Studer-Sony-MCI-Pro Servicing transport control buttons (Sony APR)
Subject:
Studer-Sony-MCI-Pro Servicing transport control buttons (Sony APR)
From:
"Steve Yarmie" <steve.yarmie@gmail.com>
Date:
2021-12-11, 5:48 p.m.
To:
Studer-Sony-MCI-Pro@groups.io


Responding to a PM regarding a stuck transport button on a Sony APR5000

I was able to restore a 'Play' button using the below method. I'm sure there are other ways to do it, happy to hear recommendations from folks.

###

Remove covers and remove the KBD assembly in the usual way.
Expose the transport buttons - remove the top face plate by taking out the six screws on the under-side of the assembly.
The protective clear plastic sheet under the circuit board should also come off with once those six screws are out.

(optional) Remove button by de-soldering the 5 contact pins
Remove the white button from the housing (see attached photos)
Two prong/clips hold it in, pinch-wiggle it out or gently insert Exacto blade down one Side of the button to help dislodge one of the clips if needed.
Note the orientation: two Sides have clips and the top/bottom are the actuators, 3-pins are along the bottom.

Cleaning options:
Drop the de-soldered button parts into the ultrasonic cleaner
Give parts an alcohol bath and use compressed air to blow out very good
Use contact cleaner/lubricant (optional, I did not need to do this)
Place a teeny drop of silicon grease inside the housing on the sides where the plastic slides (optional, I did not need to do this).

Once dry re-assemble by sliding the button back into the assembly, note orientation.
Button should move freely and evenly with a nice, confident soft-click and spring-back.

###

Notes on the assembly:
The electronic switch and spring is not visible inside the assembly - it is on a small PCB suspended about half-way down inside the assembly.
You can just peek down inside and see the underside of the black actuator on the top and bottom edges of the board.
I assume it would be possible to remove the innards somewhat destructively by dremelling out the red epoxy-looking stuff on the underside, but that's a risky hack if you need to re-assemble and restore it afterwards.

I am sure it would be possible to clean and blow the button innards without de-soldering from the board, just remove the white part, clean, blow, etc.
As can be seen in the pics there is nothing under the buttons, they're sealed on the bottom.

I have thought about dropping an entire board into the ultrasonic cleaner (once removing separating the cover and two boards as well as removing the white parts of the buttons) but have yet to try that.
I'd consider that method experimental but interested in opinions about trying it :)

Anyway once using the ### method ### above the play button works very nicely for me.

-Steve

PS. If the photos did not come with the email let me know.

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play-top.png

play-bottom.png
Attachments:
play-top.png	2.8 MB
play-bottom.png	3.3 MB