Shimano FlightDeck wired (not wireless) pickup problem
 

The pickup on my Shimano Flightdeck computer has ceased to function. It used to make a quiet ticking sound as the magnet passed the sensor, and now it's silent. The computer functions but doesn't pick up the sensor's input. No speed, no mileage. Basically it's now a fancy stopwatch. The magnet is fine, still magnetic, still positioned appropriately.

If this were the wireless version I'd be able to replace just the sensor, but it's not. It's the wired version. I think I'm SOL. Couple of questions before I ditch a $60 mount and buy the $80 wireless version:

1) anyone replace the sensor on one of these things? I could just buy a super cheap computer and cut/solder that sensor in to the system.

2) Is the RF antenna for the wired version in the mount or in the computer? If it's in the computer can I put a wireless sensor on this thing and just keep the wired mount? If you have the wireless version, can your computer pick up your sensor when the computer is disconnected from the bike?

Thanks.

I may be wrong, but i thought that you had to replace with the same type of mount. Ie if you have wired now, you need to either get a wired mount, or replace the comp and mount with the wireless version.

I'm assuming you've got a 9 speed. Try ebay. I see new mounts there going for around $20.

Earlier this spring, my 9 sp. flight deck quit picking up wheel speed too, everything else seemed to work fine.

Yesterday (yes, literally) I finally got around to trying to figure it out, and got it to work:

Looked at magnet/pickup position, seemed fine.

Removed magnet and just looked at it and made sure it was still a magnet.

Took off the computer head and sprayed the contacts on the mount and the computer head w/ electronic spray (I have a can for some reason), and scrubbed with a clean toothbrush. They did look a little grungy, but nothing that would make me take notice. I just cleaned it for the heck of it.

Put the magnet back on, realigned and everything works fine, so far. Haven't ridden any distance yet. So, I guess try cleaning the contacts?

Other than that, check ebay and online sellers for pickup/mounts. I found some computer heads on ebay a couple of years ago and bought a spare head, and mounting bracket on icyclesusa.com for a reasonable price (just looked there and they have 6500 - 9 sp - mount/pickup assembly for $28.

Thanks for the tips. My contacts look clean, and I have the stuff to clean them (I work in the electronics industry so it's readily available). I'l give it a shot but I don't have high hopes because, like I said, I used to hear the sensor clicking as the contact opened/closed when the magnet passed and now I don't. I wish I still worked at my old job where I could x-ray the sensor. :)

I do have 9 speed and will try ebay. Thanks for that suggestion. $30 is a lot better than $80.

It may be a simple matter of repositioning the magnet. There are two locations, both on the far ends of the sensor. If one end has stopped working, try the other end.

IIRC the marks are "place the magnet between these lines", not "choose one line or the other". I'll try it but I'm not holding out high hopes. I played around with a lot of different positions.

I've had the same problem. After replacing both sets of batteries I thought it was toast. Then cleaned the contacts with an electronic spray as Camilo mentioned and was back in business.

Directions for my sensor indicated the magnet be placed over one of two locations, both on the ends. You could have a different sensor design. When I had a problem reading, I readjusted the magnet more toward the center from where it had been previously, but still over the end location. It's worked flawlessly ever since.

The place I mentioned for $28, while they do list on ebay sometimes, is a website www.icyclesusa.com. But you should definitely check ebay which is where I found my type of computer heads for cheap a couple of years ago.