TomTom Repairs

[davemercedes]

Hello!

Just wondering if anyone has experience of DIY repairs of a TomTom?

I have a Go 6100 that needs a replacement battery. I've looked at YouTube and it seems relatively straight forward to break the unit open and then remove and replace it but it does involve keeping tiny screws safe etc. I suppose I can prepare for that by using a steel bowl with a magnet etc but that part does look a bit finicky.

Any info would be appreciated!

Regards
Dave

 

[LostKiwi]

I changed the screen on ours - wasn't particularly difficulty.

 

[davemercedes]

Hello!

Just wondering if anyone has experience of DIY repairs of a TomTom?

I have a Go 6100 that needs a replacement battery. I've looked at YouTube and it seems relatively straight forward to break the unit open and then remove and replace it but it does involve keeping tiny screws safe etc. I suppose I can prepare for that by using a steel bowl with a magnet etc but that part does look a bit finicky.

Any info would be appreciated!

Regards
Dave

 

[davemercedes]

Thanks, I'll probably give it a go - the repairers are getting very greedy these days.

 

[Blobcat]

If you have any parcel tape wrap some of that the wrong way around a box so the sticky side is on the outside. Then place the screws on the sticky tape in the order you removed them.

 

[davemercedes]

Hmm Good planning - thank you Blobcat

 

[mioba]

I think you would get more help on a navi forum if one exists. have you asked google.

 

[LostKiwi]

YouTube usually has videos.

 

[Blobcat]

YouTube usually has videos.

I think that’s what the site specialises in...

 

[davidsl500]

If you have a webcam then video yourself taking it apart so you have your own record of the order

 

[LostKiwi]

 

[davidsl500]

Nothing scary there - apart from the ribbon cable locking tabs. I've seen a few disasters with people being heavy handed releasing them.

Any computer shop or phone repair geezer could do that but I suppose they want their pound of flesh...

 

[Chrishazle]

I've changed the battery in my Go6000, biggest problem was splitting the case. I used plastic trim removal tools that I happen to have rather than metal tools, and it took a while and patience before finally getting the case to come apart. Once I'd done that, the rest, following the Youtube video, was easy, as was putting it back together - and it still works, just used it tonight to and from our PCGB monthly meet!

 

[sonic]

I changed a battery on a 520 very straightforward.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[davidsl500]

I found that guitar plectrums worked very well at holding/wedging tight plastic cases apart when working my way around them..

 

[davemercedes]

Thanks for that - I bought a battery for my iPhone last year but never used it (gave it away) but it came with a kit including a couple of plastic tools rather line giant plectrums so I hope they'll be okay for the job.

- atm:
I'm watching my timing to avoid problems i.e.: so I can get it done and dusted through to live-run testing when we have no journeys planned!

 

[davemercedes]

Well, with the aid of a Youtube "How to" video on start/stop and following Blobcat's excellent note about reversed sticky tape I bit the bullet. I also used an old strong magnet under a s/steel dish to catch any of the tiny screws which fall out very easily. That saved aggro a couple of times.

My plastic "plectrum" bits failed miserably and I resorted to using a watch repair tool (it's a bit like an un-sharpened penknife). That worked but I did bu99er the plastic edge along the top for an inch or so but it's cosmetic - no functional effect. Most of the damage disappeared as I went through a "shaving" motion along the edges before re-assembly.

Overall I'm quite pleased because the EBay battery cost £9.75 delivered and I thought it was probably dying and I didn't fancy forking out for another device (£289 on Amazon). I don't know how much longer Tomtom will consider remains of the "lifetime" support (I bought it in 2016 and all updates since then have been included) but if it lasts just another year it will be worthwhile!

There are all sorts of warnings about buying stuff like batteries off the Bay so for what it's worth, the numbers and markings on the replacement were exactly the same as the one in the device so I felt reasonably confident. I charged it overnight after fitting and I'm pleased with the results.

Thanks for all your advice!

 

[Blobcat]

Excellent result, if it's glued together you can soften the glue with a hairdryer first - works on iProducts

 

[umblecumbuz]

That gives me confidence - I've deleted old maps from three well-used Tomtoms, and now have to reload - but using their app the process just hangs part way through.
I had given up, but with a new laptop now I'm going to have an other go.

 

[davemercedes]

That gives me confidence - I've deleted old maps from three well-used Tomtoms, and now have to reload - but using their app the process just hangs part way through.
I had given up, but with a new laptop now I'm going to have an other go.

Yeah - absolutely, go for it Umble - if you have the time available that's basically all it's going to cost you. I've been out this afternoon to test my Camera warnings (an unrelated issue that was, as expected down to settings) and I'm being careful not to bang my head on the way in/out now!