GameBoy Advance SP not working after immersion in water

[David Waters]

My son's GameBoy Advance SP received a quick dunking in swimming pool
water after he forgot he'd placed it in his trunks pocket!

We let it dry out fully but the charging light only comes on for about
a second after connecting the power charger and switching on the
supply.

I've tried swapping the battery with one from a friend's but it
behaves the same.

I expect that I'll need to buy a complete replacement but if anyone
has had a similar problem and got the unit working again I'd been
grateful for details.

I don't have a tool to undo the Y head screws that secure the casing.
Does anyone know where I can get these in the UK?

 

[Andy C]

My son's GameBoy Advance SP received a quick dunking in swimming pool
water after he forgot he'd placed it in his trunks pocket!

We let it dry out fully but the charging light only comes on for about
a second after connecting the power charger and switching on the
supply.

I've tried swapping the battery with one from a friend's but it
behaves the same.

I expect that I'll need to buy a complete replacement but if anyone
has had a similar problem and got the unit working again I'd been
grateful for details.

I don't have a tool to undo the Y head screws that secure the casing.
Does anyone know where I can get these in the UK?

Ooops!! Gameboys can be unscrewed with a standard flat-head screwdriver, but
you'll need to find one that is just the right size to fit in two of the
three slots on the screw. If you haven't already done so remove the battery.
In a lot of instances a quick removal of the power source will save water
dunked electronics. Next, if you can get it open, wash it out thoroughly
with cold water - swimming pools have acidic chemicals in them. Leave it to
dry, re-assemble, then if you're lucky it may just work. I saved a mobile
phone from the bottom of a pool two weeks ago using the same technique. If
you need a good UK based Internet supplier then give me a shout and I'll
point you in the right direction.

Good luck

Andy C

 

[bobinphx]

I saved a barbi watch that my 7 year old forgot to take off. I am thinking
that the tears that fell on it may have saved it ..... I took it apart
immediately, used a hair dryer on low and then let it air dry for about an
hour.

bob in phx