Spilled soda on power switch and reset button

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Michael Ducharme

Reputable
Apr 26, 2014
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4,510
I spilled soda on my desk and a bit dripped down on the front of my case where the power switch and reset button and USB ports are. I cleaned up the small amount on the case immediately. It wasn’t very much. In the middle of the night I woke up because the computer was randomly turning itself off and on. I had to unplug the power switch and reset button cables so that it would stay on. The USB ports appear to still work fine.

My questions:

1. Should I disconnect the front USB from the motherboard as well just in case?

2. How might I fix the power switch and reset button? Would an isopropanol bath do the trick?

Thanks
 
Solution
velocityg4
If the front USB and power switches are all in the same area or on the same board. I would remove them and let them soak in 90% or higher isopropyl alcohol. For a few hours or overnight. Scrub them thoroughly with a toothbrush. To get at every nook and cranny you can. Then flush them with fresh alcohol. Shake them out. Then hang them in front of a fan for three or four days. It'll probably dry out much faster as it is alcohol. Better to be safe and follow the standard timeline for liquid spill.

Wear rubber gloves while handling the alcohol soaked parts. Use in a ventilated place. Keep away from sources of flame.

If the switches are bad. You can get momentary switches pretty cheap on Amazon.

More detailed procedure. But they don't...
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velocityg4

velocityg4

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Nov 21, 2006
5,390
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If the front USB and power switches are all in the same area or on the same board. I would remove them and let them soak in 90% or higher isopropyl alcohol. For a few hours or overnight. Scrub them thoroughly with a toothbrush. To get at every nook and cranny you can. Then flush them with fresh alcohol. Shake them out. Then hang them in front of a fan for three or four days. It'll probably dry out much faster as it is alcohol. Better to be safe and follow the standard timeline for liquid spill.

Wear rubber gloves while handling the alcohol soaked parts. Use in a ventilated place. Keep away from sources of flame.

If the switches are bad. You can get momentary switches pretty cheap on Amazon.

More detailed procedure. But they don't mention time frames.
https://www.ifixit.com/Wiki/Electronics_Water_Damage
 
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Solution
Sean_34

Sean_34

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Feb 5, 2016
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4,640
What kind of case do you have? You may be able to separate that front I/O panel from the case, disassemble it, get a bottle of isopropyl alcohol, some cotton swaps, lintless cloth and detail clean it.
 
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velocityg4

velocityg4

Glorious
Nov 21, 2006
5,390
471
46,440


I would definitely soak them. You want to get rid of any internal residue from the soda. The acids can eat away at the contacts over time.. You can also use distilled or de-ionized water. The alcohol dries faster. From your previous description. The soda got inside the switches. My timeline is overkill. I prefer to be safe rather than sorry.
 
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M

Michael Ducharme

Reputable
Apr 26, 2014
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0
4,510
I’ll leave the power and reset disconnected for now. Unfortunately I cannot begin remediation right away because I have a flight to catch in a few hours and will be away for a week (bad timing) and will be remote connecting to the computer in the interim.
 
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