How easy is it to repair a PS3 Blu Ray drive?

noiseredux

I'm thinking about hunting down a "broken" launch model PS3 for cheap if it's easy enough to repair the Blu Ray drive on them. First off, is it a pretty straight-forward pop the old one out, pop the new one in procedure? Is it easy and cheap enough to find a new Blu Ray drive for the old models?

arch_8ngel

How cheap are you talking about? At this point, I would expect you to be able to find a used, functional system for cheap enough to make a broken one not worth fixing.

wonderboy

I have a broken 60 gig backwards compatible system. I have researched the lasers and you can get a cheap one from Hong Kong or Taiwan somewhere for $60....suppose to work for afix, but not a forever fix. I guess you can send them back to Sony and they can repair them for $140? Rumor mill on that one. There is a local shop that replaces the laser for $100?
so how much would it be worth for a broken system to buy and replace. You might have to sink at least $100 into just the laser to get a quality plaser

RetroGems

The laser is easy to replace I get mine from gamepartswarehouse on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/PS3-Laser-Lens-KES-400A-KES-400AAA-KEM-400AAA-TESTED-/300547379043?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45fa050f63

wonderboy

thanks for the link...! does this fix the system if the problem is the disc not spinning?

RetroGems

If the laser is not reading games it won't spin.So yeah a new laser should

fix it.

wonderboy

cool cool..I just ordered one, so here is to hoping it goes in without a hitch!

noiseredux

you guys are talking about just replacing the laser, not the whole BR Drive then?

icust298

I don't believe you can replace the entire drive, as it's paired to the motherboard.

RetroGems

You can swap the whole drive,you just have to change the board on the new

drive with the old one.

uiengineer

it is super easy. i've done well over 75 PS3 repairs. PM me if you have any questions. i know a good parts supplier that also provides a warranty on their parts. I can also walk you through the repair.



also, as for the BD Drive swap, RetroGems is correct..you have to leave the original "mini" motherboard (connected to the BD drive) in the original PS3 b/c it is paired to the system MoBo.

ozzman

Yea the repair is easy to do. The only thing is you have to make sure that you the correct laser. They make 3 to 4 different for these. When we have them come into the shop we charge 100 to replace it.

Benihana

I was going to chime in since I too used to fix them at PnT. But everybody has already hit the important parts...correct laser, baby board paired to mother board. Only other thing I could add is be careful taking the lid of the drive off. I have had a couple fight me going back together correctly...a lot of spring loaded arms that accept and eject the disc that like to "relocate" themselves when you take the cover off...

noiseredux

this all is starting to sound a bit scary. Haha. Maybe I'll just hold out to find a WORKING backwards compatible unit instead

ndcapo

I figured that I would post here rather then create a new thread. I will try to explain this as best as I can. My sister sent her 40gb unit to me. It would not allow you to insert a disc. The blue led would flash and the unit would make a 'machine gun' noise. I took the unit apart and the laser was not centered where it needed to be. I was able to get the unit to accept a disc. It will play music cds just fine but it stops spinning on games and dvd discs. I assume this is a laser issue..



I understand there are two possible laser replacement parts for the 40gb unit? Correct me if I am wrong please. I would also like to know how hard it is to replace the laser. Any help would be great!

punkr13

I actually bought a 60gb backwards ps3 for 40bucks.

and a 80gb for 50..but not backwards compatible.



Both ps3's have that blu-ray problem that accept the disc but does not do anything else.



I use the 60gb to play DC universe online and the other one I gave to a buddy of mine (he wanted one to fix...or try to)



I'd love to fix the 60gb ps3 I have but I wouldn't know how to take it apart/fix the problem.

100 bucks to fix this problem seems like a lot too and not a big of a priority to do...



Good luck getting a system a making it work man

let us know if you manage to do so

BouncekDeLemos

Originally posted by: RetroGems



You can swap the whole drive,you just have to change the board on the new

drive with the old one.

^This cuz if you use a new board on it, it won't be coded to the main console and will not work. You either have to change the laser or change the drive but keep the old board. Same with XBOX 360s.

ndcapo

A little update...



I can play Bluray and DVD.  It will start to load Bluray games and show the title on the playstation gui. It begins loading the game then stops spinning. The unit then freezes..should I try a system update? It is at 3.75 I think.

nieds16

Hello. I have a listing on craigslist for a PS3 that is not functional. There is no YLOD. The parts are functional according to the owner. The only problem is the disc will not insert or exit the drive so it's a gear problem I'm guessing? How easy would this be to fix or replace? It is just a series of gears or does the whole drive have to be replaced etc.? This purchase is planned to take place friday so please PM me before I go through with it.



Update: I contacted the guy who owns the unit. He said he is sure it is the blue ray drive. His son tripped on the cord and sent the unit tumbling. His game got stuck in there and he went in and took the game out and broke this small plastic piece in there. Would this be correct?

Cabanon

updating doesnt do anything. you need to repair or have someone do it. 3 years ago i would have said send it to Sony, but it would have to happen to me again today, i dont know. mine stopped working after a power surge, so i called Sony and them fixed it within 5 days (that include back and forth shipping). it also came with a 90 days warranty.



you just need the good deck and it should be an easy swap.

ndcapo

Yes I am going to try to repair it. After a crap load of youtube vids and trying everything, I will order the part I need and just replace it. Doesn't look like it will be too difficult..just slow and steady.