MK7 WS Left side light issues

[coolwavepic]

I have a MK7WS and the left lighting panel is starting to flicker when the blue light is active (gets dim but not 100% out yet). Red and Green colors are fine..

What is causing this and can it be fixed easily?

How do you get into the light panels? I see there are tabs on the side, I assume pushing on those tabs removes the light guard?

Any thoughts?

[hipistef]

As far as getting to the side strip lighting /optics… open both doors, lower and mid panel doors, with mid door open… LIFT the top panel off…slide up (panel on upper/top display). That’s funny I have a mk7 with the optics but not the module to run them… talk about ironic..I’m trying to the parts to activate…

[jakah440]

There is a driver board in the top box that has phone type connectors that go to the left and right LED strips. they can get corrosion on them. Might try cleaning them.

Might also try reversing the plugs from the two sides to see if it changes sides. If so i would guess the driver board is going bad.  If it stays then it's probably the wiring or the strip itself.
I have had to replace a couple of the LEDs on these strips before and it's a bit daunting removing the strips from the machine. the adhesive is very good.

To access the LED strips you will need to remove the white plastic covers. There are 5 Phillips head screws per side to remove. you then have to pry the white lens off, there are tabs that hold it in place.  I might add that this pert you need to be careful as it can be brittle.

Justin

[coolwavepic]

OK so it seems that the phone connector is the problem or what it plugs in to. If I wiggle the phone cord it will bring back the brightness. Do you know what type of connector it is? Looks like a RJ11 (Standard phone cord) but I when I try to connect that it doesnt click in the controller board... maybe something a tad smaller or bigger?

Justin -
So when I remove the 5 screws from the machine, the White cover seems to be still attached. I assume its not coming off because of the adhesive? How much force does it need? I guess I need to know where exactly is the adhesive is glued to the cover. Just want to know where the glue is so I am not breaking anything.

[jakah440]

There are tabs that hold the white plastic lens in place. I use a flat screwdriver to pry it loose. I’ll see if I can find any markings on the plug. Is it possible to see if there are cold solder joints on that plug?

[coolwavepic]

I guess I don't have to open it up as I sort of fixed the issue.

I replaced the phone cord and now it has a snug connection and my lights are bright again. EXCEPT for BLUE!! Now it is out completely. Not sure if it was my splce job but if anyone has the pinout for that phone cord, can you please share?

I dont think my blue lights are dead as when I wiggled the phone cord, it worked perfectly.

[jakah440]

Charles,
Here is the wiring for the LED's at the plug.  There is a connector on the LED strip that may be bad as well. It is super fragile and can be ripped off the strip pretty easy. be real careful on that side of the cable.

See attached
Justin

[coolwavepic]

Back up and running with the lights. Thanks Justin for the pin out. It turns out when I replaced the RJ11 one of my splices was loose so I respliced it and it work.

It was an easy fix and all “refurbished” machines you buy from someone should replace those.

[jakah440]

Glad to hear you got it working!

Justin