Scooba lights stuck flashing in sequence -

cbalmain · Joined: 14 May 2008 Posts: 2

I've had a weird problem with my Scooba 5800. I charged it up, but whenever I turn it on it gives 5 tones going up, then 5 tones going down, and then all the lights flash in sequence, from left to right. It seems to be stuck in this mode. I've tried removing the battery, but as soon as I put it back in the same thing happens.

I contacted iRobot customer support and they suggested it was stuck in Diagnostic mode. They said there was nothing that could be done and I needed to replace it since it's out of warranty. I've only had it for about 17 months and have used it maybe 20 times. At what I paid for it, that comes to about $10 per use! If these things self-fry after only twenty uses, I don't think I'll be replacing it!

Any ideas for what additional troubleshooting I can perform?

Fraggboy · Posted: May 14, 2008, 10:26 am Post subject:

cbalmain,

My sister had a Scooba stuck in diagnostics mode. iRobot told her the same thing. Get it exchagned. I tried every possible way to get it out of diagnostic mode. Since yours is not under warranty, you can take the scooba apart and see if the clean button is stuck.

cbalmain · Joined: 14 May 2008 Posts: 2

So it costs $300 to replace, and they can't do anything for me? Awesome.

RoombaExchange · Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Posts: 1187 Location: Florida USA

Cbalmain, you can do a search for scooba stuck in test mode and come up with several similar issues involving the Scooba control panel and the button contacts. The contacts or communication tether/cable are what fail, moisture can be a contributing factor.

A few options for you are to disassemble the scooba down to the control panel and either replace it or if you do not feel comfortable with doing the repairs you can ship it in to us to do the repair work for you. Either option will cost less than a replacement and if the repair costs through us exceed our recommended repair budget of $125 then you will have the option to trade it in.
http://www.roombaexchange.com/proddetail.php?prod=903492&cat=40

Buzzboy767 · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 3

cbalmain wrote: I've had a weird problem with my Scooba 5800. I charged it up, but whenever I turn it on it gives 5 tones going up, then 5 tones going down, and then all the lights flash in sequence, from left to right. It seems to be stuck in this mode. I've tried removing the battery, but as soon as I put it back in the same thing happens.

My Scooba, which is a replacement for a replacement, died the same way today, 7 months after I paid $200.00 to replace it out of warrantee. In the last five years, I’ve also been through 4 Roombas. Irobot should be ashamed of themselves, their products just aren’t up to the task.

tum · Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 41

RoombaExchange wrote: Cbalmain, you can do a search for scooba stuck in test mode and come up with several similar issues involving the Scooba control panel and the button contacts. The contacts or communication tether/cable are what fail, moisture can be a contributing factor.

A few options for you are to disassemble the scooba down to the control panel and either replace it or if you do not feel comfortable with doing the repairs you can ship it in to us to do the repair work for you. Either option will cost less than a replacement and if the repair costs through us exceed our recommended repair budget of $125 then you will have the option to trade it in.
http://www.roombaexchange.com/proddetail.php?prod=903492&cat=40

I'm having the same problem after only a month :-(

Which tether cable are you refering to in your explanation? Do you mean the ribbon attaching the control panel to the motherboard or the one connecting the buttons to the conrol panel PCB?

Thanks.

tum · Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 41

I fixed the problem. The clean button was stuck on because of water damage to the button contacts. I had to disassemble the control panel and carefully seperate the mylar sheets that make up the contact using a box cutter. After that I used isopropyl alcohol to clean the contacts and then used a conductive pen to redraw the contacts that were damaged.

All fixed and working again :D

RoombaHolic · Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 90 Location: Mountain Center, CA

tum wrote: . . . I used isopropyl alcohol to clean the contacts and then used a conductive pen to redraw the contacts that were damaged.
Great save . . . and just where does one get a "conductive pen"??? :)

tum · Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 41

RoombaHolic wrote: tum wrote: . . . I used isopropyl alcohol to clean the contacts and then used a conductive pen to redraw the contacts that were damaged.
Great save . . . and just where does one get a "conductive pen"??? :)

You should be able to find one at any electronics components store. It was a farily cheap fix for me because I already had a pen from years back. The pens can be quite expensive (around $20-$30 NZD). It works really well though and creates quite a durable and reasonably fexible conductor. I've taken some pics of the fix and will post them soon.