Kurzweil PC88 Contact Cleaning

This is a tutorial on how to clean the key contacts for a Kurzweil PC88 Keyboard. This keyboard and many others like it use a rubber contact strip that is susceptible to dust. The tutorial shows you step by step how to clean the contacts and prevent more problems down the road.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Digital
• Keyboards
• Tutorials
• Kurzweil
• PC88
• Key
• Contacts
• Piano

[01murph]

I to have a Kurzweil PC88 and the problem I have with mine is I have 5 keys weights that are broken and they make a hard knocking sound when I play. I was wanting to know how hard is it to replace the weights?

[soundlogic1]

@01murph I remember the problem with the weights, and the clacking noise. The keyboard assembly has springs that can be removed to take the key out. The weights are held in with some kind of industrial adhesive. You can try to re-glue the weight in or just replace the key with a new one. When I had my repair shop I usually just ordered new keys from Kurzweil. If they are still available that is what I would recommend.

[squesadab]

Hi, I have the same keyboard but a different problem. I have no sound (and no midi) for series of keys (C, F, A#) a pattern. The ribbons cable appears to be good and connected. Any advice? Thanks.

[soundlogic1]

@squesada the fact that all the C, F, and A# keys do not sound would indicate a problem with the contact scanning lines. Is this across the entire keyboard or just a few keys?

Check the solder joints on the headers for the ribbons. a broken solder joint could be the problem. Also, it could be a shorted diode in the switch matrix. The clue is to trace the circuit and find what these keys have in common. That will lead to the source of the problem.

[Ellen208]

Thanks for posting this. I am having a problem with a couple of the sound select and parameter select buttons. The transpose button no longer makes contact so I can't access that feature. Also, my number 2 setup button won't engage either so I can't program anything in that site any more. Do you have any suggestions for why this might be, and if so, is it something I can possibly clean myself. (with a spray like DeoxIT). Thanks for any advice. Ellen

[soundlogic1]

@Ellen208 Hey Ellen, I remember this same problem was severe on the Korg M1, O1W, Wavestation. There are little momentary switches that are actuated by the plastic button. The contacts go bad after a while. I have replaced hundreds of them on various keyboards. On the Korg models it was a lot of work to get to them. The main board had to come out etc. Contact cleaner would only temporarily solve the problem.

The switches are very common and can be found at Digikey, Mouser etc.

[paranormaalutrecht]

nice good video.. fatar keyboard in that kurzweil? I have a gem with the same problem ;) so i have to do it every 3 years.

[GoodLookinDudes]

big thank you for posting this video. I have a different model Kurzweil (mark 10) but this really helped. Didn't see any dirt or dust to begin with, but after cleaning my loud-key problem went away and my confidence in self-maintaining my keyboard went up!

[towys007]

i want to apply this metod to my roldan jv80

[davidspensley]

Thank you for taking time to do this on YouTube. I have a K SP88 with the loud key problem and will make an attempt to clean it myself. Cheers!

[01murph]

@soundlogic1 Thanks I'll get in touch with them and get me some. Also I forgot to mention that one of my A sharp keys false triggers at full velocity sometimes when pressed down. Would the broken weight cause this problem?

[Jake5577]

Thank you for this video!! I fixed my Kurzweil PC2x. I had 3 keys out and 1 very loud. I think something dripped on the keyboard. The PC2x can be cleaned in a similar way, except there are more screws to remove the top and the side covers need to be removed completely before the top will come off. The keyboard circuit board and rubber contact strips are similar. I cleaned the contacts on the circuit board and the rubber strips with alcohol and a q-tip. Wood shishkabob stick to put strips back.

[wordbecomeflesh]

@soundlogic1

Hey there, I have a different issue and no repair facility remotely close to me in Hawaii. When I turn our church keyboard on, it is okay for about 1 minute and then I start to hear sound output like an old transistor radio, soft at first and then progressively louder from main output and headphone jacks. Power and output section of the keyboard totally disconnected from rest of keyboard, but same issue. Power adapter changed, but issue persists. Any thoughts?

[ebonerobinson]

Any advice on where to get replacement parts? my pc88 stalls out on the homer test.