Intermittent RCA audio connector
May 8, 2010 3:17 PM Subscribe
RCA audio connector - I'm getting intermittent sound from my left desktop computer speaker that is connected via an RCA connector to the main (right) one. What can I do?
This seems to be a fairly standard setup - one speaker plugs into the sound card and the other plugs into it via an RCA connector. If I jiggle the main speaker even a little, I lose sound in the other, and if I re-jiggle it, I get it back. But it will go out and come on unpredictably.
Can I clean it, or bend it, or whatever, to get a constant connection?
This seems to be a fairly standard setup - one speaker plugs into the sound card and the other plugs into it via an RCA connector. If I jiggle the main speaker even a little, I lose sound in the other, and if I re-jiggle it, I get it back. But it will go out and come on unpredictably.
Can I clean it, or bend it, or whatever, to get a constant connection?
RCA plugs themselves (or their connections to circuit boards) don't generally tend to fail, but the cables can easily fracture where they enter the back of the plug, same as earphone cables fail. I'd suspect the cable well before anything (solid!) that it plugs into.
Same repair: cut the plug off and solder a new one on, they cost about $0.50-$3 depending on how fancy you want. Assumes you can solder or have access to a tame nerd who can do it for you.
posted by polyglot at 4:25 AM on May 9, 2010
Same repair: cut the plug off and solder a new one on, they cost about $0.50-$3 depending on how fancy you want. Assumes you can solder or have access to a tame nerd who can do it for you.
posted by polyglot at 4:25 AM on May 9, 2010
Two things that have helped me in the past with RCA connectors:
1) If the connection feels loose on the outside, pinch the outer shield of the cord plug inwards ever so slightly with pliers (as in, 1 millimeter) on all four sides.
2) If the metal on the jack looks dull and grey there could be too much oxidation to make a good connection. Use emery paper or really fine sandpaper to remove some of the tarnish, and make sure to brush away any residue.
posted by Hardcore Poser at 7:47 AM on May 9, 2010
1) If the connection feels loose on the outside, pinch the outer shield of the cord plug inwards ever so slightly with pliers (as in, 1 millimeter) on all four sides.
2) If the metal on the jack looks dull and grey there could be too much oxidation to make a good connection. Use emery paper or really fine sandpaper to remove some of the tarnish, and make sure to brush away any residue.
posted by Hardcore Poser at 7:47 AM on May 9, 2010
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The usual disclaimers to unplug before disassembling, don't lick the soldering iron, etc, all apply.
posted by jjb at 4:36 PM on May 8, 2010