Radio Display Scrambled Eggs

Don Bruder wrote:
>
> In article >,
> (Rehcab) wrote:
>
> > The digital display on my '96 Camry is a mess of symbols whether the radio is
> > on or off. Yet it works fine. Can anyone tell me how to fix this? Thanks.
>
> Remove the faceplate. Remove the display unit from the faceplate. Clean
> the display unit using alcohol and/or acetone. Re-assemble. Betcha
> you've got water-based gloop inside (probably somebody's spilled
> soda...) shorting leads together to produce the messed up display.
>
> (Warning: This task is not for a rookie or the faint of heart, and
> involves a soldering iron...)

Maybe not. Many LCD displays are connected to the controller board by
means of a set of conductive rubber contacts. Continuity is maintained
by a small amount of pressure holding the LCD panel against these
contacts. If this is so, disassemble the unit and separate the LCD from
the PC board. Clean the PC board contact pads. I've used a clean mylar
eraser,
gently wiping dirt and oxides off the PC board. The rubber contacts
(usually one continuous strip) and the LCD can be cleaned with a little
isopropyl alcohol. Then, just reassemble everything (watch the
alignment). I've repaired some calculators and digital voltmeters that
had failing LCD displays this way.

> Chances are high that, unless you're an electronics geek and/or *QUITE*
> comfortable opening up and messing around in devices labeled "Warning:
> No user servicable parts inside", your best bet is going to involve that
> magic phrase "buy a new one".

This is the key to the whole project. If you aren't comfortable taking
things apart (and putting them back together), don't tackle this
project.

--
Paul Hovnanian
note to spammers: a Washington State resident
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Only through suffering comes wisdom. -- Zeus