3rd Gen Clock Fix Troubleshooting

[MartinC]

So I have a 2000 4Runner SR5 and I've read

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/67508-3rd-gen-dash-clock-fix.html#post573064

Which was very helpful but when I took apart the clock I found something very different. The clock would flicker on and off. Then I would tap on it and it would turn back on and that would keep happening until one day it was completely dead. I was wondering if I should just buy a new clock from someone parting a similar 4Runner or just order online from a website like

Toyota Parts Overstock - Dependable, Proven Quality Toyota Parts Online

Thank you for your help and here are pictures of the clock.

1.) The springs inside are fine Imgur

2.) There is a dark/burnt spot under the glass which might be the problem
Imgur

3+4.) The wholes in the circuit board already have prongs that go into them so i cant see how i could solder new prongs on and the prongs that already go into the circuit board and fixed and cannot be removed.
(2 images) Imgur

 

[Park]

I tried to fix mine once and I f***** it up

 

[cp99sr5]

I fixed mine, but what I ended up doing was to solder the springs in place at the base. Has held up just fine, but then it took me about four tries to get it right. If you have the skill, you could also by pass the pins and springs and direct solder wire to the board. I don't think that burned out spot has anything to do with your problem. A new clock assembly runs $224.00 on that site you linked, that in my mind is nuts!

 

[Koko4]

I had the same thing happen, after I tried to fix it myself. Thought it was the pins (originally), and so I very carefully soldered them to the board, and then slipped the plastic case back over them. It would work for a bit, and then either turn off completely or flicker on/off when I pushed hard enough on the screen.

I took it back apart, thinking it was something with the actual connection into the back of the clock, since I was able to get the flicker.

I was at a friend's house that has worked on small electronics for the majority of his career (he is retired now), and he had an entire professional soldering kit. He took a close look at the board and said that one of the soldering points looked like it had a HAIRLINE "crack" in it. I believe (but am not sure) that it was on one of the capacitors (if that's what those cylinder-like pieces are - it's been awhile since I had it apart and was looking at it). Anyway, he put a dab of solder on it, and it's worked perfectly ever since.

My point: pay less attention to the pins and the springs, and take a closer look at the solders on the components on the board itself. It'll save you a LOT of frustration in the long run!

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

89 95 Toyota 4Runner Pickup Truck Factory Digital Clock | eBay

I had some luck with using a older model clock out of a Toyota pickup or 4runner 89-95 and its lasted longer than my original 99.

 

[davidch]

On eBay there's a firm in Moscow, ID that claims to fix Gen3 4Runner clocks for $16. (search 4runner clock). They further claim to have done this 129 times. It's an exchange service.

At that price, and given that they've done it many times, it seems to me pointless to fuss around with it yourself.

I have not - yet - made use of this company's service.

 

[MartinC]

Thanks a lot brother I'll take a look at it again but if that doesnt work, i installed a double din pioneer deck which has a clock so it doesnt really matter. I just wanted to fix the clock. Thanks again