Headphones cable issue
Date: 11-2023
Problem: Intermittent connection
Solution: New audio cable
Repair Log
Here is the repair log for my volunteering sessions at the Sparks Repair Cafe. The motivation for this is partly that I enjoy helping people out and fixing things, but also the concern of the amount of e-waste that modern society is ending up with. Often these items are not designed to be fixed or even modified to work in a different way. The amount of plastic, chemicals, metals and rare earth metals that just end up in landfill is a distressing thought.
Here I hope to post the repairs and attempted repairs that I work on at the repair cafe, so that if somebody happens to stumble onto them it may help them on their journey to fix their own devices.
Vacuum
Date: 10-2023
Problem: Belt had burnt through
Solution: Replace belt and clean head
Broken Blinds
Date: 10-2023
Problem: Trapped mechanism
Solution: Re-attach string and fasten
(Leaky) Water Feature
Date: 09-2023
Problem: Won't turn on
Solution: Clean up solder connections
Sony Walkman
Date: 09-2023
Problem: Intermittent audio connection
Solution: Get a replacement 3.5mm
Til’ the wheels come off
Date: 09-2023
Problem: Wheel kept slipping off a trolley
Solution: Widen diameter of axle
Camera Lens Stuck
Date: 09-2023
Problem: Lens stuck opening
Solution: Bit of oil on mechanism
Bad IMU Production
Date: 09-2023
Problem: Shorted connection on IMU
Solution: Remove excess solder
Xbox One HDMI
Date: 08-2024
Problem: No HDMI signal received
Solution: Replace HDMI chip on motherboard
Dead Charger Shaver
Date: 08-2024
Problem: Dead charging circuit
Solution: Scrapped for parts
Marantz Amplifier
Date: 08-2024
Problem: TODO
Solution: TODO
Air Fryer
Date: 08-2023
Problem: Dead thermal fuse
Solution: Replace thermal fuse
Kindle
Date: 07-2024
Problem: Stuck on screen
Solution: Send to Amazon for voucher off new kindle. Dead battery
Hair Straighteners
Date: 07-2024
Problem: Intermittently turning off
Solution: Re-solder wire connection
Akai Turntable
Date: 07-2024
Problem: Can't sync direct drive
Solution: Switch cleaner on potentiometers
Roberts Radio Switch
Date: 07-2023
Problem: Won’t switch FM/DAB Mode
Solution: Replace tactile switch
Black Magic Smoke Machine
Date: 07-2023
Problem: Bang
Solution: Scrap
Shredded gears with your e-bike sir?
Date: 07-2023
Problem: Shredded planetary gears
Solution: Replace gearbox and bearings
PARTY
Date: 06-2024
Problem: Won't turn on
Solution: Replace transistor
Hand(le) off my guitar!
Date: 06-2024
Problem: Handle came off
Solution: Braided steel wire with rivets
Coffee Switch
Date: 06-2024
Problem: Button won't work
Solution: Glue flexible plastic
Portable Coffee Grinder
Date: 06-2023
Problem: Motor wouldn’t move grinder
Solution: Insert missing circlip
Torpedo timer (Yes that cool)
Date: 05-2024
Problem: Wouldn't wind up
Solution: Forward to watch maker contact
Dodgy Charger Port
Date: 05-2024
Problem: Won't charge unless held in position
Solution: Replace charging port
Coffee Grinder Not Grinding
Date: 05-2024
Problem: Grinder would not turn on
Solution: Re-solder connection
CD Player Tray
Date: 05-2024
Problem: CD player would not play
Solution: Replace belt and lubricate mechanism
Blinds Mechanism
Date: 05-2024
Problem: Jammed mechanism
Solution: Disassembly and removal
Dodgy Strimmer Connection
Date: 05-2023
Problem: Snapped connection on motor
Solution: Re-solder power cable
Kobo Reader Leak
Date: 05-2023
Problem: Water damage
Solution: Scrap
Mangled Cable – Scooter
Date: 05-2023
Problem: Exploded PCB from cable being crushed
Solution: No Fix
Infernal Coffee machine
Date: 05-2023
Problem: MYSTERY
Solution: ALSO MYSTERY
Gunky bearing
Date: 04-2024
Problem: Wouldn't spin
Solution: Clean main bearing
Lamp
Date: 04-2024
Problem: Not turning on
Solution: Re-solder connections
Slow cooker
Date: 03-2024
Problem: Wouldn't turn on or heat up
Solution: Reset thermal fuse
Microphone Screen dodgy
Date: 03-2024
Problem: Lines on screen
Solution: Clean connector
Magnifier Light
Date: 03-2024
Problem: Would not turn on (dead transistor)
Solution: Replace transistor and board
Ultra 1968 Vinyl Player
Date: 02-2024
Problem: Terrible sound quality
Solution: New pre-amplifier transistor
Microwave
Date: 02-2024
Problem: Won’t produce heat
Solution: Scrap
Bang-polar Junction Transistor
Date: 02-2024
Problem: Exploded BJT converted to dust
Solution: Replace BJT and board
Portable Projector – Dead Battery
Date: 01-2024
Problem: Dead battery
Solution: No Fix
PA Kit
Date: 01-2024
Problem: Went bang!
Solution: Replace drivers and board components
Marshall Bluetooth Headphones
Date: 01-2024
Problem: No Bluetooth
Solution: Replace battery and NTC
MacBook water ingress
Date: 01-2024
Problem: Water damage
Solution: Replace FPC connector
Audio Amplifier
Date: 01-2024
Problem: USB connector not connecting
Solution: Re-solder connector