Creative SBS 240 PC Speaker Repaired
Received call from the customer again after few months that speaker repaired by me earlier is not working. Discussed about the fault symptom he told speaker front light is turning ON but no sound from the speaker.
I ask him to send the unit to my place for repair. On arrival, I connected the speaker to my setup I found LED indicator Light is working but no sound from the speaker.
As Power is coming ON but no sound indicates some problem in circuit only. hence I opened the unit for inspection.
So opened the unit & removed the circuit.
I having doubt of the PCB because traces seem degraded.
Checked traces one to one continuity seem OK. Re touched solder on some doubtful joints & turn On the Speaker still same problem.so I tuned Off the switch on the PCB & I heard little sound while it is switching off.
I pressed the switch a few times and suddenly sound started coming from the speaker, checked for dry solder but the solder was fine.
Again I pushed On /Off switch few times & found it works intermittent. So here I found the culprit. I Cleaned the PCB using WD40 & applied few drops in On/Off switch.
This is 10 Pin Switch, not clear why the company used a 10 pin multi-functional switch here as there is no other extra function involved in this speaker. Anyway after applying WD40 drops in switch I kept the unit a side to let the WD40 work.
After 30 minutes I switched ON The unit & speaker now start working normally. I have tried turning it on and off several times and it is working normally.
Sometimes the work isn’t as difficult as we think in advance. So reassembled the Unit & speakers is not ready for pickup.
This article was prepared for you by Yogesh Panchal who works as a Computer Hardware Engineer in Mumbai India.
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Note: You can check his previous repair articles on Artis BT-81 Bluetooth Speaker Not Working & Charging LED Not Visible
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Albert van Bemmelen
September 13, 2025 at 11:52 pm
Although these slide switches may look sturdy on the outside they often have weak copper contacts inside. So if WD40 with its secret ingredients helps, since WD-40's formula is a trade secret, it completely solves the problem.
(The original copy of the WD40 formula was moved to a secure bank vault in San Diego in 2018. To avoid disclosing its composition, the product was not patented in 1953, and the window of opportunity for patenting it has long since closed).
Yogesh Panchal
September 14, 2025 at 9:06 pm
Albert,
These all cleaner are petroleum Products & in business Trade secret is necessary to survive.
Mendis
September 14, 2025 at 12:16 am
Good job
Yogesh Panchal
September 14, 2025 at 9:07 pm
Thanks! Mendis
Mark J
September 14, 2025 at 2:41 am
Yogesh have you ever tried A cleaner called Deoxit? It works well for cleaning switches. Good job on the repair.
Kevin Davison
September 14, 2025 at 7:12 pm
I've never seen Deoxit around. I may have to take a look for that. Another one you may consider is Nu-Trol. For the last 30 years or so I've always kept a can of Nu-Trol on hand for contact cleaning. A former business partner of mine was a Broadcast Radio Engineer and he swore by the stuff. It works great!
Yogesh Panchal
September 15, 2025 at 12:05 am
Kevin Davison,
Some Products are not available Globally & if available prices are too high.
I personally use kerosene,Falcon 530 spray & WD40.
Mark J
September 15, 2025 at 12:12 am
You can buy it on Ebay and Amamzon. It works really well.
Yogesh Panchal
September 14, 2025 at 9:11 pm
Mark J,
Thanks!for your input, not yet tried Deoxit yet but thanks again for info.
Mark
September 14, 2025 at 8:27 am
Good logical diagnosis Yogesh
Yogesh Panchal
September 14, 2025 at 9:11 pm
Thanks! Mark
AdamS
September 15, 2025 at 4:25 pm
If this is standard WD40 that you are using for cleaning switches, I'm afraid this is a bad idea.
It is silicon-based and leaves a residue that not only attracts dust but is an insulator. Whilst it may offer a short-term repair, it is likely to cause problems in the long term.
It is always best to use a proper switch-cleaning lubricant for potentiometers and switches. Deoxit is one and WD40 do actually make one as well, but I've always used Kontakt Chemie Super 10 (which for the last 50 or so years was known as Servisol Super 10)
Yogesh Panchal
September 15, 2025 at 10:47 pm
AdamS,
Thanks! For your update, I used "WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner". WD40 has a wide range of products for various technical commercial sectors.
George Nutzul
September 26, 2025 at 10:07 am
thank you for your detailed article on the computer speaker repair. I was concerned about your using regular WD40 in your repairs for cleaning controls and switches, because that formula leaves an insulating residue that may cause additional problems in the future. Am I correct in thinking you are using a different WD40 product? Just saying "WD40" makes one think of the original oily penetrating oil. Did you mean a different WD40 product that is better suited for electronic applications? Anyway, thank you for your excellent repair articles... I have learned much from them! Blessings to you and your family!