Hello, I'm pretty new to the PS3 and have a couple questions. I've searched around and haven't found anything relevant, so I hope this isn't common knowledge Let me start by saying this is probably a bit long winded but I like to give a history. You can probably just jump to the last paragraph.
I work at a game store that does system repairs. Around the time I started we had a customer bring in a PS3 for YLoD. After three reflows didn't solve the problem we told the guy we couldn't fix it and he could pick it up. After 30 days he never came and we took the system for parts (part of the repair agreement).
Anyways a couple days ago I asked my boss if I could buy the motherboard with the intent of getting it reballed (60gb model that I've been looking for). He agreed and I took the motherboard and called a guy I know who is capable of doing the reballing. However before taking it to him I decided to inspect the motherboard to make sure that there was no physical damage that might explain why the reflows never took.
I found what appeared to be a fuse (TH2501) that had blown out on the motherboard. There was what looked like a black charred spot around it, and when I tested it with a multimeter I found there was no conductivity through it. I also tested all similar components and found that they conducted fine.
I know that the yellow light can be caused by a short pretty much anywhere in the system, but in my searching I have found no evidence of anyone else encountering this problem. It seems that the only fuse that is known to blow is in the power supply and there is some doubt as to whether or not there even are any on the motherboard. I found one mention that someone had said they were told a power supply could blow resistors or other motherboard components, but wasn't able to find anyone who had an actual case of this occurring.
I have added a couple of pictures of the component in question at the bottom, and I was simply wondering whether or not anyone had any information as to what it was or how to replace it. I have talked to several techs in my area and they all seem to agree that it could likely be the problem, however since none of them have seen or encountered any problems with it before, none of them could say for sure. I understand that reballing is still a likely requirement, however I wanted to clear this issue up before I go and blow extra money on the reball.
That isn't a fuse; it is a thermistor. Not sure on the specs, but I know it is the same part# as TH2401...if TH2401 works, then you can probably get the specs for it by working from readings.
After talking with a few more people in the area and at school, it seems like the best solution would just be to take it off another dead PS3. No one I spoke to seems to know of a way to get the specs by testing the other thermistor.
A thermistor is just a resistor...put in in a fridge, take the resistance and the temperature. Then put it in a cool room, do both readings again, then put it in a warm room and repeat the readings again. That will give you enough information to work backwards.
