Problem with Kindle 3 sliding switch - Page 2

tovare · 10-31-2010, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alsaan

It happened to mine too, but it resolved itself after a few days.

Same here :-)

vermontcathy · 11-01-2010, 12:27 PM

Mine has also gotten sticky, hasn't resolved yet. Unless it gets worse, I'll probably wait a while (towards the end of the warranty) before asking for an exchange.

curstpriest · 11-02-2010, 02:35 AM

I believe you need one of these:

mldavis2 · 11-02-2010, 08:18 AM

I see that there are several models being used here. The K3 is super-simple (again, refer to the video posted above) and should be essentially trouble-free unless physically damaged by dropping, or from foreign material. I have no experience with the K1,K2,DX.

sirmaru · 11-02-2010, 08:57 AM

Only use your thumbnail to grab the edge of the switch to move it. Its right below the Font Key.

If you use your thumb, itself, the pressure could weaken the spring.

vermontcathy · 11-03-2010, 09:47 AM

My switch was getting pretty bad (often wouldn't slide back to the left on its own) but it got better yesterday after I did the following. I'd read a posting by someone about trying to use your nail to lift the switch outward as you slid it. That didn't really work for me. But while holding the switch to the right, I used my nail to pull outward on it and somehow that made it better.

BTW I think it's silly to say you HAVE to use your nail and not press on the button or you'll weaken it - a switch shouldn't be damaged by using it in the normal way.

mldavis2 · 11-03-2010, 09:55 AM

@vermontcathy shows a Kindle 2 device which may be different from the K3. Again, referring to the disassembly video (link posted above), the switch on the K3 is a simple flat piece of plastic that slides over a microswitch. The spring is similar to the top of a shepherd's crook with very light tension, and as such, shouldn't be subject to weakening over the life of the device. Either something has gotten embedded in the switch channel, or a piece of the switch has broken off and impeded the slide channel. There is virtually nothing to go wrong with the design absent external debris or physical damage. The switch and channel shouldn't be subject to wear under normal use. If it were my device, I'd take it apart and see what's wrong.

Gwen Morse · 11-03-2010, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taksina

Is anyone having a problem with Kindle 3's sliding switch? Mine's sliding back to the left more slowly by the day and sometime extra force is needed to push it all the way to the right before the green light appears. I suppose the whole process should be snappy and involve minimum force, shouldn't it?

Is there any quick fix for this or should I contact Amazon right away? I hate to part with my Kindle. Besides, I live in Bangkok and it's going to cost me money and much time to get it fixed or replaced

I had this problem, and then the kindle "died" (turned off fully - blank screen and never turned back on). I sent mine back after it died and the replacement has a nice snappy "springy" switch.

If it's at all possible I'd suggest trying to contact Amazon (email should be free if you don't want to pay to call them). You can see what they recommend.

vermontcathy · 11-04-2010, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mldavis2

@vermontcathy shows a Kindle 2 device which may be different from the K3. Again, referring to the disassembly video (link posted above), the switch on the K3 is a simple flat piece of plastic that slides over a microswitch. The spring is similar to the top of a shepherd's crook with very light tension, and as such, shouldn't be subject to weakening over the life of the device. Either something has gotten embedded in the switch channel, or a piece of the switch has broken off and impeded the slide channel. There is virtually nothing to go wrong with the design absent external debris or physical damage. The switch and channel shouldn't be subject to wear under normal use. If it were my device, I'd take it apart and see what's wrong.

My signature is old - I have a K3. I'll change that. I certainly would not take apart a kindle that is still under warranty! Why risk damaging something when Amazon will replace it for free?? Regardless of your explanation of the switch, mine has gone back to pretty much normal after doing what I described.

GlassX · 11-04-2010, 02:33 PM

I also had this problem, however it was after if fell and the back side was a bit off. When I returned it to its position it returned back to good.

aquawater · 11-09-2010, 08:01 AM

I also have the same issue now. The power switch feel kinda sticky. And not as smooth as it used to be.

mewmartigan · 11-09-2010, 09:43 AM

My switch has always given a little resistance when moving it. Almost like it was saying "are you sure you want to do this and you aren't just accidentally bumping it?"

I thought this was on purpose until I played with a friend's K3 Wifi and that switch is smooth as butter.

The switch has no problems sliding back though and seems to work just fine so I probably won't worry about it.

duckeedoug · 11-09-2010, 11:43 AM

I have had this issue for the first time last night on my 3 week old K3. The temperature in N. Calif got down to 30 degrees and it was 60 degrees inside of my house. Te first time that I encountered the issue was when the temperature was low. I had earlier suggested that the issue occurred when the temperature was warmer then normal. This suggestion was just based on the expansion potential of the plastics used in the device. I now believe that the issue is related to the contraction of the plastics between the switch and the case. Amazon may have also started using some type of lube that is temperature sensitive in the newer production models, but I doubt it. It could be also that the spring steel used in the switch is sensitive to temperature changes, again this is unlikely. What I do know is that I will most likely NOT take the unit apart to figure out what the issue is, that is what the warranty is for. Hopefully the switch will resolve itself. I will give it a couple of weeks and will also observe what happens in warmer temperature

Kumabjorn · 11-09-2010, 12:29 PM

Duckeedoug might be on to something. It is chilly here in Sweden and the problem is persisting.

Doug Huffman · 11-10-2010, 09:19 AM

A piece of metal working in the elastic region as a spring cannot wear out. It is dirt/FOD. I've suggested and am keeping my eye open for something to keep dirt out of these openings.

11-02-2010, 08:57 AM	#20
sirmaru Wizard Posts: 2,426 Karma: 6561538 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: Kindle PW 2013, HDX 2013, Galaxy S5 2014	Thumbnail, ONLY Only use your thumbnail to grab the edge of the switch to move it. Its right below the Font Key. If you use your thumb, itself, the pressure could weaken the spring.

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11-01-2010, 12:27 PM	#17
vermontcathy Zealot Posts: 106 Karma: 536510 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: vermont Device: Colorsoft, K3, K4, Oasis	Mine has also gotten sticky, hasn't resolved yet. Unless it gets worse, I'll probably wait a while (towards the end of the warranty) before asking for an exchange.

11-02-2010, 02:35 AM	#18
curstpriest Confused Posts: 402 Karma: 5538 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bay Area Device: Kindle DXG	I believe you need one of these:

11-02-2010, 08:18 AM	#19
mldavis2 Coffee Nut Posts: 410 Karma: 298350 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Missouri Device: Kindle 3; K4PC; Calibre	I see that there are several models being used here. The K3 is super-simple (again, refer to the video posted above) and should be essentially trouble-free unless physically damaged by dropping, or from foreign material. I have no experience with the K1,K2,DX.

11-03-2010, 09:47 AM	#21
vermontcathy Zealot Posts: 106 Karma: 536510 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: vermont Device: Colorsoft, K3, K4, Oasis	My switch was getting pretty bad (often wouldn't slide back to the left on its own) but it got better yesterday after I did the following. I'd read a posting by someone about trying to use your nail to lift the switch outward as you slid it. That didn't really work for me. But while holding the switch to the right, I used my nail to pull outward on it and somehow that made it better. BTW I think it's silly to say you HAVE to use your nail and not press on the button or you'll weaken it - a switch shouldn't be damaged by using it in the normal way.

11-03-2010, 09:55 AM	#22
mldavis2 Coffee Nut Posts: 410 Karma: 298350 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Missouri Device: Kindle 3; K4PC; Calibre	@vermontcathy shows a Kindle 2 device which may be different from the K3. Again, referring to the disassembly video (link posted above), the switch on the K3 is a simple flat piece of plastic that slides over a microswitch. The spring is similar to the top of a shepherd's crook with very light tension, and as such, shouldn't be subject to weakening over the life of the device. Either something has gotten embedded in the switch channel, or a piece of the switch has broken off and impeded the slide channel. There is virtually nothing to go wrong with the design absent external debris or physical damage. The switch and channel shouldn't be subject to wear under normal use. If it were my device, I'd take it apart and see what's wrong.

11-04-2010, 02:33 PM	#25
GlassX Connoisseur Posts: 79 Karma: 24830 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle 3, K4NT	I also had this problem, however it was after if fell and the back side was a bit off. When I returned it to its position it returned back to good.

11-09-2010, 08:01 AM	#26
aquawater Enthusiast Posts: 43 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: iPad 2	I also have the same issue now. The power switch feel kinda sticky. And not as smooth as it used to be.

11-09-2010, 09:43 AM	#27
mewmartigan Guru Posts: 852 Karma: 8242060 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Kindle Oasis (2019)	My switch has always given a little resistance when moving it. Almost like it was saying "are you sure you want to do this and you aren't just accidentally bumping it?" I thought this was on purpose until I played with a friend's K3 Wifi and that switch is smooth as butter. The switch has no problems sliding back though and seems to work just fine so I probably won't worry about it.

11-09-2010, 11:43 AM	#28
duckeedoug Zealot Posts: 122 Karma: 160 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: Sony PRS 505	I have had this issue for the first time last night on my 3 week old K3. The temperature in N. Calif got down to 30 degrees and it was 60 degrees inside of my house. Te first time that I encountered the issue was when the temperature was low. I had earlier suggested that the issue occurred when the temperature was warmer then normal. This suggestion was just based on the expansion potential of the plastics used in the device. I now believe that the issue is related to the contraction of the plastics between the switch and the case. Amazon may have also started using some type of lube that is temperature sensitive in the newer production models, but I doubt it. It could be also that the spring steel used in the switch is sensitive to temperature changes, again this is unlikely. What I do know is that I will most likely NOT take the unit apart to figure out what the issue is, that is what the warranty is for. Hopefully the switch will resolve itself. I will give it a couple of weeks and will also observe what happens in warmer temperature

11-09-2010, 12:29 PM	#29
Kumabjorn Basculocolpic Posts: 4,356 Karma: 20181319 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Kindle 4SO, Kindle for Android, Sony PRS-350 and PRS-T1	Duckeedoug might be on to something. It is chilly here in Sweden and the problem is persisting.

11-10-2010, 09:19 AM	#30
Doug Huffman Banned Posts: 102 Karma: 7860 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Washington Island, across Death's Door, Wisconsin, USA Device: KINDLE 3 WiFi	A piece of metal working in the elastic region as a spring cannot wear out. It is dirt/FOD. I've suggested and am keeping my eye open for something to keep dirt out of these openings.