Question about flat flexible cable (ribbon) connector on T1

fallenturtle · Post by **fallenturtle** » Sun Mar 27, 2016 5:25 pm

I'm in the process of trying to repair a Korg T1 I acquired. Most of the buttons don't respond or require multiple presses to respond. Other than this and a dead display back light I thought it might be an easy repair since it sounds like its common for tac buttons to fail overtime.

I've unscrewed the control panels from the case but there is a flat ribbon cable running from one of the boards to the lower side (so I can't see it) of one of the main boards. I'm having trouble figuring out how to disconnect this cable. I've tried some light tugs on it, but it doesn't give. There's some yellow stuff I can see around where the cable has been inserted into the connector that looks like it might have been liquid at some point, so I'm wondering if that's glue.

Here's a photo I took of it: https://goo.gl/photos/XBdRtg78N5SMS3Nw7

Google hasn't been much help but I'm hoping someone here might suggest how I should properly disconnect this cable without ruining it and if it is glued suggest what I should to loosen the glue.

Thanks.

the_crimson_thunder · Post by **the_crimson_thunder** » Sun Mar 27, 2016 6:24 pm

I'm not familiar with a Korg T1 but to me it seem that this 'connector' LOOKS like a real connector but it isn't one... the cable seems to be soldered directly (leading through the plastic housing) to the pcb. You may look at the other end of that cable to see if there's a REAL connector which can be pulled off... I've seen this kind of cable connections many times on several synths.

fallenturtle · Post by **fallenturtle** » Sun Mar 27, 2016 7:52 pm

the_crimson_thunder wrote:I'm not familiar with a Korg T1 but to me it seem that this 'connector' LOOKS like a real connector but it isn't one... the cable seems to be soldered directly (leading through the plastic housing) to the pcb. You may look at the other end of that cable to see if there's a REAL connector which can be pulled off... I've seen this kind of cable connections many times on several synths.

I did decide to take the extra effort to detach the board the cable was running to and the ribbon slipped freely out, so I'm guessing its just designed to disconnect easily from on end.