Launch Day 60GB PS3 YLOD!

[Solid Lifters]

Bump

Well, took it apart and I've been stopped by the last two screws that attach the HDD cage to the board. I can't get these two damn screws to loosen. I don't have a proper set of phillips head screw drivers in the size needed (#0 or #00). So, I can't go any further until I get a new screwdriver set.

What I found wasn't as bad as I thought. It was bad, though. A lot of dust, some the size of medium sized cigars, but not on the heat sink or the fan. However, the thermal paste was mostly chalk. And, the person who applied it did a lousy job. Air pockets all over the place! It's no wonder it failed! They also put way too much, which is also not good for heat transfer. It was oozing from all sides of both processors.

So, I need a new screwdriver set, possibly a new fan, though my 15 blade (the good ones are the 19 blade) fan appears to be OK, heat gun and some thermal paste. All said and done, I think I just might be better off buying a new slim PS3 and then buying a card reader for it.

What has me worried are what parts I need to fix this thing. The fan stopped working, which caused my YLOD. Now, was the fan dead, or what? It was still connected and should have been working. I guess I have to figure out a way to test the fan when it's out of the PS3, and then test the power connection for the fan. Or, was it a heat sensor problem? Or, was it the paste on the processors failed, and that caused the fan to stop working?

I'll update you on how it goes.

 

[NLxAROSA]

What has me worried are what parts I need to fix this thing. The fan stopped working, which caused my YLOD. Now, was the fan dead, or what? It was still connected and should have been working. I guess I have to figure out a way to test the fan when it's out of the PS3, and then test the power connection for the fan. Or, was it a heat sensor problem? Or, was it the paste on the processors failed, and that caused the fan to stop working?

It may just be the PS3 shutting itself down because it's getting too hot? (so no parts are actually damaged). But you already indicated the fan wasn't turning, you may want to try hooking it up to another power source to see if it's still good. Also, now that the PS3 is open, you could verify that it's turning (or not) when you switch it on.

 

[Solid Lifters]

It may just be the PS3 shutting itself down because it's getting too hot? (so no parts are actually damaged). But you already indicated the fan wasn't turning, you may want to try hooking it up to another power source to see if it's still good. Also, now that the PS3 is open, you could verify that it's turning (or not) when you switch it on.

I'm past that. Power supply is out, but I can see if I can hook it up and test the fan. The only thing left are the two stupid #0 phillips screws that are about to strip. I don't feel like putting the power supply back in. Too many steps to do it.

I need to find a way to test the fan. I have a digital multi meter, but it's hard testing the fan through the molex connector. I was thinking of using a 12v 1amp power supply I have for my guitar effect pedals, but again, how am I going to connect it with the molex?

I also thought of using 8 AA batteries. That'll give me 12v and plenty of amps. I know the PS3 fan uses at least 1.7 amps, but I don't know if it's 12v or 24v.


EDIT: Screw it. Bought a new 19 blade replacement fan on eBay. It operates at slower speeds, but pushes more air. So, it should cool the same, but it's more quiet. $40 including shipping and tax. I sure hope this works.

I also bought a new Wiha precision screwdriver set because of the last two screws are too small for my current driver set. Another $34 spent.

I also put a bid on a new heat gun. Another $25 if I win. That's $99 for this rebuild. Another $50 and I could have had Sony do it, but I wouldn't have the new cool tools.

 

[Jay]

Theres a chance that you don't even need to do a reflow, just apply some good thermal paste on and it might be good to go. It only takes seconds for a processor to overheat without correct cooling.

 

[Solid Lifters]

Theres a chance that you don't even need to do a reflow, just apply some good thermal paste on and it might be good to go. It only takes seconds for a processor to overheat without correct cooling.

Yes, I plan to take it safe. Adding a bunch of heat doesn't sound like a great idea, but people have proved it works. I better option than using a heat gun in putting it in the oven at 250 degrees for 20 minutes. I think the components can handle that amount of heat, and the solder should easily melt.

Again, I'll do that as a last resort. For now, it's just replace the fan, clean out the dust and reapply the thermal paste.

 

[BroncosXR8]

Gday there Solid. I experienced pretty much what your going through twice with my launcg 60gb. Both times I sent it back to SONY, it cost $150 the first time, the second under warranty they replaced it, however I could only have it replaced with an 80gb (bummer since I paid the extra for more USB ports). I didnt go down the route of repairing it myself since my original had been back to SONY for other previous faults the first being a cooked gfx card (4 returns before getting it replaced).

My synopsis is that the 60gb had poor cooling/ and or shoddy application of the thermal grease.

Anyway I hope you have better luck than I did mate.
BroncosXR8

 

[NLxAROSA]

My synopsis is that the 60gb had poor cooling/ and or shoddy application of the thermal grease.

The 40GB has problems too, the fans go to hyperspeed when playing a game. I heard this from several other people who have a 40GB PS3. My 80GB doesn't suffer from it at all, the fans never go to hyperspeed, not even on hot days.

 

[TAFKADY]

The 40GB has problems too, the fans go to hyperspeed when playing a game. I heard this from several other people who have a 40GB PS3. My 80GB doesn't suffer from it at all, the fans never go to hyperspeed, not even on hot days.

Affirmative, my 40 GB wasn't 2 years old when it got YLOD on Christmas 09. I tried to fix it (paste and heat), unsuccessfully. Now I have the Slim. I'm still a little sad.

 

[bevo]

I have a launch day 60 gig, and Have barely ever noticed the fan on. It does seem like lately though I have noticed it more then others, but I have never heard it be loud enough to notice 5 different fan speeds.
It might be because I have my surround sound blasting though. I tend to ever due everything when it comes to sound.

My 360 though is always noticeable. It kicks on as soon as I turn on the console and rarely ever kicks off.

 

[Solid Lifters]

Affirmative, my 40 GB wasn't 2 years old when it got YLOD on Christmas 09. I tried to fix it (paste and heat), unsuccessfully. Now I have the Slim. I'm still a little sad.

Looks like I'm in the same boat as you.

Didn't work. I still get a YLOD. But, I did NOT flow the solder with the heat gun or oven. That's next. But I have a HUGE problem.

The ribbon cable retaining clip for the BD broke. Now, the ribbon cable wont stay connected in place. What are the odds of this cable falling easily out, causing a YLOD? Good, I say. I used electrician's tape (the good stuff) to hold the cable in place, but I doubt if its going to keep working.

So, do I take it apart all over again? Wipe off all the new thermal paste and apply it fresh once I reflow the board with the heat gun? I guess I'll try, but that busted ribbon cable clip is really frickin irking the snot out of me! I want to give up and just buy a new slim PS3, but I can't use my new fan, which starts to power on BTW, just before the YLOD. So, at least that's working.

Oh, you can't believe all the dried thermal paste, condensation (some type of moisture), dust and other such crud that came from under the RSX and Cell chips. I'm beginning to see why I got a YLOD. I think the heat from the reflow process evaporates the condensation, whatever the hell it is.


EDIT: Took it all apart, again. I need new thermal paste. The paste I added was perfectly covered, but a bit too much on the Cell. Now I know how much exactly to add. Also, I know not to use the thermal paste I did. The stuff I used was so runny, it dripped all over the place when I had to flip the board over to attach the metal plate.

Also, when I turned it on, I noticed the YLOD came on instantly. Before, the PS3 would come on and stay on for 90 seconds, with no fan spinning, then YLOD. However, the fan comes on, as I have said before, and the PS3 quickly gives the YLOD and shuts off.

Well, this is it. If the reflow doesn't work, I'm done and happy to get a new slim PS3. I don't want to fuss with this thing anymore. The launch day PS3 were just too flawed to last more than a few years. I'm going to keep it in case of the class action lawsuit is finalized and I can get something for it.

 

[TAFKADY]

Looks like I'm in the same boat as you.


EDIT:
...

Also, when I turned it on, I noticed the YLOD came on instantly. Before, the PS3 would come on and stay on for 90 seconds, with no fan spinning, then YLOD. However, the fan comes on, as I have said before, and the PS3 quickly gives the YLOD and shuts off.

Well, this is it. If the reflow doesn't work, I'm done and happy to get a new slim PS3. I don't want to fuss with this thing anymore.
...

That's what I'm stuck with, instant YLOD with working fan. I even did the fan test twice to get my disc out of the drive. I wish you good luck for your final attempt!

 

[eSZee]

I've used an air compressor on my launch ps3 maybe 2-3 times in the past 3+years. The room it sits in gets a bit dusty and having a big dog hat sheds doesn't help. Anyway, no problems to report other than it freezing in MW2 once in a while.

 

[Solid Lifters]

I've used an air compressor on my launch ps3 maybe 2-3 times in the past 3+years. The room it sits in gets a bit dusty and having a big dog hat sheds doesn't help. Anyway, no problems to report other than it freezing in MW2 once in a while.

As my PS3 was getting older, I got game freezes. Especially since Uncharted 2 and MW2. It could be a bad sign for you. It's the RSX (GPU) overheating and freezing.

Well, I didn't feel like getting new thermal paste, and since the woman offered me a new Slim PS3 for my birthday, I decided just to go with a new PS3.

However, I'll get new thermal paste, and put it back together. It's just not a major concern for me right now. I accept the fact that my LD 60GB PS3 is dead. The YLOD is not a permanent fix. It's just a fix for enough time to transfer save data, backup the HDD or take your game disk out. If you try to play marathon sessions of MW2 online, it's not going to make it.

Fin.

 

[Dbo129]

Well I'm sad to admit the demise of my 60gb PS3 which was my fault which makes it suck even harder. I live in a super small appartment and I smoke. To make a long story short I looked up on Utube how to clean BD lens. Seemed simple after watching it so I went out and bought the T10 torx security wrench and procceeded to take my beloved 60GB PS3 apart to clean the lens that was dirtied by my nasty cigarette habbit. Went well the first time. Cleaned it, put it back together and put in PS3 game and it worked! Up until I went to eject the game and the darn disk was stuck:tdown: so I took the PS3 appart again to rescue my game and fix it were my games wouldn't eject...well let me tell you something for all you 60gb PS3 owners if you ever decide to clean your lens MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT BREAK THE TWO BLACK AND RED SMALL WIRES that hook to the BD mother-board and the BD case. One tiny red wire and one tiny black wire. I think it regesters that your trying to put a disk in. Now not only will my PS3 not except any disk at all, but I can't get the HDD games to load either So sad. I didn't even know I pulled the wires from the mother board, thats how easly they pulled out. So please please be careful and don't suffer from my fate. I have to drop $300.00 USD on a new one. Which is cool I suppose...in a way. I'll have double the HDD and a newer machine, I just try to find the bright side to every situation I can. I just want a new machine before GT5 is released.

 

[Solid Lifters]

Well I'm sad to admit the demise of my 60gb PS3 which was my fault which makes it suck even harder. I live in a super small appartment and I smoke. To make a long story short I looked up on Utube how to clean BD lens. Seemed simple after watching it so I went out and bought the T10 torx security wrench and procceeded to take my beloved 60GB PS3 apart to clean the lens that was dirtied by my nasty cigarette habbit. Went well the first time. Cleaned it, put it back together and put in PS3 game and it worked! Up until I went to eject the game and the darn disk was stuck:tdown: so I took the PS3 appart again to rescue my game and fix it were my games wouldn't eject...well let me tell you something for all you 60gb PS3 owners if you ever decide to clean your lens MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT BREAK THE TWO BLACK AND RED SMALL WIRES that hook to the BD mother-board and the BD case. One tiny red wire and one tiny black wire. I think it regesters that your trying to put a disk in. Now not only will my PS3 not except any disk at all, but I can't get the HDD games to load either So sad. I didn't even know I pulled the wires from the mother board, thats how easly they pulled out. So please please be careful and don't suffer from my fate. I have to drop $300.00 USD on a new one. Which is cool I suppose...in a way. I'll have double the HDD and a newer machine, I just try to find the bright side to every situation I can. I just want a new machine before GT5 is released.

I don't know what wires you speak of, but then I never took apart the BD part. However, can't the red and black wires be soldered back into place? I noticed the tiny black wire with the very tiny BNC connector that goes to the memory card reader. Are your wires similar to that? If so, they can easily be solder back into place.

I just put my PS3 back together again without bothering to do the lead reflow. I'm saving it to part it out or to see what happens to any class action lawsuits.