YAMAHA S90 Keyboard sticking key repair

[question]

I have a Yamaha S90 Keyboard with a sticking key.
Yamaha will not give me the service manual.
Does anyone have a (service, not owners) manual, or know how to disassemble the keyboard in order to repair the key?
I am good with mechanical things, and would like to know if I can do it myself, or if it must be sent to the service center.
Thanks.

[Walter_Calbo]

Hi Question,

I have the same issue with my S90 so I opened it up myself, I can't tell you exactly in detail how because I don't have my S90 here with me,
so I have to tell you from my memory. You have to remove a lot of screws on the bottom.
I know that the sidepanels and the front/bottompanel came off and the top tilted backwards.
You then have access to the keyboard and the removal of the key(s) is quite simple.
I found out that my key was broken at the back, I tried to glue it but that
didn't work so I ordered a new one.
Last week I got a call that it might be a warranty matter because there were more problems with the S90 keyboards so I might get a whole new keyboard. I'll have to wait and see.
You should also check if you can get it fixed under warranty.

Best luck with it,

Walter

[Sunim Koria]

Man, I've been having the same kind of problem with my Yamaha S08 for the past few years, and since the synth has been out of warranty for some time there's not much I could do about it except try and fix the problem myself.

For my synth this sticking key problem is not a mechanical issue. It is actually the rubber stop beneath the front of the key expanding (due to temperature changes or something, etc.) and pressing against the inner sides of the key and preventing it from springing back up.

I tried to figure out how to open this synth up and get to the problem but I couldn't find the area accessible at all. The only way I 'fixed' the problem was by literally hacking my way into the front wall of the sticking key and tearing out the rubber stop with a stanley knife. This fixed the problem with hardly any adverse effect on the keyboard's playability, but the front of the synth looks like a complete mess so I might need to look into getting some replacement keys (that's if they are easily replaceable).

Funnily enough, this problem is only occurring on certain keys on the synth - it always begins on a D key and then begins to affect the neighbouring C and E keys. All the rest of the keys are strangely unaffected.

SK

[question]

Thanks for the replies.
Walter, if you have a S90 (and not a S90es) it must be a few years old. Did they offer to fix it under warranty even though it has expired?

Sunim, funny my "D" also sticks, and I have also read on the internet that it is often that very key which causes problems.
Anyone else with experience opening the keyboard and fixing a key?

[TSM]

Originally Posted by question

or know how to disassemble the keyboard in order to repair the key?

Hope this helps.

[question]

TSM, thanks for the drawing.
Have I understood it correctly that the bottom panel must be removed first in order to open the top cover? Or is the first drawing the end of the explanation, from the previous page, of how to open the top cover?

[TSM]

PM'd you.

[mrstoobins]

Originally Posted by Walter_Calbo

Hi Question,

I have the same issue with my S90 so I opened it up myself, I can't tell you exactly in detail how because I don't have my S90 here with me,
so I have to tell you from my memory. You have to remove a lot of screws on the bottom.
I know that the sidepanels and the front/bottompanel came off and the top tilted backwards.
You then have access to the keyboard and the removal of the key(s) is quite simple.
I found out that my key was broken at the back, I tried to glue it but that
didn't work so I ordered a new one.
Last week I got a call that it might be a warranty matter because there were more problems with the S90 keyboards so I might get a whole new keyboard. I'll have to wait and see.
You should also check if you can get it fixed under warranty.

Best luck with it,

Walter

What did you find out with the "new keyboard" thing? I just called yesterday to order some keys and they told me the same thing. I have to call them back today with the serial number.

[question]

Mr. Stoobins,
I would also like to know about this keyboard replacement deal.
I opened my S-90 referring to the service manual so graciously sent to me by TSM.
I got down to the level of the keys, the stuck key seemed to be mechanically Ok, and it seemed risky to disassemble any further.
I will need to have it repaired by Yamaha, so if anyone has details regarding replacement of the keyboard due to some sort of design flaw, please post.

Thanks

[bills90]

Thanks for the diagram, TSM. It's a big help. I have to replace the keybed in my S90. Yamaha said they're sending me a new one. I've replaced them in my Kurzweil PC88 and Korg Sampling Grand. I haven't opened the S90 yet. Is there a service manual availble some where?

Thanks again.
Bill

[question]

It might be of interest to others to know that Yamaha replaced the entire (mechanical part) of my S-90 keyboard under warranty for free!
Although the warranty has expired, apparently there was some sort of design flaw which they decided to remedy in order to keep their good reputation.
I bought my S-90 around 2003.
They Yamaha service center will need to know the serial number of the keyboard in order to see if it is part of the series with this defect.

Hope that helps.

[ricksz]

I've fixed several sticking keys on my S90 and all had the same fault. At the inside end of each key where the key pivots like a ball and socket the side walls of the socket at the end of the key were affected by cracking - which made the side walls no longer quite parallel and the key was no longer held straight so it rubs and sticks on the plastic movement guards or the next key. It took me a while to figure this out as the cracking can be almost invisible at first with very slight deformity of the socket sides on the inside tip of the key.

The way I've fixed each key is to break off the small piece of plastic that has cracked and simply glue it back carefully using a good superglue. Superglue seems to work really well with this plastic and only takes a short time to set. I usually put the key back in after 10 minutes settings time. The fix seems to be quite reliable.

However, now that I've heard that Yamaha admit a design flaw and will replace affected keyboards I thinks I'll make enquiries to see if I can get a complete replacement.

[counterclockwise]

Originally Posted by TSM

Hope this helps.

Take care when you lift up the metal top. All of the components (computer, display, power supply, except the keybed are attached to the metal cover. The keybed rests on the bottom fiber board. Remove all of the large black phillips head screws from the fiberboard underneath [machine screws, not self-tappers] before lifting the cover up.

There are seven blue wires in a bundle that can be stretched beyond mechanical limits if the top cover is allowed to flop down behind the keybed on the hinges. Do not let the cover swing more than 180 degrees over. Use needle nose pliers to pinch the white platic strain relief nib closed and loosen the strain relief for the wire bundle to assure that this bundle is not overstressed by moving the cover. Press the nib of the strain relief back in the anchor hole before closing the two hinged halves back together.

[bills90]

Originally Posted by bills90

Thanks for the diagram, TSM. It's a big help. I have to replace the keybed in my S90. Yamaha said they're sending me a new one. I've replaced them in my Kurzweil PC88 and Korg Sampling Grand. I haven't opened the S90 yet.

Update 4/12/09

I successfully replaced the whole keyboard with a free one from Yamaha. I want to thank you guys for your assistance. It was a BIG help!

Thanks again.
Bill

[csoundso]

I run a Yamaha warranty station. The defective keybeds can be identified by putting the unit at eye level( squat doen in front of it ) and looking straight on at the front edges of the keys. Keys that stick or are slow to return due to the defect in question will be SLIGHTLY tilted ( edges not straight up and down ) compared to the unaffected keys. The pivot of the key is cracked allowing it to tilt and bind in the guides. You can also test by lightly grasping the front edge of each key and moving it gently side to side. Good keys will usually have a tiny amount of play while tilted ones won't. You can fix keys as described in another post ( clean the grease off before gluing ) and fixed ones probably won't fail again but many or all the keys will fail eventually. So far Yamaha has provided warrenty keybed replacement and instalation by a warrenty station ( even if the warrenty period has expired ) as long as the keyboard was brought in by the original purchaser. This is only for this specific manufacturing defect. Not if the sticking has another cause. If you think this fits you you should contact a Yamaha warrenty station. If they are un aware of the situation they can contact Yamaha. Hope this helps ! Rob

[DesertTunes]

Thanks to the fine advice and technical assistance here I was able to quickly get to the keybed in my S-90 and move a sticking "G" key up the keyboard to a register where it wouldn't be such an irritation.

Shortly thereafter I contacted Yamaha by email and was given the name of a local service/warranty station. They had a replacement keybed within 2 weeks, and replaced it within an hour of me dropping it off.

Can't say enough good stuff about Yamaha's warranty and my local service center!

[Brindella]

Hi all, coming into this thread a bit late, I have a "C" key that is really sticky on mine. I don't remember banging it but it looks like it is bent to the side. I have a friend helping me take it apart but really need the manual. Does any one have any good resources to where I can find it or send it to me directly?


My p-90 was the later version that wasn't included in the warranty.

thanks!

[bigtom]

I know this thread is old, but can anyone tell me how to actually remove the key itself. I have the case opened. I just don't see how the key is to be removed.
I was thinking of just moving the affected key to another location if I can get it out.

[cmram]

I've taken apart my Yamaha s08 keyboard. I have many sticky keys. It did start with the D key curiously enough. Taking it apart isn't hard. The key is removed by depressing a plastic retaining tab just under the skinny part of the key on one side or the other. On the key at the very top is a small arrow showing which side the tab is on. Look at the very lowest key carefully to see how and where the tab is. When the tab is depressed SLIGHTLY it will then slide toward the front and lift carefully out front first. Be careful not to use too much force in any step. There is a leaf type spring that slides into a slot under the key at the very top. Be careful not to bend this spring. If it comes unseated in it's slot it can be successfully put back in position under the plastic slot in which it sets. I am going to try powdered graphite as a lubricant on the rubber stop under the key. I'll let you know how it works within the next few days. God be with you. BE VERY CAREFUL!!! Did I stress that you have to be very careful?

[AfterViewer]

I have a Korg 1985 workstation that started losing keys after it was a few years old. Disassembled it completely to get at the "wafer" inside to blow out what little fine dust residue that had created an electronic contact break. Did that about 3 different times. Now it just sits packed away, thanks to digital technology. Have never had any problems with "cut out" since that advent.

[yorfutrxhsbnd]

Not knowing that Yamaha had acknowledged a defective keyboard and was replacing them, I took mine to a repair person at Keyboard Concepts in W. Los Angeles a couple of years ago. It was not expensive to repair and several keys were sticking even though the keyboard was sitting unused in a case most of the time. The store I had purchased the keyboard from I think had closed. I did not buy it at Keyboard Concepts.

Now I'm having a problem with one key sticking, the B above middle C and sure enough it looks like its not perfectly parallel to the others, so that it does not have the clearance it needs. I am going to try to find the repair person to see if Yamaha will still replace this after I've owned it so long, or perhaps he can tell me if the key can be manipulated or filed so that it has the clearance it needs. I would never undertake anything requiring more than the most simple skills to repair this myself as I'm sure I would probably damage it further.

I don't know why mechanisms are cracking if you're not using the keyboard. I keep the humidity and temperature pretty constant in the apartment because I have a grand piano in the living room and know that fluctuations in the humidity cause all kinds of problems with the action and risk cracking the soundboard. I had finally decided to practice late at night and its annoying that the same problem appears even with no use.

[TSM]

Here in the UK, if you took it to an Authorised Yamaha service agent, they would replace it FOC. Even after this time. Not sure what the deal is in the states.
Thanks.

[Erik Thomas]

Originally Posted by yorfutrxhsbnd

Not knowing that Yamaha had acknowledged a defective keyboard and was replacing them, I took mine to a repair person at Keyboard Concepts in W. Los Angeles a couple of years ago. It was not expensive to repair and several keys were sticking even though the keyboard was sitting unused in a case most of the time. The store I had purchased the keyboard from I think had closed. I did not buy it at Keyboard Concepts.

Now I'm having a problem with one key sticking, the B above middle C and sure enough it looks like its not perfectly parallel to the others, so that it does not have the clearance it needs. I am going to try to find the repair person to see if Yamaha will still replace this after I've owned it so long, or perhaps he can tell me if the key can be manipulated or filed so that it has the clearance it needs. I would never undertake anything requiring more than the most simple skills to repair this myself as I'm sure I would probably damage it further.

I don't know why mechanisms are cracking if you're not using the keyboard. I keep the humidity and temperature pretty constant in the apartment because I have a grand piano in the living room and know that fluctuations in the humidity cause all kinds of problems with the action and risk cracking the soundboard. I had finally decided to practice late at night and its annoying that the same problem appears even with no use.

Yamaha did this for my P 80 a couple of years ago when the keys were sticking on the 8 year old keyboard that was technically out of warranty. They were very good about picking up everything. So far, the replacement keyboard has been great.

[PursuitKeys]

"Yamaha did this for my P 80 a couple of years ago when the keys were sticking on the 8 year old keyboard that was technically out of warranty. They were very good about picking up everything. So far, the replacement keyboard has been great."

I just got off the phone after submitting an email to yamaha about my S90es which was having the same issue. I'm not a professional player and haven't used the keyboard very much. Its about 8 years old.
They were NOT sympathetic, to say the least. In fact the Yamaha service rep continually interrupted me. I own Yamaha guitars, this S90es and almost bought an unused older model of the Motif. A little disappointed.
Note for the Motif: the local service tech said that the older models of the Motif all are given a 1 time full key replacement because they are so likely to ware out. Talk about lack of consumer confidence!

[robertgmartin]

I have an S90 that I purchased new from GC back in 2002 or so. We ultimately donated it to our church and they used it for many years. It recently began having issues (sticking keys) so our music director bought a new Yamaha. He said we could have the old S90 if we wanted it. I took it and its sat in a closet the last 6 months or so. I finally took it out to take a look at it and it did have several keys that were sticking. I opened it up and remedied a few sticking keys via some help from youtube videos, but there were still issues.

I called Yamaha and provided them the serial number and they told me that they would repair the faulty keybed assembly. The only catch was, they do not pay for the repair and it has to be done by a Yamaha certified repair technician. I called around and found one that charges $150.00 and he subsequently ordered the replacement parts. I have not had the work done but I anticipate by next week it will be completed. Pretty good deal on an 11 year old keyboard. Thank you Yamaha. I will buy another keyboard from you...

[Paultjuuh]

I also have a sticky key, but a black one that sticks UP and causes two surrounding keys to make a clicking noise. When I remove the hey the other two dont click.
Also, I am able to take out the black key and it is not attached to the front hammer since this is the only one that I can take out without removing the front metal part.

Anybody any help?