Help I've Broken My 520

1304 · Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 1:30 pm Post subject: Help I've Broken My 520

Hi, Can anyone help with this....I've just tried to replace the battery on my TT520, I managed to get the back open and remove the two bottom screws, but the top one that also has a small connector under it proved to much for the screw driver (that was supplied with the new battery) and either the screw head rounded off or the screw driver has rounded off but either way It wouldn't come undone. The result being that as I tried to undo the screw a small metal/flat bar with a funny shape at either end fell out, the result being that not only did I fail to change the battery but now the screen is blank.
The charging light comes on when placed on the base unit and it connects to TT home, but the screen is completely blank.
I have tried to find were the little plate/bracket should fit but to no avail.
I realise I've probably killed it, but just maybe there is someone out there that can help,or maybe know were I can send it for a sympathetic repair.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

1304 · Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 4:29 pm Post subject:

Quick update, I've just had another mess with it, and it looks like that metal strip is not metal but plastic!. Just to add to the mix it is now in two half's, it was connected by a broad strip of gold connector and a pair of wire's, but I manged to disconnect the wires (They ran to a sensor on the front) the connection was not held in by nothing other than a strip of sticky tape. So I'm assuming that the plastic strip somehow held the gold connector strip in. I have tried to hold the connector in place and restart the unit, but no go.
So that's the situation up to now,still can't get the screws undone.

DennisN · Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 5:09 pm Post subject:

Look at Mikealder's post HERE
_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

mikealder · Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 5:39 pm Post subject:

If you have broken the brown plastic connector retainer strip the unit is shot, it's not something that is a DIY repair, if either pivot points on the end of the bar or the sockets they fit in to in the socket have snapped off the device is beyond repair - Mike

1304 · Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 6:21 pm Post subject:

Bad news, it looks like I have broken the beige connector block that fastens to the mother board. It has a brown clip that some how holds the gold ribbon in place. I simply cannot fathom out how the clip and bracket work. I will not give up though, there must be a way of fixing it, I cannot let a perfectly good sat nav get thrown away just for the sake of one connector.

Guivre46 · Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 6:53 pm Post subject:

Mike Alder does not often say a device is completely b******d. When he does I suggest you save yourself some trouble. Though with the current range of Tomtoms not offering anything like your device does, I can understand your reluctance to give up.
_________________
Mike R [aka Wyvern46]
Go 530T - unsupported
Go550 Live [not renewed]
Kia In-dash Tomtom

justbrowsing · Frequent Visitor Joined: Nov 10, 2011 Posts: 679

Why not buy a cheap-as-chips x20 or x30 "for spares or repairs" from ebay and hopefully the retaining clip will be intact?

You can always sell it on again after canibalisation

mikealder · Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 7:41 pm Post subject:

The weak point on the connector is the two hinge points that form part of the socket soldered to the main PCB, they can't be repaired and I wouldn't entertain de-soldering one and then expect to re-use it.

A secondhand unit with a broken screen is one option but then any map updates you have paid for won't be available as the device ID will change along with the main PCB, your existing maps from the broken device won't work with the donor unit either - Mike

1304 · Posted: Sat May 05, 2012 2:18 pm Post subject:

It' not the retaining clip that's the problem it's the mother board female bit. I just cannot for the life of me figure out how the clip is supposed to retain the data ribbon, it just seems to be held in by a small strip of black sticky tape. I've contacted a few sat nav repair centers and I'm just waiting for them to get back to me. I've also emailed a company that repair circuit boards (Locally) so I'll be calling on them on Monday to see if they can sort it. I've looked on ebay for a second hand replacement (720 why not) and they seem to be around the £60-£70 mark, so I'll bear that in mind when (and if) I get some prices in.

I'll keep you posted.

mikealder · Posted: Sat May 05, 2012 2:22 pm Post subject:

The retaining clip is an integral part of the connector strip on the main PCB, if its come away from the connector then its broken.

In use the ribbon cable simply sits under the brown retainer bar, the retainer bar lifts to about 30 degrees to allow the cable to slide in to position, once fully inserted the retainer bar is pushed down to secure the cable in place - Mike

Thermoman · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 12, 2006 Posts: 6

I did exactly the same when changing the battery on my 730.
I countered the problem by placing the ribbon cable precisely in the slot and using a sausage of blu tac warmed in my fingers I formed it onto the cable and into the slot to hold the cable in place.
18 months later and the unit is still in use.

Barry

MrT · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 12:47 pm Post subject:

I have managed to hold cables in place in broken connectors with "hot" glue from a glue gun. Put the cable firmly in place and a dab of hot glue on it where it meets the connector and it usually stays stuck. It has the advantage in future that slight warming softens the glue for removal.

On some connectors the moving piece can be replaced with one from another identical connector. It all depends on the design and exactly what has broken.
_________________
Drivelux

dhn · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 1:17 pm Post subject:

On the weekend, I finally got the guts to replace the battery on my 720 unit. Using the video here as guidance (search on link for tomtom 720):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHcpgbw4bIo&lr=1

I manipulated the parts the way the video showed so that I did not need to remove the cable as I was aware that snapping the connector was a distinct possibilty if that method was used.
_________________
David

Guivre46 · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 11:16 pm Post subject:

You're all brave people. Personally I use a repair service these days.
_________________
Mike R [aka Wyvern46]
Go 530T - unsupported
Go550 Live [not renewed]
Kia In-dash Tomtom

1304 · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2012 9:07 pm Post subject:

I think I may give that a go (Thermoman) I've certainly nothing to lose, I'd almost given up with this problem, but it looks like the end may be insight.

	PocketGPS
	Web