soda splashed on car radio

[peter]

An ex spilled some cola in my car and some got inside the cd/radio. Since
then, the push buttons on the radio only work 10% of the time. 90% of the
time the buttons do not respond. It's a radio/CD player I cannot change
stations at will, and am afraid to put CD in it (the eject buttons also only
work 10% of the time).

I removed the radio, separated the faceplate -- that's where I believe the
soda was splashed. Sure enough I see droplets of dried soda. I dip the
faceplate/buttons in water in an ultrasonic cleaner, taking care not to dip
the LCD portion.

Then I let the faceplate air dry for a few days. Then put it all back into
the car. Then, the buttons work perfectly again.

BUT, after a few days, the buttons return to the 90% not responding
symdrome.

I repeated this cleaning procedure twice. Each time the same end results.
Anyone wants to theorize what may be happening?

Now I have another idea: instead of water, dip the faceplate in denature
alcohol -- that is what some people do to treat cellphones dropped in water.

My only concern is, since alcohol is a solvent, could it dissolve some
components in the faceplate? Any suggestions on what electronic components
may be damaged by alchohol? If I only soak it for a short time (e.g. 30
sec), there should not be enough time to dissolve anything, right? I'm
willing to take some risk because a 10% radio/CD is very frustrating.

 

[GregS]

An ex spilled some cola in my car and some got inside the cd/radio. Since
then, the push buttons on the radio only work 10% of the time. 90% of the
time the buttons do not respond. It's a radio/CD player I cannot change
stations at will, and am afraid to put CD in it (the eject buttons also only
work 10% of the time).

I removed the radio, separated the faceplate -- that's where I believe the
soda was splashed. Sure enough I see droplets of dried soda. I dip the
faceplate/buttons in water in an ultrasonic cleaner, taking care not to dip
the LCD portion.

Then I let the faceplate air dry for a few days. Then put it all back into
the car. Then, the buttons work perfectly again.

BUT, after a few days, the buttons return to the 90% not responding
symdrome.

I repeated this cleaning procedure twice. Each time the same end results.
Anyone wants to theorize what may be happening?

Now I have another idea: instead of water, dip the faceplate in denature
alcohol -- that is what some people do to treat cellphones dropped in water.

My only concern is, since alcohol is a solvent, could it dissolve some
components in the faceplate? Any suggestions on what electronic components
may be damaged by alchohol? If I only soak it for a short time (e.g. 30
sec), there should not be enough time to dissolve anything, right? I'm
willing to take some risk because a 10% radio/CD is very frustrating.

Cleaning with water is the best thing for soda. Not sure if the LCD screen can handle
water. I most always lubricate contacts after this, often completely spraying
with WD-40 to help remove the water. You can try applying a lubricant like
CRC 2-26 after cleaning the buttons.

greg

 

[BH]

Cleaning with water is the best thing for soda. Not sure if the LCD screen can handle
water. I most always lubricate contacts after this, often completely spraying
with WD-40 to help remove the water. You can try applying a lubricant like
CRC 2-26 after cleaning the buttons.

greg- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Clean with water. Next only allow diet pop in the car. Sugar makes
good glue.

Bruce

 

[William R. Walsh]

Hi!

I repeated this cleaning procedure twice. Each time the same end results.
Anyone wants to theorize what may be happening?

I don't think you got all the soda out. It can be quite difficult to fully
remove spills from electronic equipment without pulling it apart and
cleaning each piece by hand.

The chemicals (and sugar!) that are in soda can also eat circuit traces and
cause corrosion. I think corrosion is a possibility that must be considered,
although it isn't all that likely...damaged circuit traces are really
unlikely.

The denatured alcohol shouldn't damage anything, but it may drive
lubricating grease out of moving parts. If you are worried, try the alcohol
on a part of the radio's faceplate that can't be easily seen should
something go wrong.

William