DME Unit - rebuild or buy new?
 

I could use some help in deciding whether to rebuild my DME unit, cost about $500 or buy a new unit, cost about $1,100. Trouble is I have heard some rebuilds sometimes go bad, many times after the warranty has expired. What is the consensus out there? Did those of you who bought rebuilt DME units have any trouble later? Who is the best rebuilder? Why doesn't Pelican offer this service?

[This message has been edited by movin (edited 07-15-2001).]

[This message has been edited by movin (edited 07-15-2001).]

Have you narrowed it down to the DME yet Movin?
I thought you had concidered the distributor?.
Have you tried a loaner DME ?
This would be my 1st serious move before laying out cash for a new one!.
Find a local wrench that will loan/rent you one if possible.
At least this guy I used lowned me a spare for a few days!(i know i paid for it in the long run but http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/smile.gif)
Hope you get thru this!.
Frustrating but believe me, it will come! http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/smile.gif
As soon as you find it you will kick yourself that you did not find it sooner!
GOOD LUCK!
rgds Ben

[This message has been edited by 86ragtop (edited 07-15-2001).]

Ragtop,
Yep, DME for sure, although the distributor needs to be re-built too. I hope to get some experienced opinions on this subject. Maybe the DME units have a limited life in general. Eventually, I suppose we'll all find that out if true.

Have you taken a look at the DME board? You may want to. If there are no obvious signs of broken solder etc, you may want to double check before getting another used one. In my case it seems that at least a few cokes, coffees or just water have hit the board over the years, and surely a liquid sat on the board for an extended period, as I could see the stain. But in looking it over, I didn't see any obvious damage...

On the rebuilt ones: I would definitely double check this idea all together. Rebuilding a circuit board that complex doesn't even make sense...will they replace every component? Are they just checking for continuity? If a component is weak, how would they know unless it failed?
Rebuilding a unit like that does not lend itself to a method or any sure fire way of determing that it will work. I imagine, a rebuilt one was tested, found maybe not to work somewhere, the related components replaced and circuit checked, and then sent out. As far as ensuring it's going to keep working; there is no effective means of doing so without replacing everything with new parts which I am SURE they do not do.



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Kurt B
1984 Carrera Cabriolet
911 Page
carrera_cabriolet@yahoo.com

I know you say it's definetely the DME, but do you know where on the DME it has failed? If it has failed at one of the solder joints at the "jones" plug or at the joints on the transformer-fix it yourself, it is easy! If , however, other items have failed then I think it best to buy a new OR used one. I'm not a big fan of the rebuilds-especially $500.00 rebuilt units.
You can check these joints visually-just inspect the posts on the underside of the pcb , if it is cracked:re-solder. The plugs can be wiggled back and forth to see if it has a crack. Let us know what you find.