Aoyue membrane keyboard failure

[dorkshoei]

I have an Aoyue 701A++

https://www.sra-solder.com/aoyue-701a-all-digital-dual-function-soldering-and-desoldering-station-4239

The membrane for the soldering iron on/off had cracked and the button had also stopped working.

If you remove the case,  the display pcb is secured by 4 screws.  The heads of the screws are under the front membrane and there was thread lock on the upper two.

I used a pair of needle nose pliars to grab tightly the rubber stand off under the pcb (around the bolt thread) so I could break the nut off.  Then used a tap/die to remove the thread lock.

I was able to unjam the button.  I glued a thin piece of plastic to the underside of the cracked membrane.   

Correct button operation is dependent on how tightly you retighten the nuts,  so test all buttons before putting cover back on.

[t1d]

I just wanted to say, on behalf of the DIY community, thank you for posting your solution. Your extra effort to post your experience is what makes the DIY community work. Much appreciated.

[highpower]

For what it is worth, I have an Aoyue 852A ++ rework station that had a problem with it when I bought it. The front label was installed slightly off center which caused the on/off button to rub on the side of the hole that is punched in the label for the switch button to pass through. That in turn caused the switch button to get stuck when it was pushed in and it wouldn't pop back out. I called SRA and asked if they could send me a new label for it, and they did.  It was simple enough to heat up the label a bit and peel it off and then stick the new one on - but centered this time.
Maybe they can do the same for you?