Why KOSO fo MIO fail?

Koso for mio sporty is one of the best digital speedometer available in the market. It has a lot of functionality such as oil temperature meter, a clock, a battery voltage indicator which is highly accurate, a bar graph tachometer, a big speed reading display with multi selectable backlight color, an air fuel mixture meter if the motorcycle has an oxygen sensor installed on the exhaust system and a calibration menu that will ensure you get the correct speed reading when tire changes in diameter. 

Unfortunately , there is no such thing as indestructible and KOSO for mio is subjective to one. It also do fail with user negligence.

I been repairing this kind of speedometer for decades now, and everytime I encounter a problem that even with my superior knowledge on fixing it. If the microcintroller side was highly compromised by external problem such as overvoltage scenario and unit owners dows not have any clue of what was going on inside. Most probably unit will end up unrepairable. 

On this article, I will show you what actually happened on a unit that I shall call.. JUNK UNITS 

Item was sent for repair from neighboring province. At first he sent a video dated February, with the unit showing strobing display. With that scenario. The unit was already needing repairs and components must be replaced not to add insult to injury on the unit. Unfortunately , I do not know what hapoened there after if the still tried putting a power supply on the unit might them thinking there was something loose or yet thinking it will just fix itself. These are typical mindset of users only. 

Upon troubleshooting the unit. I already have a clue that the unit was in deep trouble. After replacing most of the components failing commonly on this kind of unit. I still getting a shorted supply rail which is not a good sign.

And in order to go on deeper and exactly confirmed what was on my mind that the Microcontroller was already compromised and damaged heavily, therenis a need to dismantle the whole LCD which is not an easy task to do without proper tools and skills on using a desoldering tools. Yes many knew how to solder, but not desoldering 2 sided pcb.

Upon removing the lcd from the board, that isthe only time we can see the microcontroller, the heart and soul of the KOSO FOR MIO speedometer. Visual inspection show a tiny hole. Not good.

Getting on the datasheet of the component and testing the supply pin with multi meter. Damn. The feeling of determination to fix this thing turned into sadness. There is no way to fix it. 

An almost $100 dollar unit wasted just like that.

A word of advice to all who owns a KOSO for Mio sporty speedometer. If it has already a problem or abnormality. Remove the black connector immediately and never attempt trying to power it again. Doing so may end of just like this one. Do not waste your item. It is not cheap.

About MCircuits