[janeylod]

Hi guys,
I had the same problem, and found the solution and I am happy now, playing games again. YLOD problem was making me mad.

[NOkk3r1]

Since we see quite often people here in forums asking for help regarding YLOD, I wanted share my alternative method for repairing YLOD since I consider it to be easier and it doesn't require complete dissassembly. This method has also worked for GLOD(green light of death - all lights seem normal but no video/audio output and controllers won't sync). I have sent email to gilksy some time ago to get my method to his guide, but since he hasn't replied I decided to post my method here. I actually discovered this first time some time before gilksy published his guide but since hadn't much experience using this I didn't post this.

Since problem is very similar to xbox's RROD the fix fundamental is similar: add pressure to GPU and CPU. I tried various things(shim etc.) before I figured out what would be the best solution for adding pressure.

I come across following solution:

You need just 4 big washers(diameter 40mm, hole 8mm and 1mm thick. You can find these every hardware store for less than 1euro.) to do this.

So you have to remove upper cover, blu-ray drive and PSU. It's fairly easy and you can find tutorials for it from this site or youtube and I don't cover it here.


What you have to do is to put washers on the screws which holds the cooler blocks in place.(arrows in the photo)

Just screw screws as tight you can get them with reasonable force. I recommend using turn by turn technic so that both screws gets about same amount pressure whole time. You can't screw them too tight because of type of the screws.

You have to cut out small piece of one washer(which goes to screw on lower right in photo) due metal clip used for attaching PSU and memory card reader. Dremel or something similar is good for cutting.

edit: I added a photoshopped photo for clarification.

Because of washers thickness it adds some pressure and because washers size it produces pressure from larger area.

Adding these washers have been enough for all PS3s I have come across. I'm sorry because I don't have any photos of washers assembled since I don't have any unit under repair right now and I have lost my old photos regarding my repair method...

Please post your experiences here about the fix.

[Pirate]

Front paged, nice find

[chitalov]

Great idea, how long ps3 operate this way

[grimlord]

Basically, this method fixes the PS3 that has YLOD? Which means I could fix it with my fingers, pressing that area? lol Yeah, a stupid question, but as I am not fully sure why does it break, I'm just asking. If it indeed does fix a YLOD, then awesome. More than awesome!

[NOkk3r1]

My own 60GB has worked since fix(about year) without any problems. And yes, it is only adding pressure. Actually I figured this out by pressing one GPU corner with screwdriver(lesson learned:don't press it using your finger, it gets very hot very quickly...) one of my GLOD unit which I had already lost faith to get fixed.

I don't know if this works for all YLOD units just like x-clamp isn't the ultimate fix for RROD but since it's quite simple and cheap it's worth a try.

I also recommend to tighten the screws turn by turn so that one side won't get much more pressure than the other during operation.

And afaik mentioned GLOD is very often GPU problem and YLOD is CPU related.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by NOkk3r1 My own 60GB has worked since fix(about year) without any problems. And yes, it is only adding pressure. Actually I figured this out by pressing one GPU corner with screwdriver(lesson learned:don't press it using your finger, it gets very hot very quickly...) one of my GLOD unit which I had already lost faith to get fixed. I don't know if this works for all YLOD units just like x-clamp isn't the ultimate fix for RROD but since it's quite simple and cheap it's worth a try. I also recommend to tighten the screws turn by turn so that one side won't get much more pressure than the other during operation. And afaik mentioned GLOD is very often GPU problem and YLOD is CPU related.

Did you directly installed the washers without trying the heatgun method? Or heatgun method to heat up the solder points, then install the washers for a more permanent fix?

Also if someone would be willing to find the Lowes/Home Depot part number for those in US, that would be greatly appreciated

[NOkk3r1]

Originally Posted by Pirate Did you directly installed the washers without trying the heatgun method? Or heatgun method to heat up the solder points, then install the washers for a more permanent fix? Also if someone would be willing to find the Lowes/Home Depot part number for those in US, that would be greatly appreciated

I didn't use any other method including heat gun.

[SubZer0]

Just a warning to people using the heatgun method, i strongly suggest that before
you do that stuff to follow the very first video of "gilksky" which is about
"Fluxing BGA's + Clamp Bending" because if you don't do this before,
you might get YLOD quicker than you think...
Video: YouTube - fluxing ps3 bga's+ clamp bending!

The pen he's using in that video is a cw8400 pen, non clean lead-free flux
from Chemtronics, there are also other flux out there that could be used though...

Originally Posted by Pirate Did you directly installed the washers without trying the heatgun method? Or heatgun method to heat up the solder points, then install the washers for a more permanent fix?

There isn't a premanent fix as i heard, the only way to really end that ylod once and for all
is to change the solder which is in Lead-free into a Leaded Solder...
And do a complete reballing of the BGA's...

Source: http://www.playbackups.com/Playstati...ga-solder.html

The only way you could permenantly fix the problem is to remove all the lead free solder from the underside of the GPU and replace it with Leaded-solder. This is not only prohibitively expensive to do, but it is also ILLEGAL under the 2006 European Union Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) and Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS). So don't believe anyone promising a permenant fix.

[NOkk3r1]

Some people are contacting me to tell that this doesn't work for their PS3's. I think issue is very similar to xbox 360 RROD: for some units it is enough just for add pressure but some units needs to be heated also. I can't recall if PS3 could be overheated similar way as xbox during x-clamp operation and I don't have one to test this out. Someone could probably try this and comment here.

And to be clear: I have succesfully repaired 5 units using just washers and all are still running. I have normal daytime job and I do this only for fun to help my friends.