Help fault finding a Pioneer DJ Controller LEDS not working! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: djmarkfromuk
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 24, 2023, 10:04:42 pm
content: Hi Guys. Hoping this is the correct group to post my problem in?It’s a long story but I’m currently trying to diagnose and solve a mystery of several LEDs not working on a recent DJ midi controller I bought (I like a challenge!).I would appreciate if some of you more experienced in electronics could point me in the right direction in trying to fix it myself. I’m good at general electrics, my job is restoring and repairing early Slot Machines, Pinball and Jukeboxes, which have simple solenoids, actual wires to follow and big chunky switches and buttons!PCBs and SMD I’ve never ventured into before. Hopefully if I take you on my journey so far in attempting to understand and trace the problem I have with this unit you may be able to advise me what to do next.If you prefer to view a video of this I’ve uploaded one here.https://youtu.be/ldWapBcNcCAI have also got the schematics for the board which I’ll attach here.DDJ1000 Schematic 3 Pages-compressed.pdfThe unit is made by Pioneer, a DDJ-1000 DJ Controller. The great thing is that it has two of everything, both left and right decks, they use the same boards for both sides. Below each deck are rubber drum type pads, 8 of them with LEDs lighting them, the problem is the left side has 6 of these not working. However, everything else works even the pads, they just don’t display any lights.My 1st attempt to eliminate obvious ribbon cable connection issues, or the main processor board was to simply swap both “pad boards” with each other. The same LEDs were still faulty but now on the right side! I would assume this means it has to be a problem on the board. Whilst looking over the “faulty” one it looks likely to have had a liquid spill, (quite common for DJ equipment with party goers leaning over the decks with a pint!). I Cleaned the board with Isopropyl. Still no cure!I discovered on YouTube how to test LEDs (they are RGB colour), and everyone of the ones that do not light up actually work fine when I probe with my multi metre. (They all displayed each colour! Weird!). So that tells me the LEDs are not the problem.If you watch my video you’ll see why I think this can be repaired without having to buy a whole new board, plus I’m enjoying the detective work so far! But now I’m stuck and not sure how to check other components. If you think you can help advise my next move I’d appreciate it.Check the video for more info.https://youtu.be/ldWapBcNcCAThank you.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2023, 10:08:19 pm
content: Prolly better in the Repair section.

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2023, 10:28:24 pm
content: Quotecould be a corroded track caused by the liquid.As its all the leds id be looking at anything common to them all first

author: djmarkfromuk
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 24, 2023, 10:57:14 pm
content: Wasn't sure which group to put it in, did think it would be better in REPAIR, but then saw the tag line for Beginners - "newbies to ask questions. Include detail & what you have already done".I guess I'll try and move it.Thanks to reply regarding check tracks, I have tonight tried to trace all tracks on PCB and so far all seem good, well as least my multimeter beeps on continuity setting!!!

author: DrGeoff
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2023, 11:08:57 pm
content: I've had to repair several CDJs over the years. The DDJ decks aren't that much different.There's usually a flat cable between the boards and this can sometimes come loose or be kinked and have a hairline fracture.It's an easy fix and usually wiggling it will bring the LEDs back so you know it needs repairing.Also, the Play/Pause button PCB tends to get cracked a lot, usually by techno and trap DJ's banging them way too hard

author: djmarkfromuk
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 25, 2023, 12:20:40 pm
content: Could an administrator please move this topic to REPAIR category please. I cannot find an option, don't really want to duplicate a posting in 2 areas. Thank you.

author: djmarkfromuk
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 25, 2023, 11:24:33 pm
content: In case anyone was interested, the DDJ1000 unit is now fixed. Took me a whole Sunday to find issue and fix. It turned out that the "thru-holes" had lost the connection between the top and bottom of board, I guess from a liquid spillage the lining of the holes got corroded. Ended up putting solder through the holes, except one that just wouldn't work (holes were very small). Ended up achieving the connection via a small jump lead soldered from top to bottom of tracks.As many of you have found in your early days, when something works, the feeling is great. I studied those schematics again and again.A great learning curve for me... Bring on the next one!

author: DrGeoff
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2023, 12:09:06 am
content: Good to hear Mark! Yeah, the external fluids leaking inside can make a mess. Coke particularly!Here's an image you might appreciate