Macintosh SE/30 - Activity LED Amber

[insanelygreat88]

Hi all,

Apologies if this has been discussed elsewhere, though I couldn't find a relevant thread.

I have a perfectly working SE/30. However, the activity LED on the front is very very dim. It does flash with activity on the hard drive, but it's so faint that you have to really look.

I was wondering if this was typical of this color of LED or if it's just old and needs replacing. If replacing, where could I source a similar color? I want to keep the SE/30 looking stock, so I want to keep the same color.

Thank you!

 

[Nixontheknight]

That's the normal color. An LED's color doesn't change over time, only if the temperature is changed does it shift, and even then ever so slightly

 

[insanelygreat88]

That's the normal color. An LED's color doesn't change over time, only if the temperature is changed does it shift, and even then ever so slightly

I get that. My problem seems to be that there isn't much difference between when it's lit and when it's not lit. Maybe it's not an LED issue, but the connection from the hard drive to the LED is secure, so I'm not sure why it seems so dim when compared to other machines I have.

 

[Nixontheknight]

ok yeah it being so dim is an issue. You can probably look on digikey or mouser for a new part

 

[ScutBoy]

It's probably pulled away/fallen out of the little holder that keeps it up next to the clear plastic "window".

If you are up to it, you can open up the machine, pull the logic board, undo the hard drive/floppy cage and take a look. You would have to do the same if you actually need to replace it, but I'd bet small money that it's just out of place.

 

[insanelygreat88]

It's probably pulled away/fallen out of the little holder that keeps it up next to the clear plastic "window".

If you are up to it, you can open up the machine, pull the logic board, undo the hard drive/floppy cage and take a look. You would have to do the same if you actually need to replace it, but I'd bet small money that it's just out of place.

I did exactly that and the LED was snug inside it's holder :/

 

[croissantking]

If it’s not the stock drive you’re using, maybe the voltages are too low from the pin header?

The next thing to try would be another LED, I guess.

 

[ScutBoy]

Good troubleshooting! Glad I didn't bet my small money, then