S50 Remote not working? Click here for fix (photos)

[ericshmerick]

Guys,

It seems the S50's remote is not designed that well. The coil that makes contact with the flat battery isn't making good contact with the battery. This caused my remote to stop working. I tried to bend the coil down with a knife (some have used a needle) and it worked...for a few hours. Then my remote was dead again. I decided to take the plunge and dissect my remote.

Attached are photos of the remote, taken apart. I used a very thin blade to snap the unit apart. After that, I bent the coil downwards so it maintains a solid contact with the battery. My advice: be very careful doing this. It is delicate.

Also, I'm certain this voided my warranty (on the remote)...although I don't know how the manufacturer would know I did this (snap apart, snap together).

Anyhow, I hope you find this useful. My remote finally works now.









This is what it looks like "stock." Notice the coil is almost flat against the circuit board. It doesn't reach out enough to maintain contact with the battery, causing the remote not to work.



I tried to bend the interior coil forward, but it didn't work. I just used my fingers and bent the entire coil forward (see next photo).


It's kind of hard to notice, but the clip is bent forward much more than it was originally. As a result, it maintains contact with the thin battery.

[DAB]

Thanks for posting this. I have made it a sticky. Seems others are having this problem as indicated by the recent post in the S50 thread.

[Toka]

Thanks for the tip, I'll have to try this...tired of having to remove/re-insert the battery every time I want to use the damn thing!!

[gadawg]

Hey, thanks for the info....worked great!! A little unnerving breaking it apart but the end result was worth it. What a p.i.t.a. the remote was before doing this. Thanks again.

[DrSinn]

Mind is doing well, but if it begins to give me trouble ....I know what to do.....


Thanks for the tip

[N_801]

i had the same problem with my starmate replay remote. I took a piece of electrical tape and put it inside the battery cover to push down on the battery. Working great

[joesal905]

Any other options other than taking the remote apart? I do not feel comfortable doing that.

[ericshmerick]

Originally Posted by joesal905

Any other options other than taking the remote apart? I do not feel comfortable doing that.

Maybe call Directed Electronics and tell them your remote isn't working properly? That's what I initially did and the just said mail it to them and they would replace it.

I didin't do that because the general design of the remote is poor (battery connection). A new remote would have the same problem. This is why I fixed my remote on my own.

They need to revise the design of the remote.

[Judgeless]

Originally Posted by ericshmerick

They need to revise the design of the remote.

If they do I hope they add a back light. You can not see the buttons at night unless you turn on your overhead light.

[davejulien]

Originally Posted by Judgeless

If they do I hope they add a back light. You can not see the buttons at night unless you turn on your overhead light.

I believe he was referring to fixing the battery problem. Not a redesign that would add new features like a back light.

I operate my remote in absolute darkness with no problems. Once you understand the layout it's fairly easy to navigate.

[moroboshi]

Originally Posted by davejulien

I believe he was referring to fixing the battery problem. Not a redesign that would add new features like a back light.

I operate my remote in absolute darkness with no problems. Once you understand the layout it's fairly easy to navigate.

I committed the layout to memory. Luckily, the important buttons are on the periphery of the remote, or are different enough from the rest as to be found through tactile feedback.

[Sirius_Rich]

I just straightened out a paper clip and lifted up on the spring a few times without the disassembly. Worked great for me.

[joesal905]

I will give the paper clip a try and see if that works... The remote as it is now is too unreliable... It works sometimes and not other times....

[goosedude]

I reinserted the battery and everything has been fine since. But after looking at your photos....wouldn't it be easier to just insert a piece of electrical tape or paper below the contact keep it constantly bent or provide pressure to the battery??

[LA3Pete]

Great post. Thanks!

I've had this issue with one of my 4 remotes (2 cars, 2 homes) and have been to lazy to investigate myself.