Three lights of death?

[clipperjay]

Anyone fixed an Xbox 360 before? 
Three lights of death look like thermal issues? 
I've taken the kids one apart and cleaned up the thermal paste, but the X brackets are just poo!
So I getting some bolts and nylon washers to try and secure it abit more.
Any suggestions on how to fix the old gal?
I bought this back in 2005 so had 8 years of play before this has happened, proberly the oldest Xbox 360 so wanna fix it!
The X brackets look like I need to dremel off the secure tabs so I can re-use the X bracket with the bolts for tighter hold on the coolers?

Cheers in advance for info.
Jay
 

[gm8]

there is a youtube video called the towel trick I think .

I remember my doing it and it working for him .

[golf-sib]

You can get some descent New x clamp kits with improved clamp, bolts, washers etc... of ebay. Use some descent thermal paste too like arctic silver, being a pc guy I imagine you got some.

I found it does the trick and extended my xboxs life and put it back to life. I think from what I've read the Xbox pcbs warp and the solder fractures over time which is why the towel trick works to a degree causing the solder to reflow and settle.

[justalex81]

unleaded solder used in these. Over time it goes brittle and cracks. Get a new one 

[clipperjay]

Yeah bought three washers and used some old bolts and screws then cleaned GPU CPU stuck some artic silver. Had to drill 7mm holes to make room for the bolt heads otherwise the PCB would not sit flush.
So far tried pulling fan out to overheat it to reflow 20mins
Tried hair drier 5mins
Tried sticking a low flame over the heat sink to reflow 1min
Still got three lights!
TBF need one of those heat plates and heat lights apprently need it about 440F odd to reflow?
Gave it my best shot but its over 7 years old and first time its failed.


On another note Alex the boiler PCB gave me sh!t as you know, and it wasn't the pump, as it locks out when its off and the water pump still runs on. I took the PCB off and cleaned it with alcohol wipes and dust spray.
Works fine now its only locked out once since rebuild, but fear its the same thing bad soldiering joints and overheating.
The new PCB requires new loom and fan which I couldn't be arsed   

[justalex81]

yeah the pcb in that boiler are famous for the lockout fault. If you replace the pcb and wiring loom, the new one has been updated and is more reliable.

[golf newbie]

Have you tried using a heat gun to reflow..if its the same as the ps3 you will some no clean flux also..

Hair drier or a naked flame wont generate enough heat to reball..

[R32UK]

get a ps3 


although i did the reflux thing on my ps3 and it worked for about 2weeks 

[clipperjay]

Well wife did suggest buying a PS3 for the boy for his birthday?
Does PS3 have Batman games thought it would cause an issues with the games he like to play with?
Guess I can trade his Xbox games for PS3 ones. 
TBF his attitude is better after it died LOL!
Looked for a reflow heat kit and its not cheap indeedee!

[R32UK]

Well wife did suggest buying a PS3 for the boy for his birthday?
Does PS3 have Batman games thought it would cause an issues with the games he like to play with?
Guess I can trade his Xbox games for PS3 ones. 
TBF his attitude is better after it died LOL!
Looked for a reflow heat kit and its not cheap indeedee!

I may have one laying about somewhere... will have a look for you