Altec iM7 All in One iPod Dock and Sound System - Problems

[Pete B]

I was very impressed when I first heard one of these at a friend's place and
bought one off ebay. It worked for about two weeks then failed. Bought another
and the same thing happened. I use these from line in and have no use for the
iPod dock just to be clear.

I opened the first one, and noticed that there was the brownish glue on the circuit
board that has turned nearly black, it actually looks burnt. There is some oxidation
where it came in contact with ceramic caps and transistors in the power supply so
I tried to scrape off the glue around those components. Now it works!

I was not able to get much of the glue off, any suggestions on a solvent to use,
acetone?

 

[bowtie427ss]

I'd be sorely tempted to post this question on the Parts Express forum.

Left to my own devices i would start with the weakest solvents first, like rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip, and once i got up to plastic pipe solvent(MEK) i'd throw in the towel if that doesn't cut it.

I do wonder if folks that buy these should look into removing that glue before it goes thru whatever chemical change is taking place.

 

[Pete B]

I forgot to mention that people talk about this type of glue becoming conductive
after 10-20 years. I'm not sure if it is _that_ glue but guessing that it is. I've
never come across it before.
Anyone familiar with this problem and how to identify the glue?