probably nobody will care, but I’m sad at the passing of my microwave. It was born in July of 1983, and died march 24th, 2026. I had bought it used in 1992 and it faithfully served me and my family for many years until today, when the keypad decided to partially quit working. Rest in peace Zappy, you will be missed.
I’m looking for a new keypad but unsurprisingly the parts for this ancient thing are no longer in stock so I doubt I’ll be able to resurrect it without some sort of miracle. I know it’s just an appliance but it still makes me sad to see it go.
You can often fix membrane switches using conductive paint. Link to example. $11.
The PCB will have a pattern of traces under each button that are interlocked kind of like fingers that don’t touch or two large pads near each other. The button of the membrane has a conductive patch that completes the circuit between those traces when pressed.
Usually the conductive patch is what fails due to wearing off. So you just paint on new patches on the memnrane. If the traces are worn, they can also be repaired with copper foil, solder, and careful work with an exacto knife. I’ve even seen aluminum foil and super glue used as a temporary fix on the membrane.
I would probably make this a an Old Man and the Sea project if it were mine. It’s just so old, it needs to keep going.
I got a several hundred dollar safe for $35 because the keypad didn’t work. The membrane had died and because of that someone cut out the battery pack.
$10 in repair paint and a new AA battery housing and she works perfectly.
Thanks for the advice, I may try that yet I’ve got nothing to lose if I can’t find the parts and I really don’t want to see this thing go lol!