Another Fluke DMM problem.

[samer0214]

My Fluke 11 is giving erroneous AC & DC voltage readings on the high side by about 70%!! AC voltages such as 120 (taken at an outlet) are reading at 205v, and DC voltages that should be 8.4 volts are measuring at 14.50 (70% over)!

I called Fluke and they said the meter is shot and suggested a replacement with a core exchange. Needless to say it was too expensive, and I would rather try to repair it myself if it is repairable. I downloaded the service manual and hopefully with this forum's help, I can repair it.

Any ideas as to what could be wrong? What should I be checking? Please let me know.

[Francec]

As I understand it, Flukes are, largely, based on very big ICs so the advice may well be correct. I would like to be proven wrong being an owner of a Fluke DMM but I doubt it.

[Tony]

did you replace the battery yet?

[KatieandDad]

It's a long shot but try cleaning the switch contacts.

[samer0214]

As I understand it, Flukes are, largely, based on very big ICs so the advice may well be correct. I would like to be proven wrong being an owner of a Fluke DMM but I doubt it.

And you would be right. The Service Manual lists two of them, but lists the P/N for only one of the two, so I assume it is the only one that is replaceable. I will open it up tomorrow and check.

Originally Posted by Tony

did you replace the battery yet?

I haven't, but as a matter of fact, the low battery indicator is on. Could the problem be so simple as to only require a battery change? I'll let you know if that solves it.

[KatieandDad]

You can buy a new Fluke on E-Bay for less than the cost of the IC. As it will need calibrating afterwards its hardly worth repairing it.

[samer0214]

I couldn't go to sleep after I read the post about swapping the battery out (it's after 2:00 AM on the West Coast), so I changed it, and that took care of the problem! Thanks Tony!

How could the Fluke tech I spoke with on the phone not ask me about something like this? Their 1st and only answer was that the DMM had gone bad and needed to be replaced. Simply amazing!

BTW, neither of the ICs is serviceable/replaceable. They are big, and they are soldered to the board. So much for that idea.

[KatieandDad]

SUCCESSFUL RESULT - That is the aim of the game.

[Tony]

I haven't, but as a matter of fact, the low battery indicator is on. Could the problem be so simple as to only require a battery change? I'll let you know if that solves it.

i have other dmm's that exhibit this symptoms when battery is low....battery is nominally 9 volts, at 7 volts these symptoms appear....

i also has this problem with some segments on the lcd not lit......solution is to clean the contacts with cotton buds dipped in rubbing alcohol, both pads and lcd contacts.....in case you encounter this problem....