Introduction
Due to humidity and water ingress the main PCB of Tefal GV6760 Effectis Steam Generator Iron gets corroded. This causes the iron to stop functioning or error LEDs flash. The repair is relatively easy. It requires full teardown and 99% alcohol wash of the PCB solves the issue most of the times.
What you need
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This is what we are going to teardown for repair. Other models of Tefal steam generator irons may have similar construction.
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First remove the power connector. It is difficult to grab, so you can use a pry tool to remove from base. This is actually optional. When you remove the base the cord comes off and stays in the base.
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Use a torx 20 bit to remove four screws marked at the base.
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Once the base is off, we can see the inner construction of the iron. The steam generator unit is the large round steel thing with the heater unit and safety sensors on it. This large steel part is now free. If the iron was used very recently, the steam generator may be very hot, so be careful.
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Remove the cable connector coming from the handle of the iron by pulling it up. Also remove the ground cable marked in the first photo.
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Locate two plastic tabs that hold the upper cover inside the plastic casing. Second and third photos show the openings that you can use to reach the tabs.
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The tab that needs to be pried can be seen in the first photo.
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The second photo shows the bottom of the top cover. See the marked latching tabs on the top cover.
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We need to first remove these connectors to ease the circuit board removal.
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Locate two tabs that will help you pry off the control panel.
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Softly pry the tabs and the control panel will come out when you pull it forward. Be careful there are cables that are attached to the panel and there is not much slack.
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There are three screws holding the top decoration panel, use a Philips 0 bit to remove them.
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Now the PCB can be seen, separated from the bottom part and held in place with tabs inside the top decoration.
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Pry the tabs shown in the first and second photos that keep the main PCB in place.
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Remove the PCB.
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The power button has a clear plastic insert, be careful not to lose it.
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Even though the PCB has conformal coating, it somehow has corrosion formed on it. I have seen this fault at two different irons. I think it is a very common issue.
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Use 99% isopropyl alcohol and a soft brush to clean the oxidation. In my case I had to use brake cleaner, too. I am not sure if this has damaged the existing conformal coating.
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If you have access to paint on conformal coating, applying some may be a good idea. I haven't done it.
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Use a hairdryer to dry the PCB before re-assembly.
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Do everything in reverse order and re-assemble the iron.
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Make sure all connectors are fit snug.
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Well-done. If the corrosion was not extensive and didn't eat traces, your iron will work properly again. If there is further damage, you will need to repair or replace the board I am afraid.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
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3 Comments
Very useful! I had no idea about how to remove the top cover.
Super! Vous avez expliqué ça très bien. Merci beaucoup 🥳
Merci beaucoup. J'ai une centrale vapeur CALOR Effectis, model GV6820. Elle a une conception très très similaire et se démonte de la même façon. Pouvez-vous changer dans le titre du tutoriel "Tefal" par "Tefal ou Calor". Ce serait utile lors de la recherche. Merci.
