Repairing PS2 Phat's drive

Repairing PS2 Phat's drive (not ejecting properly)

So I brought an old PS2 with the intent of mod chipping it. It was listed as the drive not working, and I think I know why: the drive won't open. However, it will open and close no problem, so long as the little magnetic thing on the plastic on the top of the drive is removed. Is the drive worn out and even this little magnet is too much for it? I've also noticed the drive functions normally if there's a game in the drive at the time.

 

Have seen this on an XBOX drive. If the screws are done up tight, it doesn't spin. Back the screw's off a smidge and it is ok again. Probably not the best but it works ok.

 

I've tried not even screwing it in (I'm talking about that plastic bit with the magnet in it that forms the top cover of the disk drive), and the problem still exists

*EDIT* I forgot to clarify, I'm talking about ejecting the drive, it won't eject if the magnet is in place, but will if it's removed.

 

The drive tray (I actually mean the lens unit) is maybe set too high?
If it is, I think that the lens unit thus prevents the tray from ejecting.
Try to lower it by turning the plastic gog(s) at the back or loosening its little screw(s) a bit and lowering the lens unit...?

I could be wrong here... PS2 has what, about 9 different internal hardware model combinations?

EDIT:
REMEMBER how many turns you have altered the unit for reversal, as the lens/laser might be calibrated totally off now!

 

Hmmm, I don't think it would be that, I would expect to hear some grinding sounds if the tray was bumping into the laser assembly. Adjusting the laser is kinda drastic, I'd like to leave that as the last option

I've made a discovery, the drive opens and closes perfectly fine if there's a disk in the drive at the time. Take it out, and close the drive, and that bad boy won't open.

 

i fixed a ps2 drive problem recently although different from yours. the fat ps2 drive is just a pain in the ass its the fussiest drive mechanically speaking i've ever come across, overly complicated mechanism and poorly designed. in my opinion anyway lol and theres different drive models with subtle differences.

i'd take the whole thing apart drive tray cogs and all then put it back together making sure all the parts line up and are set right. and that someone trying to fix the drive before hasnt put a part from a different ps2 drive in it.

there should be a white plastic bit at the front of the drive that raises and lowers the laser assembly when the drive is ejected and closed, make sure this has a full range of motion left to right and the nobbly bit is in the track on the bottom of the disc tray correctly.

i had to trim down a white plasticy bit from a different model ps2, it fitted in without trimming but didnt do the full range of motion until i trimmed it.

 

The inside is really really really REALLY dirty, it's probably the worst I've ever seen! I woulden't be surprised if dirt was the problem! The console's warrenty sticker was still intact (I voided that sucka LIKE A BOSS!), so it would definitely be stock.

Yep, the white thing moves no problem, and it's in the groove.

I'm still suspicious that the drive functions perfectly fine when I take the magnet out, or if there's a disk in the drive. Are there any known issues with either the magnet or the motor that drives the laser assembly?

 

a good clean may be needed then lol

all the magnet does is hold the disc in place while its spinning, theres nothing really there for it to catch on or mess with. unless perhaps without a disc in the laser assembly is too high to let the tray eject?

i dont know if theres any known issues with the motor or magnet, i know there can be issues with the arms that lift the laser assy

if you have the ps2 in a virtical position or upside down does it do the same?

good clean wouldnt hurt, im all outta ideas, i dont know if theres any sensors in the drive.

 

If you find a reliable fix for this let me know. This only seems to happen to units with the rod mount tray (version 0-3 possibly 4 as well) I have 2 of them that have this problem, until then my debug is my main PS2
Edit: I'll experiment later on mine.
Edit2: I found the problem on mine, the early drives used a brass pulley mounted on the motor, seems the belt is prone to slipping, the later models used a plastic pulley that doesn't slip as easily, I suspect the change was done on version 5 when the tray load cable was unified, v0-4 drives share most of their design features save for the logic board (variations for v0 v1/2 and v3 missing on V4) and the tilt adjustment (motorized on v1/2).

I fixed it by washing the belt and the large plastic pulley is some soap and water.

 

Oooh, thanks for the tip! That sounds about right, if the belt is dirty and slippery, then it may not be able to overcome the force applied by the magnet.

Anyway, I've just brought a new PS2, found this one wasn't the right model and it's insides are actually rusty and sticky in places (I suspect Coke was split on it) so I'm abandoning this one. Thanks for all your help so far guys, if I get another PS2 with the same issue, I'll have a few things to try out on it!

 

I decided to try and fix the broken PS2 for a friend. After cleaning the gears and drive belt (you all lied to me! There IS a drive belt in the PS2!) as well as greasing up the gears so they spin more freely, the drive works now! It seems a little slow, and sometimes makes a grinding noise when it's almost closed, but at least it works!

 

who told you there wasnt a drive belt in the ps2??? and did i not say to strip it down n clean it up??? pffff some people.... happy you got it working

 

Earlier in the thread, I seem to recall it being mention that the PS2 doesn't use a drive belt, and I was surprised because modern consoles still use them. On that topic: why? The point of a drive belt is to make a gear turn, why not just connect that gear directly to the motor in that case? No belts to wear out.

And yeah, you did say to pull it apart and clean it, so I did

 

Those gears don't need grease. That grease will probably contaminate the belt requiring another cleaning.

 

They probably use belts to save space and complexity, tray-load drives without belts either use 1 very large gear or use more gears, so it is probably due to gear ratios.

 

Don't worry, I only greased the posts the gears spin on to try and get them turning more easily.

Ah, it's because they're cheap, gotcha

 

The PS2 phat's drive doesn't use a belt it uses a rod with screw type assembly.

Might be the circle the CD rests on isn't level and needs lifting a bit. I had that on my PS2 phat originally, been working fine ever since.

from the thread http://www.made-by-bacteria.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=66 showing what I did a while back:


I then noticed something - the black surround on the motor unit where the disc rests on, was raised in parts and not in others, looked closer, the plastic surround was raised; so pressed it down, and it was flat and even.

(can't upload pic, so here's link)

http://i55.tinypic.com/301g5ee.jpg

 

I swear to God! There's a drive belt in this PS2! It's made of rubber and is stretched over the drive motor and a pulley and everything! I'm not crazy!

 

There are many many models of ps2 (as you know). A blanket statement from someone who's not seen all models is something you should ignore.

People who have not seen all models should start their reply with "as far as I know" or "All the ones I have seen" - pet peeve of mine.

 

What if you just bought a top loading case for 15 bucks? That's probably the easiest fix I can think of.