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PS3 overheating or problem with the lens?
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txcforeve
Newbie
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17. September 2008 @ 05:06 |
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Since a few days ago, a problem came up with my PS3. As I'm playing the console stops reading the disk and even though you can play for a while if I change level or quit it freezes. At first I thought that maybe it was an overheating problem so I left it to cool down and I moved it to a place where it ventilates better. After a few hours when I tried to play again after roughly 10 minutes it started again. Well I thought that probably the lens was dirty so I opened up my PS3 (as easy as opening a PC), opened the blu ray drive and cleaned the lens with a special lens cleaning liquid. The problem remained.
What it really makes me wonder, is why it works just fine and after a few minutes (if it was really cool it can go to about 20 minutes) stops working. I suspected that I was correct about the overheating and I disassembled my PS3 completely (or at least until the fan was visible). I powered the PS3 up and I noticed that the fan is working very slow (watch a pc fan working and divide it's speed by 100). At first I remember that the PS3 was speeding up the fan to cope with the high temperatures but now is silent (TOO silent if you ask me).
You do you think? Do you think that its a fault lens or overheating? To tell you the truth I believe that the problem is the overheating since if I try to run a game immediately after the console freezes it will only last a couple of minutes max (sometimes it won't even detect the disk).
I know how to change the lens mechanism but I'm not sure how to respond to an overheating problem. Changing the cooler of the PS3 is quite difficult (unless I find one from another PS3). The lens is cheap, about $50 from ebay.
How can I be sure what the problem really is?
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jeice28
Junior Member
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17. September 2008 @ 19:45 |
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My opinion... if the fans are spinning too slowly then its overheating because either your fans are dying, or worse dead. First things first just make sure all connections from the fans are in snugly. If you can run it outside of the case to check your fan speeds do so, and remember they should be spinning about as fast as they would on a laptop, but slightly slower than a computer case fan.
Now don't panic if not all fans kick up, you do have some for exhaust and normally they only kick up when the sensors determine its getting too hot, but I'm not saying anything that isn't already known. If the main processor fan refuses to work see if you can remove the fan and only the fan and go someplace that sells heat sink fans so you can match up wattage, rpm speeds, and size. If it goes faster, but has the same voltage its okay, but it has to match size wise if you are planning on putting it back in its case. This is where I'd start.
Far as opening the unit and using a cleaner... that may be been a bad move. The laser is the same as what's in a DVD player or car audio system you don't want to use any liquid cleaner on it. It doesn't harm the led but what it can do is leave a filmy streaky substance that could cause reading problems. No matter what kind lens cleaning solution it is its going to have at least rubbing alcohol in it.
There is one other possibility: a dirty disc, try cleaning that next, and consider using either a can of air to blow out the fan of any dust buildup or a micro vacuum. I do not think its the player part just yet. If it were it wouldn't be working at all, at least that what I would think. Last thoughts: As long as its not in a entertainment hutch with no ventilation you ought to be okay, and remember heat raises. If your unit is above your TV it could be getting in warm air.
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txcforeve
Newbie
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17. September 2008 @ 20:58 |
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I opened completely the PS3 until I was seeing the fan and boot it up. The fan was working but quite slow. Also I noticed that the metal plate (the one that the blu ray drive and the power supply sit on) was very hot. The problem is that either of them speed up when the temperatures rise up. Even when I felt that the air coming out of the console was burning hot the fans would be still working at 1st gear.
This afternoon I tried the fan test (the one where you hold the eject button and turn on the switch in the back) and the sound the fan made when it started going fast was horrible. It sounded like it wasn't in place or just broken. So yes the conclusion is probably that it overheats and quite fast actually because of a faulty fan. The only thing I can probably do is obtain another fan (unfortunately unlike the 360s the PS3s parts are quite "rare") or try an aftermarket cooler but even if this work will only be temporary so the first choice is the obvious one.
As for the cleaning of the lens, I used a liquid special for this job. It doesn't leave residue and I used those cotton ear cleaners to make sure that nothing was left behind.
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jeice28
Junior Member
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18. September 2008 @ 12:09 |
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you may be able to order it straight through sony, and there could be chance that any retail store who does computer repair may be able to get you that part as well.
Now I know that this seems far fetched as they may only work on computers not console systems; however they may be able to get a look at the schematics and order it for you... odds are though you'll be paying quite a bit if its a specialty fan. Can you get a picture and post it for me on this forum, at least the fan alone and try to make the numbers and letters readable? I'd like to help if I can.
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txcforeve
Newbie
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18. September 2008 @ 13:22 |
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I've ordered one from ebay. The problem is I live in Cyprus and the fan comes from USA so it will take a week or two to arrive. Fortunately PS3 is really easy to disassemble so I won't have to take it to a professional for the repair. To repair my 360 lens I've paid $115!!! The lens cost what $10-15? Think how much they would want for the PS3, $200?
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jeice28
Junior Member
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18. September 2008 @ 18:23 |
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As I said before I don't think the laser lens is the issue just yet. If not mistaken to look at any out of warranty unit is 150... unfortunately they will not look at any unit that has been opened. Either way opening it up means they won't touch it for love, money, or sex for that matter.
I would have thought you'd have at least some local vendor who repairs computers though. I'm not talking like a best buy, or circuit city I'm talking a simple computer geek whose opened up his own shop... then again maybe not.
As far as the lens goes... if you have a small car DVD player for the road your not using consider taking that apart carefully. Diagram every aspect of the lens and the mechanism and see how it can either be replaced or removed. Sometimes all that's required is a small screw driver; sometimes its one piece of metal that's been carefully clamped together... there are a couple different ways it could have been done, including it being one whole piece. My point being here if you've got something you can live without that plays either music or dvd's use these your reference sources if this becomes the next possible issue; preferably something that may already be broken so you don't have to worry about damaging it, and yet it will make very good practice at the same time.
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txcforeve
Newbie
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18. September 2008 @ 18:34 |
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I may not be a professional in fixing electronic stuff, but I understand their "anatomy" pretty well. The problem is in the fan. It either doesn't sit too well or it just died because the place I had it was so closed that all the heat was returning back to the console. Why pay an "expert" to check it and pay him 30 or 40 bucks (just to open it up) when with even less I can buy a new (or at least a working) fan and replace it myself. Opening a PS3 is very easy and trust me if it wasn't I wouldn't even try it.
The lens is almost sure it is not the problem. Think about it. It plays just fine for maybe 10-15 minutes and then it stops reading the disk (it still works but it's obvious that it doesn't read more data, like back then with the PSX when you removed the disk and it kept playing). If I try restarting playing if I'm lucky I will make it work for about 2-3 minutes (sometimes it doesn't even read the disk). But if I leave it for about an hour, it will find and play the disk just fine for again 10-15 minutes.
Well if that's not caused from overheating, then I don't know what it's caused from.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 18. September 2008 @ 18:36
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jeice28
Junior Member
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21. September 2008 @ 00:57 |
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maybe I wasn't too clear so I'll into details. I was hoping that by exposing it to more air it could allevaite this problem or better yet tell you if the issue is the fan... or the drive motor for your unit. My suggestions were not meant as ridicule, nor in arrogance; and I apologize if they came off as such. With how much I work with computer electronics I usually try to give someone a good reference method so as to not add to the problems at hand. Besides I wasn't talking about going to an expert to get it done, but in case someone had the fan close to home cheaper. You never know what you can find by asking around.
I think you've done just about everything you can currently until you do this replacement. From here the next step would be to get after market fan exhaust that can either push the air through from the front or pull it out from the rear. If this is the main cpu fan and it requires removing the old heat sink, you are going to need thermal grease too. The best type, whether your building your own computer or replacing a video card with an after market, usually has silver oxide in it, and normally goes for around maybe 6 to 15 dollars U.S. You won't need the whole thing, just a little larger than the size of a ball point pen tip. You must wipe the cpu clean of any grease from the old heat sink if it requires going this far. That solution you used on the laser if it has rubbing alcohol will do fine, but for wiping it off don't use tissue paper such as Kleenex, rather use paper towels.
I know I'm going over board, but I want this to turn out successfully for you.
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txcforeve
Newbie
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21. September 2008 @ 10:13 |
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No sorry it's my fault. My reply came up a bit aggressive and I didn't mean that. After all you are just trying to help right? Now as for an aftermarket fan I've ordered one and I'll have it by tomorrow. If it's a decent one, it may fix the problem but it will only be temporarily. As for the thermal paste (or grease as you call it) is it the same as the cpu and gpu one or it's something more specific?
For cleaning the lens I used one of those sticks with cotton on each side (you know the ones you use to clean your ears)and special liquid that they sell on every decent computer store.
The problem in going to an expert is not the cost of the part I want it's the price he's going to ask me for fixing it. I send the 360 for a lens repair and it cost me 115 US dollars. Fixing a PS3 which is a lot more unique in design than the 360 (and has more expensive components than the 360) will probably cost me much much more. The difference is enough to make the waiting of the new parts worth it.
Again sorry if my previous reply sounded too aggressive. English is not my native language (Greek is) so I may have used the wrong expressions.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 21. September 2008 @ 10:14
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jeice28
Junior Member
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21. September 2008 @ 10:59 |
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The thermal grease or paste is the same for anything needing a heat sink. This will only be needed, stressing the if, that current heat sink must come off. If its just a fan than hopefully its a simple matter of grabbing a screwdriver. Whether the fan is a cpu or gpu its usually held on with Philip head, plus sign' type screws, as far as what's on the heat sink block, and this may be all that needs to be done.
If wanting to be safe than sorry and it also come with the heat sink block and already has thermal stuff on it, give it go.
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txcforeve
Newbie
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21. September 2008 @ 15:54 |
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Ok thanks for your help. I will inform you of how it went hopefully by the end of the week.
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jeice28
Junior Member
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24. September 2008 @ 00:11 |
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I hope, wait, and pray for your success.
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odabrun
Newbie
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18. October 2008 @ 21:57 |
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I was wondering how successfull your went through that, maybe I am in the same issue here.
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txcforeve
Newbie
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19. October 2008 @ 05:51 |
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I was totally successful. My PS3 works like a charm now. The problem was a mix of both at the end. The heat damaged the lens somehow. So a changed the lens mechanism and the fan of the cpu. Now it works great. The air coming from the back of the console is never hot, just barely warm. The game never freezes no matter how long I play. So I have a new PS3 with minimum cost ($55 for both the fan and the lens mechanism, thanks ebay ;p).
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jeice28
Junior Member
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19. October 2008 @ 19:59 |
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a success story is always a good one.
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