ETrac headphone plug repair-sponsors?

[Hound46]

I’m having troubles again with my eTrac headphone plug. I took it out of the handle and see how it mechanically works. It worked for a short time when I had it out and apart. Now it works with the plug out-switch makes contact and sound is directed to the external speaker. Mechanically, with the plug in, contact is broken, the external speaker signal is cut but nothing comes out of the headphones. This can’t be a complex fix. Maybe a broken wire? Does anyone repair these things anymore? Maybe a site sponsor? I’m afraid though probably a simple fix, it may beyond my capabilities.

I don’t have or know how to use a circuit tester. Next step would be to rewire the plug and splice into existing wires. My little voice says, to find a professional.

 

[cellrdwellr]

That's does sound like a pretty minor issue, and I agree it would probably be best to let a professional look at it. That said, I don't know of anyone currently repairing etracs... hopefully someone here does know of someone who may be able to help.

 

[randy]

Probably doesn't address your exact problem, but mine stops working as well. When this happens, I just put a wet Q-Tip in and clean it out, and then in works. Whether it is cleaning the dirt out, or pushing something around, I don't know, but it is a really quick thing to try for people having this problem.

I'll also note that it never works with the OEM Koss phones anymore, but works with the Minelab phones that come with the Nox 800. I bought a high end, screw on adapter to get the Nox phones to plug to the E-Trac, and that seemed to really help.

 

[hoser]

Had to same thing happen a couple years ago on mine as well. The Q-Tip trick worked for me. Good luck.

 

[Ken Clad]

Here's the most basic picture I can find of how a headphone jack works. Disregard the "microphone" part, (even though it is exactly the same) and wire color(s). Inside, just behind the threaded mounting collar, that area is subjected to mechanical stress from insertion and removal of the plug. There may be hidden stress cracks, corrosion, or just total failure. Obviously, since you've already had it apart, you know if the contacts themselves are free of corrosion and debris and are free to move as the plug is inserted.

If you're sure the problem is with the jack (the part installed on the detector) and not the plug (the end of the headphones) the jack needs to be replaced. Do the headphones operate normally with another device? Since you "don’t have or know how to use a circuit tester", did you plug the headphones in and try it while it was all apart. Sometimes a gentle jiggle of each wire will tell you where the problem lies.

Maybe plead insanity with the local computer repair place or the home theater store... they can at least test and solder basic electronic items.