Hi
I have a 2GB Sansa Clip I bought about 4-5 years ago, and have been very happy with it.
It’s running software version 01.01.30A.
However, recently, and for no apparent reason it is suffering power failures.
It would just turn off, regardless of how much battery it has left, how long it’s been running or what it is doing. And when turning back on (which is sometimes difficult to do) it does not remember the last thing it was playing.
After some more testing it seems to turn off when turned at different angles, almost as if there is a broken piece inside that is opening/closing the connection. When shaking it there is a faint ratteling inside, but I can’t be certain that it isn’t the power switch making noise.
This certainly looks like a hardware problem.
So, how do I open it up and fix it? Is there a schematic somewhere I can look at?
Thanks
Max
There have been various posts here and especially at the Clip threads at anythingbutipod.com about opening up the Clips–generally, a matter of prying the top and bottom halves apart, it often being recommended to start at the left-side larger openings (a few plastic clips inside the Clip hold it together). Schematics also have been posted at anythingbutipod and/or rockbox.com. You should be able to find all of this with some quick searches, if others don’t post direct links.
In the meanwhile, I found some links, including to a video on this, through a search engine search: https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=opening+Clip%2B.
Good luck!
It’'s normal for the original Clip’s switches to rattle a wee bit. If you hold the device from the sides, touching the switch sliders with a finger, you shouldn’t hear any other rattles.
The internal battery of the original Clip is held in place with a special adhesive tape strip. There is a gap between the battery and the interior case edge, and the battery can work its way free. Eventually, one of the three battery wires can break from the circuit board.
If you carefully split the case, and be sure that the little switch slider isn’t misplaced, the wire is easily soldered into service. Be sure that you do NOT pry on the battery pouch, as the lithium-polymer battery cell is fragile. Be very careful, and apply a new strip of foam tape, or better yet, a small dab of silicone adhesive will do the job.
The key precaution here is to be careful working with the battery unit. When opening the case, use a small pry tool, there are some really nice plastic ones made for servicing mobile devices. A knife edge can be hazardous, both to your hands, and the internals of the Clip.
A handy test to see if the battery wire is broken, using the original Clip, is that the device is “dead” unless plugged in to the USB port.
Bob :stuck_out_tongue:
I wonder if this thing could work without a battery. Perhaps you could buy a portable usb charger, and just keep the Clip plugged in when possible.
http://www.amazon.com/Duracell-Instant-Charger-Includes-Universal/dp/B002FU6KF2
Edit: Maybe I should’ve looked at how old this thread is before posting. Oh, well.
Well, I got it open and looked around in there.
True enough, the battery had come loose of its adhesive strips, and pulled the negative battery wire loose.
I gently pulled the battery out and was able to resolder the wire, testing that it works before closing everything up.
My double-sided adhesive foam tape seemed to be too thick, so I used a drop of silicone glue to keep the battery from moving around.
Put it all back together again, the case snapped back together nicely.
A little bit of scoring around the seam is a small price to pay for a once again fully functioning aexcellent media player.
Thanks for all your suggestions!