Altec Lansing iM7 Teardown

Geschrieben von: Casey Friday

Veröffentlicht: 11/12/13

Kommentare: 39

Altec Lansing iM7 Teardown

Veröffentlicht: 11/12/13

Teardown

Einleitung

If you're looking to replace the retaining clip that holds the iPod door in, you might be out of luck. It seemed to be more work than was worth it in my case, but I was able to clean the circuit board with electronic contact cleaner, and I also cleaned all the aluminum grills and dust from the plastic.

Edit: Well, I ordered a sample from the company that provides the clip for the door, and you simply have to pull the broken door latch out with some pliers, then push the new one in, and your door works just like it's new! The name of the company is Richco, a part of Essentra Components, and the part number is DL-1X. They shipped two of them to me for free. Awesome!

Werkzeuge

Schritt 1

Remove the rubber surround from the outside of the carry handle.
Unscrew the two Phillips screws from the inside of the carry handle area.

Schritt 2

Remove the two battery doors. Remove the 8 Phillips screws from the bottom of the device. This is easiest with a magnetic Phillips screwdriver.
Lift the bottom plate off of the device.

Schritt 3

Twist the side subwoofer grill counter-clockwise to release it from the case.
You can then remove the grill by tugging a bit on it. There is adhesive keeping it stuck to the main body, so pull slowly.
You now have access to the side-firing subwoofer (and the passive driver on the other side). You can remove the four Phillips screws and replace these speakers, if you're stopping here.

Schritt 4

Remove the two Phillips screws in the remote control bay.
Pull the rear cover off of the main body. The top will still be attached to a "clip-in" connection, so don't pull too hard just yet.
You can also remove the rubber lining from the carry handle for cleaning now.

Schritt 5

You can now remove the two rear mesh aluminum grills. They simply clip on to the top and bottom, so you only have to pull them off. The top has adhesive applied to it.
Do this on both sides, and you can now clean the rear plastic of the device.

Schritt 6

Remove the rear white plastic area by slowly prying it up with a flat head screwdriver. Be sure to only pry at the top (near the power button), since that's where the piece clips in.
The unit clips in almost parallel with the surface the iM7 is sitting on, when upright.

Schritt 7

You can now pull off the back half of the device to expose the amplifier an internal circuitry.
This is a good opportunity to clean the amplifier's circuitry with electronic contact cleaner.

Schritt 8

The dock piece is connected to the circuit board via wires that you can see move while you pull it forward.
I chose to not remove the dock portion because I didn't want to disconnect any wires from the board, but if you're doing a repair, feel free to take this even further. You should have made it far enough through the teardown to get as far as you need from here.
To replace the door latch, you actually don't have to take the unit apart at all. Just request a sample of part DL-1X from Richco Components, and they'll send you two for free! Pull the old one out with pliers (little black clip), and push the new one in until it 'snaps' into place.

Tinte & Feder

Casey Friday

Mitglied seit: 21/02/13

205 Reputation

39 Kommentare

As i can see it's the same D class amps used in my Altec IMT-800.

These devices are very powerfull and the sound quality is present for D class.

If someone have some schematic i would be very happy to have a look!

Altec construction is quite complicated but the case (for my IMT800) is VERY resistant.

I don't regret my 240Euro spent on it at all

Thanks

Nico -

Yeah I had to have a go at mine when I started having speakers go out one by one and it took forever but like nico said about his, ITS WORTH IT! I've never been more impressed by any stereo as much as this model particularly. And mine was not a living room fixture by any means at all, I dragged it from job site to job site beatin on it (and out it) day after day loud as it could go and it's STILL going! I'll be MOST grateful for ANY more info you come across, thx.

-BeniBacon

Benjamin Thompson -

The only thing I don't like about mine is that sometimes when I turn it on, it emits an insanely loud whistle noise that feels like it's going to pierce my ear drums. I thought cleaning it with contact cleaner would fix that, but it didn't. I wish I knew what was causing it, because it makes me afraid to turn it on!

When it doesn't do that whistling noise though, man this is the best sounding iPod stereo I've ever heard!

Casey Friday -

SMD capacitor problem, somewhere on that board

DONALD DiNaro - 12/06/19

Well, I haven't been able to figure out why I get the loud feedback noise when I turn this on occasionally, so I went ahead and upgraded to a Kicker iK501. Very similar to the iM7, and although I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for the iM7, the Kicker is a very, very nice 30-pin iPod dock.

Casey Friday -

Well, I ordered a sample from the company that provides the clip for the door, and you simply have to pull the broken door latch out with some pliers, then push the new one in, and your door works just like it's new! The name of the company is Richco, a part of Essentra Components, and the part number is DL-1X. They shipped two of them to me for free. Awesome!

Casey Friday -

Any advice about how to get the door latch out? I presume I have to grab it by the base, rather than by the actual clip, but I can't get a good grip on it with the needle-nosed pliers

(It'd be easier if I could get the iPod door off, but that seems to be a lot more work...)

Christopher Allen -

I was able to get a relatively good grip with needle nose pliers, without taking anything apart. You just have to gently pull it out, and it'll pop right out.

Casey Friday - 04/06/14

I used to connect it to my my iphone but a while back it sounded like a fuse popped and since then it doesn´t play any music. What to do?

abswe - 08/05/14

2 questions:

- where can I order replacement remote control? Altec Lansing support for Legacy products is non-existent and the resellers on eBay look questionable.

- what is the part number for the left end speaker (looking from the front). Mine is blown and needs to be replaced not certain if it's the sub.

Christian Overgaard - 04/06/14

Christian,

I have seen used OEM remotes on eBay ~20USD and aftermarket replacement remotes for ~30USD on eBay and @ Newegg.

On your speakers, if there is no/very little bass (and this unit can put out a lot of bass!) your "sub" is out. Either way, there should be a part number on the magnet of the speaker that can get you started. This eBay listing might help:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Altec-Lansing-Im... .

Good Hunting!

-R

RexMonroe - 16/07/14

Hi. Thanks for this useful tut. Any advice on how to clean the metal grids from food, drink stains etc? Alcohol does not work. Also, can the front grid be removed for cleaning?

Eddief - 27/09/14

I love my IM7's and even after more than 8 years they really sound so good. Anyway, occasionally they're playing up. I turn them on, the blue light is on, but no sound. Normally there is a second or two delay after turning them on. Then like a bassy thud that indicates they're on. Not hearing that thud means I'll get no sound. The volume buttons aren't really working. But it's always on full volume as default when it is alive. Any ideas??

Josh - 08/10/14

All of the sudden mine is emitting loud static and popping sounds. I cleaned all of the cables, but it is still happening. I believe it has to do with the power input. Can the transformer go bad?

Brad - 23/10/15

I cannot twist the side subwoofer grill counter from case. Who can help me???

James guo - 25/02/16

We have had our IM7 for quite awhile and like others love it. It has now developed a problem. When I turn it on the music will play for a short time a minute or so and then the unit shuts down. I can remove the I Pod and try to turn the IM on and it will not power up. Any suggestions?

HBEAR - 11/03/16

my unit is no longer powering on for some reason. Either with batteries or AC power. Does anyone have a possible solution for this?

nycfilmpro - 22/03/16

Same problems for me, blue light turns on for a sec then nothing. This may be the solution but this is another model and I can't find the equivalent DIP switch: https://youtu.be/i3L4JHM_GcQ

snytron - 17/01/17

My too, can somebody help me

Yudh - 03/07/19

First off, I've got to say that this is the best speaker that I have EVER had!! I love it!! I've been noticing for some time now that one of the speakers or something on the front right side make a slight static/rattling noise with certain frequencies (certain songs) like with the higher mid sounds. I used my phone light to shine through the grill, and there is a weird box thing above the middle size speaker on the front. Is this what is making the sound? Should I tighten anything down on the inside or what? Any answer will help, cuz I really want to fix it, THIS THING ROCKS!! Thank you!

Joshua Tucker - 18/07/16

Hi there. Question. It seems my right side speaker is going out. Not the sun but the speaker to the right of the dock. I've taken it entirely apart and and it vibrates and has a tiny bit of noise but that's it. Really noticeable that sound I still only coming from the left speaker. When it's on but not playing anything it has that sssshhhhh sound but not to loud. Only had it for a few weeks, Goodwill for $7!, and it thumped but now it seems that speaker is blown. There are no loose wires or bad connections. Please help!

Aaron - 24/11/16

On Step 3, this is not correct. It is NOT just twisting off to remove the side panels, you may have to pry it off. First remove the screw holding the white hook thing. On the very edge of the black plastic part, there are 4 plastic rectangular tabs where the side panels are GLUED. One tab is straight across from the hook thing, the other two are exactly on each side. Lift the side panel up from the white hook part, then just use a flat screwdriver and push as far as you can, starting with the side tabs and pry it slowly as you go around the circle. Stay on the edge and be careful not to poke your subwoofers. ...Love these speakers!!

Thanh Tran - 19/12/16

Hmmmmm. Need a new plastic door catch for my beloved IM7. I live in the UK. Searching around, it looks as if the company now providing these is called Digi-Key electronics, a US company. I've just been in touch with them and requested a sample but they tell me it is a non-stock item and I need to order 500 of them at the princely sum of 375 USD!! Lol. Don't think so. As it happens, the dock itself still works fine even if the door won't close but I'd like to fix it if it's possible. Anyone think of a way round this?

Dodgy Geezah - 15/03/17

Continued my search. These latches are the same ones as those used on computer cases etc. Standard size DL-1. No longer produced by Richco. Found some on ebay but could only buy a pack of 11. However they are exactly right and fit perfectly. As stated in previous posts the old ones just pull out and the new ones push in. Therefore I have a few too many so if anyone still wants one I'll post one to you for £2.50. Drop me an email to dodgygeezah@blueyonder.co.uk. Cheers.

Dodgy Geezah - 17/03/17

Does anyone know how to do step 7, I have taken off the glue and everything but it won't come off.

V Stmarie - 02/09/17

I also would like a solution to the audio not working from the aux jack. When I turn the speakers on I am able to hear some noise indicating that they are live but when I plug my phone into the aux jack nothing comes out. Help PLS.

V Stmarie - 02/09/17

Step 6 is proving impossible without breaking the rear plastic piece. I got the unit refurbished and it looks like the person that refurbed it glued the piece to the rear housing.

Chris Tran - 22/09/17

When i turn my IM7 on though it turns on alright but it does not play when i mount my Iphone or connect a wire pin to the Aux, all it gives me is the ssshhhhhh sound and nothing else, volume controls are working perfectly, any ideas please, i dont want to lose it .

Terri Bishop - 19/11/17

I’m unable to complete step 4 where it says to “pull the rear panel off” the lower

part is coming but up near the handle is clearly held in place. If I pry it sure seems

like it will crack. Any tips?

miscpubacnt - 14/06/18

I have same problem stuck at step 4. there is something missing in procedure step!

DONALD DiNaro - 12/06/19

I connected mine to our tv and use it like a “sound bar”. Is it ok that we keep it on constantly “on” even when we turn our tv off? It’s a little inconvenient to have to get out of bed just to turn it off.

Franco - 07/12/18

Found your post after noticing my door no longer shut. Followed your advise and ordered a replacement latch. 2 days later I have a fully functioning door again. Thank you. Chuffed to bits to keep this thing going. Always loved the well balanced sound and really decent bass. Again, thanks for the info. Even a good few years later it’s come in useful.

damofinn - 02/10/19

My iM7 has been on hundreds wood flooring job sites of since originally purchased at Costco about a decade ago. With over 80 gigs of music on the iPod to choose from it sounds like we’re at a club when this baby gets cranked up! Yes, I’m starting to repair speakers, latches, and AC adapters but that’s all part of the fun right? What a great piece of equipment!

Eric

Eric Bateman - 03/03/20

Hi are you still there? I have got up to step 7 but can’t figure out how the back panel detaches to reveal the circuitry. It just seems solid. Where does it attach?

Julian Edmonds - 12/04/20

UPDATE - I have found one location where the join between the front and back casing seems to give way - on the inside of the battery compartment. But having tried to widen the gap with various flat bladed screwdrivers and a wood chisel all I have is a series of unsightly scratches which I do NOT want to repeat anywhere which is visible when the thing is put back together. Does anyone have any tips on how to “pry” plastic parts without damaging them, and are there any specific tools I should buy first?

Julian Edmonds - 13/04/20

My unit will no longer work with the AC plug. Anyone have any advice on how to fix that?

yowoody - 30/04/20

Great guide - our Restarters group have been asked to swap around components on a couple of these units; one has a damaged door the other works but the on/off and vol controls are very slow.

Step 6 - would not work for me with either unit, finally got past it with one unit; had to use a hair dryer to heat up the lift off piece then use brute force to pull it out of the ‘groove’ it sits in, was definitely glued in place.

Step 7 - remember to release the screws which hold the bass drivers in place along with the six screws which hold the rear of the plastic body in place.

Now have to figure out swapping out the top button assembly.

Joe

Joe Fernand - 02/08/20

I am facing an issue with Step 7: I released all screws (visible) but even with force I cannot open the backside.

Any idea? Maybe it is glued?

Feedback much appreciated…I need to fix the Current Input, its not starting anymore.

Thorsten Wagner -

My im7 do power on but I can't play music

Uche Patrick -