‘G’ key not responding on my Apple IIe

[ColecoGamer]

My beautiful IIe works perfectly, minus the ‘G’ key on the keyboard.

 

I am reaching out to the Apple user community to find out what methods are available to fix this problem. 
 

All the other keys work, so I’m not sure if its a dirty contact or not?

 

Any advice given on this matter will be greatly appreciated!

[ColecoGamer]

I’m not familiar with the internals of an Apple IIe keyboard. Are the keys micro switches? Do I need to replace the entire keyboard over one letter not working? This is the advice I hope someone is willing to kindly give. ??

[DistantStar001]

Try removing the cap, and spraying some contact cleaner into the switch.  Work the switch for 15 to 20 minutes, then power on to see if there is any improvement.  If that doesn't work, you can desolder and dismantle the switch.  Clean the contacts and test with a multimeter to see if it works.  If so, reassemble and solder it back in.  Worst case, you will have to replace the switch.  But if the rest of the board is working, then your problem is likely limited to the switch. 

 

Note: If the key starts repeating after you spray it, with or without you pressing it, that just means that there's some liquid trapped inside the switch.  Just turn off computer and keep working the switch.  The repeat will stop when the liquid evaporates.

Edited March 14, 2022 by DistantStar001
Additional information.

[Keatah]

//e or //e Platinum?

[ColecoGamer]

2 minutes ago, Keatah said:

//e or //e Platinum?

Standard IIe.

[Keatah]

The Platinum //e is prone to solder joint issues on the G and H keys, that's why I asked. Physical support is weak in that area. Maximum bend!

 

Perhaps you want to check that out. In addition to switch cleaning and reseating the ribbon cable and reseating the keyboard encoder chip on the mainboard.

 

Test the switch operation with a multimeter. And trace the continuity back to the cable too.

Edited March 15, 2022 by Keatah

[ColecoGamer]

12 hours ago, Keatah said:

The Platinum //e is prone to solder joint issues on the G and H keys, that's why I asked. Physical support is weak in that area. Maximum bend!

 

Perhaps you want to check that out. In addition to switch cleaning and reseating the ribbon cable and reseating the keyboard encoder chip on the mainboard.

 

Test the switch operation with a multimeter. And trace the continuity back to the cable too.

Thank you for the info, too, @Keatah. I need to get my hands on a new multimeter; I’ll just buy one online.

[ColecoGamer]

Yes! The Electronic Contact cleaner I purchased from the local hardware store today, fixed the non-functioning key without an issue.

 

Now my beast of a Apple IIe computer is 100% functional!!

[ColecoGamer]

Thank you to those who responded!