A Complete Guide to Fix the Flickering or Dimming Backlight LCD of logitech Z 5500 D

|` FIX YOUR DYING or DEAD BACK-LIGHT OF LOGITECH Z5500 CONTROL POD `|


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WARNING! :- Attempting to do this work will any how void any kind of WARRANTY policies left on this Product. Please do it at your own RISKS and RESPONSIBILITIES.
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[However, in my case the product was still under warranty period (Since just 3 months i bought it) but couldn't live with out this monster, May be not even on those RMA days ]

[ Tags:- z5500 lcd problem or z-5500 lcd problem or z 5500 lcd problem or Project or Mod or Repair or Service for the Fading or Dying LED of Z-5500 or Z5500 or Control POD or Digital Control Centre or Center]

First of all, this project requires two Important points i.e enough patience and good self Control. However as its a time consuming process.., it took around 3 to 4 Hr's for me to complete the job...

Also you might need some basic skills in soldering as well as lil bit of logical thinking...

Ok lets get started NOW..

A - Getting started :-



You will need Six basic Stuffs in order to complete this mod
1 - A L-key

2 - A Philps Star Screw Driver

3 - A Digital or Analogue Multimeter

4 - SMD type LED's (White Preferred) or A circuit Board of an old cell phone to grab the correct SMD LED which i did (Optional)
|- LED Model / Part No : 0x0020

5-A Point Type low Watt Soldering Iron [≤ 30W is Recommended]

6- A Resin Based Solder [Note: When using non-resin based solder, be sure to apply a solder paste to the part before applying the solder]

Ok , Now i assume you have got all the stuffs ready with you.
Now Before geting on to Logitech's control POD its very important to grab Some new LED's to replace the old one's.
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B - Gaining new LED's :-

The trick i used was screwing one of my old cell phone in order to get new LED's as even these are minature One's. However its always up to you to how to get it. May be you can ask with some mobile technician. .
You will need a total of Six LED's and atleast two or three as back up's as if in case you kills one or two. So a total of eight or even more may be better...



The Red-Box Marks are the One we were looking for. yeah those small tiny peanut's... just pluck them. Use the soldering iron on either sides of an LED's terminal's to release it from the Circuit Board.
The LED's i gained emits perfect white light. So in this guide i have included an easy step to transform it in to BLUE which you will see soon...

[Caution:- Applying too much heat or holding the soldering iron for a long time near the LED will surely damage it]

Ok now we have some new LED's.
Lets have a closer look at them.....



My cam struggled a bit to get focused on these tiny nuts i must say..
Ok, now its time to move on to the multimeter...

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C -Multimeter Settings :-

Now its time to identify the polarity of new gained LED's as it will glow only in one respective manner or polarity.
We will seek the help of a multimeter to identify it. Keep the multimeter settings in Ohms Ω [between 1000 - 2000].
May be the below preview would help you



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Now check the LED's with the multimeter as shown below. As it is polarity sensitive remember to interchange the polarities and check until it glows.



Once you determine the right polarity , be sure to mark them, as you may forget or to avoid confusions later .

So have you found it ??? Cool. Then keep it safe.. Lets now move on to the HEART of Logitech Z-5500

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D- Disassembling the Logitech Z5500 Control POD :-

First, make use of the L-key to remove the stand of the control POD.



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Secondly , remove the volume knob as it would block the front cover if not done so. At first you will have to use some force to pull (i.e Perpendicular to the body) the Knob.
Please dont tilt while removing as it can cause severe damage to it.



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Now use a slim type (Flat) screw driver to separate the POD's casing a part..



Use the screw driver or any flat material to release its lock

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Now it must look something like below ...



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Ok, now lets get in to the real thing. The pic shown below represents the PCB of the LCD panel



Un-tighten those four screws and tilt the black metal lock [Shown in Red box] in position so that the C-board and display gets detached..

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That means , it should look something like shown below ...



Now carefully separate the LCD panel then the light spread glass sheet followed by it. You need to use a lil bit pressure here to remove the glass sheet as it is glued on the board

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Now you might be wondering about how would be the polarity of these tiny LED's on the board. Do not worry, here below is the layout of its sign indications..



Now record these sign notes on your mind.. or write it somewhere where u can easily interact.

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I recommend you ppl to use this particular angle to solder as you don't have to remove the black casing for doing it.



However its according to your convenience though, removing the black case is not advisable as it may cut the hidden wires behind the Master PCB

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Now get the gained LED's and put them on to the board matching the correct polarity.
Please be VERY ACCURATE in this part, as single LED soldered (out of six) in an unmatched polarity or improperly will result all your work in total vain that even a single LED wont light UP, unless all the SIX are soldered to the board properly !! (Note: Light up here in the sense, only when the control POD is powered and switched on. But not with the multimeter)

I felt a bit difficult to keep the LED seated on the board as it jumps out of the board when it see the hot solder Iron coming .... lol
So i had to use this technique i.e holding the LED with another screw driver and doing the job.
After soldering each LED, test them up using the multimeter in order to confirm whether its in good contact with the board's circuit or not. And if the connection is perfect then it won't Light Up..
!!!!!!! I REPEAT IT WONT LIGHT UP !!!!!!!!



As i mentioned before , do remember to apply a lil bit of soldering paste on to the board if u are on non-resin based solder's.

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Ok !! Have you completed all stuffs..???
Then, its time to watch our Good Works......



Iam Sure , you will appreciate yourselves when you see these bright lights.
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Lets have a closer look at it...



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E- Transforming Gained LED's White Color to Blue

This step is completely Optional as Depending up on the LED's Default color and user's interest.

The LED's which i gained emits perfect white light which iam not satisfied with. So i thought of a simple way to transform its emitted color to every one's fav, thats a Cool Blue color.
The technique was as simple as just a cake.. thats just color coating the LED's with a permanent Blue-Ink marker



Oh ya !! The Marker i used was " Pilot -Twin Marker-Super Color Marker SCA-TM-B "

Note:- The transformed color gets paled eventually. So getting default Blu-Color LED's are highly recommended.

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After transformation it should look something like this ....



Now you might be wondering how the transformed LED's would light Up..
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Its always as expected or sometimes even better.....,



Cooooool Haaa...????? Alright !!

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F- Assembling the LCD back :-

Ok Fella's, Dont forget why we are here...
Lets do it fast.. Lets put them all back to its native position....



Here the spread sheet goes first in to the board. Press it a lil bit harder so that it will hold good on the default factory glue.
Next the Black LCD block.. Make Sure to wipe of any dirt or dust on it that it may prevent the contact to the liquid crystals which will result in incomplete display.

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Once its complete, tighten the panel by positioning back the black metal teeth which is shown in red BOX. Remember improper tightening will produce some jumbled characters on the screen. So dont be HURRY!!



While doing the job, please place it on a soft surface or cloth so that the PANEL wont get damaged or scratched so easily.

Ok Is Everything Done Perfect ...?!?!?!?!??!???!!!!!!

Yes!!! I hope so !!!

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| Then ItsTime to Watch Some Shows |

Now here is the result of your hard efforts....

Iam Sure , you will be PROUD once you see it....

 

 


Guess, this is how it should illuminate according to the One showed on the Logitech Z-5500's Box...

Safety Tip :- Try shutting down the Power Button Behind the Sub-Woofer when the unit is not used for a longer period as it reduces the amount of heat generated inside the Control POD

Bonus Tips [On Control POD, Hold Time = 5 Sec from Roman I to III] :-
I - Hold the buttons "input" +"effect" to toggle the Diagnostic mode on & off. (Try in Standby Mode)
II - Hold the buttons "input" + "settings" to display the firmware version as well as resetting the firmware. (Try in Standby Mode)
III - Hold the buttons "input" + "effect" + "settings" + "mute" to toggle skin 2 on & off. (Try in Standby Mode)

IV - Hold Mute then turn right the volume knob to add Extra +11 Volume boost at the beginning instead of at end (Try when the Unit is On)

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JMD Projects.

Any comments will be Really Appreciated !!!!


GooD LucK

Regards,
J.M.D