An ex spilled some cola in my car and some got inside the cd/radio. Since then, the push buttons on the radio only work 10% of the time. 90% of the time the buttons do not respond. It's a radio/CD player I cannot change stations at will, and am afraid to put CD in it (the eject buttons also only work 10% of the time).
I removed the radio, separated the faceplate -- that's where I believe the soda was splashed. Sure enough I see droplets of dried soda. I dip the faceplate/buttons in water in an ultrasonic cleaner, taking care not to dip the LCD portion.
Then I let the faceplate air dry for a few days. Then put it all back into the car. Then, the buttons work perfectly again.
BUT, after a few days, the buttons return to the 90% not responding symdrome.
I repeated this cleaning procedure twice. Each time the same end results. Anyone wants to theorize what may be happening?
Now I have another idea: instead of water, dip the faceplate in denature alcohol -- that is what some people do to treat cellphones dropped in water.
My only concern is, since alcohol is a solvent, could it dissolve some components in the faceplate? Any suggestions on what electronic components may be damaged by alchohol? If I only soak it for a short time (e.g. 30 sec), there should not be enough time to dissolve anything, right? I'm willing to take some risk because a 10% radio/CD is very frustrating.