Humminbird 597 buttons not working

My 4 year old 597 has suddenly developed a problem with the buttons not working. So far, MENU, EXIT, and VIEW are not working. + and - seem to change the views. GOTO will open the pulldown box but then the arrow keys don't work. I've power cycled it several times. I would reset defaults but I can't because the MENU button doesn't do anything. Does anyone know if there's a secret trick or combination of buttons that will reset this box? I know I could send it to Humminbird but they'll want $300.00 or so to fix it and a new equivalent would be less than $500.00.

All of the screens are actually working when you can get to them but it's hit and miss. It does lock up when the "wrong" button is pushed.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

MC

There is no reset that will fix your problem. I fixed mine so it can be done. How much if any experience do you have working on something small like that or other electronics?

I'm usually able to follow directions and get into most anything. I'll probably try to call Humminbird first but the last time I did that they just said to send it in with my payment. I'd be glad to hear your suggestion. Even if I completely toast it I'm not out anything. I just messed with it some more in the driveway without taking anything apart and it's only getting worse.

Thanks,

MC

#1 you have to have a couple of small, good quality torx head screw drivers. Your going to remove the back cover. ( on the screws that hold that cover, they are very tight and cheap torx will strip out. On each screw there is a tiny washer and O ring seal. As you remove screw make sure not to loose the seal. Some will stay on screw, some just come loose and some stay stuck in screw hole) once all the screws are out gently pry cover loose ( there is a double sided rubber seal between both half's with a groove in each side so care full not to cut or pinch if prying apart) do not just pull apart, lift gently and you have 2 sets of wires to plugs that plug into back. Those white plugs are snug but have no clip holding them, take a small screw driver I used pocket screwdriver and gently force each plug loose, that will give you a little more room to work. Next you have a Ribbon cable that is just a push in. Gently pinch the middle at back of cover and work it back and forth until it slides out. You have to be really careful not to tear this. Once it is out you can lay cover to side and gently remove rubber gasket careful not to stretch and notice it has 2 molded in bumps that correspond with notches in housing and back cover.
Once you get to this point you will see a large circuit board. It has a slot where the ribbon cable you disconnected runs through. You will also see a small ribbon cable attached in a holder on circuit board. This clip has a couple of tiny retainer clips you will have to release to remove this cable and you have to be very gentle with these because they are easy to break. Remove this cable. Then serch around and you will find 3 maybe 4 tiny torx screws, remove these, then you will find 2 small Philips head screws side by side, remove these and mark where you remove each screw with nail polish or white out. I found it hard to find them when I started back. Gently lift the circuit board and feed that ribbon cable through the slot in board. Once it is off you will see a small circuit board right behind your key pad, gently remove this board I think it was just clipped in. Once that board is off you will see your key pad. It is just one solid piece of silicone rubber formed into the keys. Notice you have a black spot on your side of each key, that is carbon impregnated into silicone to form your key. On the side of small circuit board that button touches a spot making the contact that operates your key strokes. I used cotton Q tips dipped in finger nail polis remover to gently clean each spot on the key's and the face of the circuit board. You can just pull the key pad out of the face. When reinstalling key pad make sure each button is completely through and seated in the face. Then just reassemble in reverse order being really careful working with the 2 ribbon cables.

What happens is dirt migrates over time around those buttons and gets on hat circuit board plus I think some of the carbon wears off and contaminates the board leaving you with buttons that don't work. I have fixed t/v remotes the same way. If you run into trouble let me know and I'll PM my phone number and help you through it.

By the way, I spread a large white towel out to work on. Protects face of unit and if by chance you drop something makes it easy to find.

There are times that one of the rubber buttons gets stuck under the edge of the button hole in the plastic bezel ...

Rickie