck I will be glad to help out. This may also help out a lot of FTE members. I had mine fixed under warranty twice. So the electronics are not very solid. Be careful though with the heat on the board.
Good Luck.......
Good Luck.......
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Texas
What parts do I Ohm? There looks to be a connection point on each end and one in the middle. The top part on the button/switch is removable. Radio shack had 2 different sets. One was slightly thinner (shorter) and the other was slightly thicker (taller). They each came in a pack of 4.
I'd be glad to Ohm the switch if I knew where to place the leads. What do you think about taking apart one of the new buttons to try and rebuild the existing button? I picked up some desoldering braid. Is this the same thing as the solder sucker?
I'd be glad to Ohm the switch if I knew where to place the leads. What do you think about taking apart one of the new buttons to try and rebuild the existing button? I picked up some desoldering braid. Is this the same thing as the solder sucker?
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,144
Likes: 11
From: Rochdale MA
A solder sucker is used to remove the solder from the back of a circuit board. It does this by vacuume.
RadioShack.com - Cables, Parts & Connectors: Tools & soldering equipment: Soldering tools & supplies: Vacuum Desoldering Tool
They work very well. Did any of the switches you looked at match up close to size? If they did then for the $4 I would remove the disc and try it out.
RadioShack.com - Cables, Parts & Connectors: Tools & soldering equipment: Soldering tools & supplies: Vacuum Desoldering Tool
They work very well. Did any of the switches you looked at match up close to size? If they did then for the $4 I would remove the disc and try it out.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Texas
Fixed
Ok. I bought 2 different size switches from Radio Shack. $3.99 per bag. Both were the same size square (width and length), but one was a tad shorter and one was a tad taller than the factory button.
Here's the one that looked the most promising.
It has the same type of snap off cover as the factory switch, but when I removed the top and tried to use the metal disc inside, the disc was too small. If I had to solder on a new switch (still may end up having to do this - fingers crossed it holds) I would probably use this one and just bend the tabs to be soldered down slightly to match the correct height.
Here's the other set I bought that looks a little too tall.
It also has a different top where you have to break the 4 plastic dots that hold the button on. This one had a larger disc inside that fit inside the factory switch, so I stuck that disc in.
Put everything back together, plugged it into the truck, and now instead of just miles to empty, I can push the mode button and see outside temp, MPG (aka lie-o-meter) or turn the display off.
The good news is everything works and I still have 3 spares of each size for any future issues.
Here's the one that looked the most promising.
It has the same type of snap off cover as the factory switch, but when I removed the top and tried to use the metal disc inside, the disc was too small. If I had to solder on a new switch (still may end up having to do this - fingers crossed it holds) I would probably use this one and just bend the tabs to be soldered down slightly to match the correct height.
Here's the other set I bought that looks a little too tall.
It also has a different top where you have to break the 4 plastic dots that hold the button on. This one had a larger disc inside that fit inside the factory switch, so I stuck that disc in.
Put everything back together, plugged it into the truck, and now instead of just miles to empty, I can push the mode button and see outside temp, MPG (aka lie-o-meter) or turn the display off.
The good news is everything works and I still have 3 spares of each size for any future issues.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,549
Likes: 14
From: Payson, AZ
Good job Chris. 
Jim, good idea to swap the disc. Anytime you can avoid soldering on a ckt board you are better off.
I don't even have an Overhead Console and was watching this thread with interest.
Jim, good idea to swap the disc. Anytime you can avoid soldering on a ckt board you are better off.I don't even have an Overhead Console and was watching this thread with interest.
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