New mod to my RNS-E (not for the faint of heart)
10-20-2008, 06:00 AM
#1
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New mod to my RNS-E (not for the faint of heart)
........sigh! It's the corrosion mod (I wouldn't recommend it)
My RNS-E went dead on Labor Day out of blue with no prior symptoms and I finally got around to doing some surgery. When powered up, the unit will play whatever is stuck on the radio very loud. There is nothing on the screen other than slight flashing noticeable in low light. There is no response to any controls: power, volume, screen movement, ...nada.
So I start carefully taking out screws and disassembling the major components. I got the screen out and was able to remove my memory cards. I haven't been able to extract the Nav DVD yet.
The first 2 pictures show the board just below the DVD drive. Of those 3 larger chips at the top left, the middle one has a fair amount of 'corrosion'or perhaps burn areas around it. There are some rust-colored spots on the pins around it and some dark, slightly raised areas on the board itself. There's no sign of any liquid ingress; it's spotless inside almost 100% clean of even dust. How the heck this happened is beyond me.
I can't help but be a bit miffed at this huge investment for 15 months of use. I went through all the most reputable routes and even paid for install. I can only speculate the cause, but given my use over the last 15 months and the exterior and interior condition upon disassembly, I would have to say this was preexisting. I really don't know if that 'corrosion' is even the problem but all else I can see seems pristine. Perhaps there is also tons of carnage underneath this board.
I'm working on avenues for replacement parts, but I'm not getting tons of help on navforums so far and lack of responses to emails and such. Depressing. Plus it's daunting to think I'd order a new one of these boards (assuming I even can) and that not fix it. Then I'd really be steamed. It's not easy to trouble shoot and there don't appear to be many out there that can.
And the question Alex....How do you NOT want to see your $$$ RNS-E unit?
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/14677/rns-e_2.jpg">
Suspected corrosion or burn (surrounding the 00347E chip):
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/14677/rns-e_1.jpg">
DVD drive with my stuck Nav DVD (my wife didn't even thank me for the free advertising of her Pampered Chef towel, geez):
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/14677/rns-e_3.jpg">
Depressing picture of the facsia and screen:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/14677/rns-e_4.jpg">
My RNS-E went dead on Labor Day out of blue with no prior symptoms and I finally got around to doing some surgery. When powered up, the unit will play whatever is stuck on the radio very loud. There is nothing on the screen other than slight flashing noticeable in low light. There is no response to any controls: power, volume, screen movement, ...nada.
So I start carefully taking out screws and disassembling the major components. I got the screen out and was able to remove my memory cards. I haven't been able to extract the Nav DVD yet.
The first 2 pictures show the board just below the DVD drive. Of those 3 larger chips at the top left, the middle one has a fair amount of 'corrosion'or perhaps burn areas around it. There are some rust-colored spots on the pins around it and some dark, slightly raised areas on the board itself. There's no sign of any liquid ingress; it's spotless inside almost 100% clean of even dust. How the heck this happened is beyond me.
I can't help but be a bit miffed at this huge investment for 15 months of use. I went through all the most reputable routes and even paid for install. I can only speculate the cause, but given my use over the last 15 months and the exterior and interior condition upon disassembly, I would have to say this was preexisting. I really don't know if that 'corrosion' is even the problem but all else I can see seems pristine. Perhaps there is also tons of carnage underneath this board.
I'm working on avenues for replacement parts, but I'm not getting tons of help on navforums so far and lack of responses to emails and such. Depressing. Plus it's daunting to think I'd order a new one of these boards (assuming I even can) and that not fix it. Then I'd really be steamed. It's not easy to trouble shoot and there don't appear to be many out there that can.
And the question Alex....How do you NOT want to see your $$$ RNS-E unit?
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/14677/rns-e_2.jpg">
Suspected corrosion or burn (surrounding the 00347E chip):
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/14677/rns-e_1.jpg">
DVD drive with my stuck Nav DVD (my wife didn't even thank me for the free advertising of her Pampered Chef towel, geez):
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/14677/rns-e_3.jpg">
Depressing picture of the facsia and screen:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/14677/rns-e_4.jpg">
10-20-2008, 06:16 AM
#2
AudiWorld Expert
That sucks. Any chance you can find a "salvage" unit?
...perhaps one that has a bad DVD drive and/or blown screen, still good for the internal board.
I would imagine that improper storage of the unit whil out of the car could cause that. Good luck.
I would imagine that improper storage of the unit whil out of the car could cause that. Good luck.
10-20-2008, 06:36 AM
#5
that looks like heat damage from here...
I'd guess there is a smoked power amp on the other side of that PCB.
I've replaced burnt chips in stereo amps before, but only with thru-mount leads. Desoldering and re-soldering surface-mount chips like those is a bear, even if you can source the right replacement parts.
I've replaced burnt chips in stereo amps before, but only with thru-mount leads. Desoldering and re-soldering surface-mount chips like those is a bear, even if you can source the right replacement parts.
10-20-2008, 06:44 AM
#6
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Hmmmm, perhaps the circulation fan died causing the overheat.
I really don't have the tools to check anything out electrically. I was looking for an obvious 'smoking gun' so I hopefully order a replacement board, fan, chip, etc.
It seems the fan would be easy enough to check out. I probably can get access to a low voltage power supply at work to test it.
It seems the fan would be easy enough to check out. I probably can get access to a low voltage power supply at work to test it.
10-20-2008, 08:26 AM
#7
A suggestion:
If you are willing to ship the damaged unit to Europe (Belgium?), "Haaggie" (on Navplus) is certainly able to fix it for you - but contact him first to be sure, he is one of the advertisers on that forum (I think).
Even if you ship the unit via UPS, DHL or similar international courier, it is bound to save you a great deal of money vs. buying a new (or refurbished) one.
Even if you ship the unit via UPS, DHL or similar international courier, it is bound to save you a great deal of money vs. buying a new (or refurbished) one.
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10-20-2008, 01:23 PM
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Be glad too, but don't have much equipment to test it. I'm a mech eng so my weapons are screwdrivers
I was just looking for a 'smoking gun' so I could offer some more edjamucated folks some breadcrumbs.
I wouldn't even attempt to fix a nice piece of electronics like this. I'd probably short something out or drip solder on a board. I'll leave the electrical work to the professionals.
I'm sure you could do the same thing I did. Just take your time, and keep good notes on where screws go. I took pictures and put groups of screws in labeled ziplock bags. This darn thing cost too much money to let me wield a soldering gun and fluke, yet right now I own an expensive boat anchor....for a tiny boat, at that.
I wouldn't even attempt to fix a nice piece of electronics like this. I'd probably short something out or drip solder on a board. I'll leave the electrical work to the professionals.
I'm sure you could do the same thing I did. Just take your time, and keep good notes on where screws go. I took pictures and put groups of screws in labeled ziplock bags. This darn thing cost too much money to let me wield a soldering gun and fluke, yet right now I own an expensive boat anchor....for a tiny boat, at that.