• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Crackly volume pot left side only

D

dubbldee

New Member
Pioneer SX 3400 (first noob cleaning job) I did clean the pots from inside and out not with deoxit, but with a contact and head aerosol cleaner, didn't have deoxit.
All switches and pots are noise free, except the volume knob, balance left only being scratchy. Would that be the volume pot? How could that be left side scratchy only? The balance knob produces no scratch from either side.
Advice?
 
Register to hide this ad
Maybe a bit of dirt has been caught in the 'washer' or 'fader blade' or whatever you want to call it, the thing the slides over the traces in the potmeter.

Did you disassemble the pots when you cleaned them?
 
I'm not sure I'd describe it as easy, it's a delicate process, so do be careful, the fader blades are rather fragile.

Once the pot is disassembled, you can clean the fader blades with a toothbrush or q-tip, soaked in contact cleaner, be gentle.
The traces can be cleaned with q-tips or some fiber free cloth, and contact cleaner, gently, you don't want to damage the traces, that will cause channel imbalances in the affected areas.

When done, give it a last spray of cleaner which you don't wipe off, to lube everything.
 
I just realized this vol pot is actually soldered.
Duh. Of course it is, and has to be detached
To be disassembled, correct?
 
dubbldee said:
I just realized this vol pot is actually soldered.
Duh. Of course it is, and has to be detached
To be disassembled, correct?
Click to expand...

That depends on how the chassis of your amp is made, and how the pot is made.

If you can remove the face place, so that the front of the pot, with the stick sticking out of it, is free, then you might be able to take it apart without unsoldering it.
There should be some screws on the back side of the pot if it can be disassembled.

Here is a pic that can give an idea of what you might encounter:

rk401ni1.jpg
 
Did you try the old turn the power off and rotate the knob fully in both directions real fast and at least 20-30 times?
That usually will clean the dirt off and make it smooth again. doesn’t always work but it doesn’t hurt anything and it may save a repair bill.

The older stuff is the worst if it hasn’t been used very much.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom