Time Factor glitchy

[Legnano]

Hi everyone, I just inherited a Time Factor yesterday and it sounds amazing, but . . .  it has this intermittent problem where random numbers and letters start flashing across the LCD and the preset I’m using changes to another unidentified setting with different parameters, but unstable so that the sound keeps changing.

Then a minute later it sounds fine.  When it starts glitching if I put it into bypass then comeback to the preset it is better for a moment then starts the craziness again.

Any ideas?  thanks

[nickrose]

Sounds like a bad internal connection. If it is under warranty you should send it in.

If it is not and you are handy, you could open it up and wiggle internal connections, otherwise support@eventide.com

 

[Legnano]

Thanks for the prompt reply.  I presume the pedal is out of warranty since it is at least 10 years old.  Is there a particular part of the pedal’s guts that would be a likely place to look for a loose connection?

[nickrose]

Most likely candidate is the ribbon cable between the top and bottom boards.

[Legnano]

Thanks!  I opened it up and found the ribbon cable which seemed to be pretty securely connected, so I just pressed down on it to make sure.  The other side of the cable goes beneath a foil film.  I was nervous about removing that film and then possibly having trouble affixing back – is there anything I should know about that?  Thanks again,

 

[nickrose]

Sorry. I think at this point you have to make a choice between doing it yourself or sending it in.

If I had it in front of me, I could tell you what was wrong with it. But, that is why you would send it in.

It’s ten years old – consider making a small investment in it. Or not.

 

[PH68]

Same happened to my TimeFactor.

My solution:
Unscrew the base and you’ll see some screws holding a circuit board in place.
Remove them and carefully lift out the PCB (the whole back panel will also come with it as well).
Beware… do not try and lift it all the way out as there is a ribbon cable connecting it to another the circuit board below (that board you will see is covered in silver foil).

Disconnect the ribbon cable, it just wiggles out.
Be careful as there is not much leeway.

Once fully disconnected give the ribbon cable connectors a good blast of air to clear any dust/bits.
Now carefully, but firmly, reconnect the ribbon cable
Screw the PCB and base back in place.

Problem solved.

Should you need to replace the ribbon cable, then unscrew and remove the bottom (foil covered) circuit board off as well.
This could be more time consuming as it looks like you have to unscrew all the of the 11 knobs as well.

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