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NEC TG-16/TE/TurboDuo => TG/PCE Repair/Mod Discussion => Topic started by: neversummer on March 10, 2009, 12:25:13 PM

Title: TurboExpress Repair Shenanigans
Post by: neversummer on March 10, 2009, 12:25:13 PM
Hi Guys, I bought a 'working' TE on EBay which of course doesn't work at all. It appears to be missing a bunch of capacitors, the metal covering over the circuit board and I wanted to know what this half busted component is as I don't see it on the TE replacement capacitor chart:
(http://www.never-illustration.com/te.jpg)
(http://www.never-illustration.com/close.jpg)
Title: Re: TurboExpress Repair Shenanigans
Post by: Duo_R on March 11, 2009, 12:29:41 AM
not really sure, looks like the video cap is completely missing, no suprise that it isnt working. What happens when you flip her on? Also all the original audio caps are still there, so i wouldnt be surprised if you have no sound. Try replacing those caps first (and the missing video cap).
Title: Re: TurboExpress Repair Shenanigans
Post by: neversummer on March 11, 2009, 01:26:24 AM
The video screen appears to turn on but doesn't go white, the sound works but is extremely low so I'll have to replace all the caps there too. These 100uF 16V caps came in yesterday, I don't want to put them on until someone identifies that 'extra' part on the board though.
(http://www.never-illustration.com/cap.jpg)
Title: Re: TurboExpress Repair Shenanigans
Post by: Duo_R on March 11, 2009, 01:42:27 AM

Well I would install the vid cap and test. Not sure what part that is but looks like it got damaged when the person was removing the glue. Chances are it is fine. Btw good luck installing the SMD caps.
Title: Re: TurboExpress Repair Shenanigans
Post by: neversummer on March 12, 2009, 03:10:45 PM
Replaced all the sound capacitors and got it working nice and loud. The lcd display shows only shades of red though, not sure why. I've replaced all capacitors except for the 470uF 6.3V & 22uF 6V. Not sure if these have anything to do with the video:
(http://www.never-illustration.com/red.jpg)
Title: Re: TurboExpress Repair Shenanigans
Post by: Duo_R on March 12, 2009, 03:53:31 PM
check your ribbon cable. The ribbon carries RGB lines, maybe it isn't seated properly. that is the first time I have seen this, and I have repaired alot of TE's!  :shock: :shock: :shock:
Title: Re: TurboExpress Repair Shenanigans
Post by: neversummer on March 13, 2009, 03:48:05 AM
I initially ripped off the ribbon connector, (accidentally), from the circuit board to the LCD screen so it's probably not soldered correctly. Those teeth are so small it's gonna be a challenge to get it to work properly, (that is if I haven't ruined it already)  :clap:
Title: Re: TurboExpress Repair Shenanigans
Post by: Duo_R on March 13, 2009, 06:18:59 AM
take a photo of how she looks under the hood. Closeup on the ribbon.

I initially ripped off the ribbon connector, (accidentally), from the circuit board to the LCD screen so it's probably not soldered correctly. Those teeth are so small it's gonna be a challenge to get it to work properly, (that is if I haven't ruined it already)  :clap:
Title: Re: TurboExpress Repair Shenanigans
Post by: neversummer on March 13, 2009, 02:11:09 PM
Removed the ribbon connector, cleaned and reattached but screen is still showing red. Ribbon's attached fine on the other end  :-k
(http://www.never-illustration.com/teeth.jpg)
(http://www.never-illustration.com/ribbon.jpg)
(http://www.never-illustration.com/bread.jpg)
Title: Re: TurboExpress Repair Shenanigans
Post by: Duo_R on March 13, 2009, 03:02:06 PM
That ribbon cable doesn't look in good shape. I suspect that the green / blue lines aren't making good connection. The Turbo Express hospital is still open....  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: TurboExpress Repair Shenanigans
Post by: Platinumfungi on March 14, 2009, 04:16:40 AM
Just a thought - You could try and solder the ribbon cable directly to the pcb, or attach wires as jumpers between the two to make the soldering a little easier.
Title: Re: TurboExpress Repair Shenanigans
Post by: TheMilford on March 14, 2009, 05:13:03 PM
I have to repair ribbon calbe like this sometimes in my work.

I would maybe cut back (trim off) a little of the ribbon... say 1/16th on an inch. this should give you a fresh patch of ribbon contact to insert into the slot.
Title: Re: TurboExpress Repair Shenanigans
Post by: Duo_R on March 14, 2009, 05:21:21 PM
That actually is a good idea before u have this repaired. Take some very good scissors and make a straight cut just a little off the ribbon cable. That might do the trick.
Title: Re: TurboExpress Repair Shenanigans
Post by: pceslayer on March 14, 2009, 06:57:10 PM
Wouldn't a dab of solder on each contact fix that right up?
Title: Re: TurboExpress Repair Shenanigans
Post by: Duo_R on March 14, 2009, 07:27:51 PM
the ribbon wouldnt fit back in the plug
Title: Re: TurboExpress Repair Shenanigans
Post by: TheMilford on March 14, 2009, 11:58:43 PM
Wouldn't a dab of solder on each contact fix that right up?

Maybe, but lead and tin are not great conductors. I use a quad eutectic silver/copper/tin/lead solder that works well for this kinda stuff as it flows very well and conducts better than standard 60/40.

if you get a higher wattage iron (25-40watt) really hot, put a little soldering flux on the contacts. Then you whet the tip of the iron with a little extra solder, touch it to each pad on the ribbon. You have to make sure the solder really flows and just "tins" the contact. Any more than that then the ribbon cable might not fit as Duo-r has stated.
Title: Re: TurboExpress Repair Shenanigans
Post by: pceslayer on March 15, 2009, 03:49:23 AM
if you get a higher wattage iron (25-40watt) really hot, put a little soldering flux on the contacts. Then you whet the tip of the iron with a little extra solder, touch it to each pad on the ribbon. You have to make sure the solder really flows and just "tins" the contact. Any more than that then the ribbon cable might not fit as Duo-r has stated.

This is what I meant... perhaps dab was a poor choice of wording.
Title: Re: TurboExpress Repair Shenanigans
Post by: TheMilford on March 15, 2009, 04:00:28 AM
if you get a higher wattage iron (25-40watt) really hot, put a little soldering flux on the contacts. Then you whet the tip of the iron with a little extra solder, touch it to each pad on the ribbon. You have to make sure the solder really flows and just "tins" the contact. Any more than that then the ribbon cable might not fit as Duo-r has stated.

This is what I meant... perhaps dab was a poor choice of wording.

Dig it!
Title: Re: TurboExpress Repair Shenanigans
Post by: neversummer on March 16, 2009, 01:28:39 AM
Thanks for the help guys, I'm getting in a little over my head with my radioshack soldering iron so I'm shipping this baby off to Duo_R's hospital  :pray: