Broken "program number" button on Microkorg

[cpkcpk]

Hey,

The program number 1 button isn't working on my Microkorg. When I switch it on, this is selected by default and the button is lit up, but after changing patches with any of the other program number buttons, the "1" button doesn't work, so it doesn't light up and I can't select any patches such as A11, A21, B31 etc. When I move the edit select wheel to "Arpeg A" to show the steps of the arpeggiator, all 8 steps are lit up including "1", but I can't turn the first step off. All the other program number buttons are working fine.

Any ideas on what the problem could be or how difficult it would be to fix this?

Thanks
Charlie

[Re-Member]

If the light is still appearing to come on but the button is not responding, then it's a dirty contact. You can take it apart if you know what you're doing and clean underneath the rubber thing that makes contact with the circuit board. If you're uncertain how to do this and decide to take it to a repair shop, make sure you specify that it's a dirty contact in advance. No replacement parts should be needed.

[cpkcpk]

Thanks for the reply Re-Member!

I bought some contact cleaner and took the synth apart to clean the dirty contact, but can't reach it because it is covered with a plastic button which is soldered to the other side of the circuit board.
I took some pictures so you can see what I mean..

http://imgur.com/a/lpUSU

Is the only way to clean the contact to desolder this part from the board?

[Narfman96]

You can try spraying the switch. When you press it if it doesn't click like the good ones it will need to be replaced. These are called tactile switches and digikey.com or mouser.com has replacements you can buy. They're really inexpensive so I would buy several... Good luck!!!

[cpkcpk]

Thanks Narfman96!

Ended up replacing it with a new tactile switch. Bit of a tricky soldering job, but works perfectly!