Linksys WRT54GS bad caps ?

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
  • mouskouyouss
    New Member
    • Mar 2011
    • 3
    #1

    Linksys WRT54GS bad caps ?

    Hi,

    I have a WRT54GS router showing signs of failure, and I'm wondering if it could be a bad cap...
    The symptoms I have are:
    - The Wifi signals disappears few minutes after the boot.
    - The router makes a strange buzz noise (it sounds like an old fan full of dust)

    Looking closely the board, I didn't notice anything obvious, but one of the two caps could be a little bulged.
    Moreover the sound seems to come from there.

    The "failing cap" is HERMEI 220uF 25V 105°C HT
    diameter: 8mm
    Lead space: 3.5 mm

    Can you confirm it is a bad cap problem ?
    and if so, which cap should I order for replacement ?

    I'm currently in Switzerland so if you could also point me to a good and cheap reseller, it would be great.

    Thanks.
    Tags: None
    • bp1
      Member
      • Jul 2010
      • 46
      #2
      Re: Linksys WRT54GS bad caps ?

      Originally posted by mouskouyouss
      Hi,

      I have a WRT54GS router showing signs of failure, and I'm wondering if it could be a bad cap...
      The symptoms I have are:
      - The Wifi signals disappears few minutes after the boot.
      - The router makes a strange buzz noise (it sounds like an old fan full of dust)

      Looking closely the board, I didn't notice anything obvious, but one of the two caps could be a little bulged.
      Moreover the sound seems to come from there.

      The "failing cap" is HERMEI 220uF 25V 105°C HT
      diameter: 8mm
      Lead space: 3.5 mm

      Can you confirm it is a bad cap problem ?
      and if so, which cap should I order for replacement ?

      I'm currently in Switzerland so if you could also point me to a good and cheap reseller, it would be great.

      Thanks.
      We have installed hundreds of these routers in the past and they are usually pretty good. Has your problems occured just recently?

      The wireless problem could be interference. You could try a different wireless channel to see if this is the cause.

      The only time we have seen bad caps on these units is when the psu is starting to fail. Ours were the brick type 12v 1.5A brick type psu. When the smoothing cap fails on these it eventually damages the router.

      If the cap in the router is bulging i would get that replaced and then also get your PSU checked or replaced.

      I am sure one of the regulars will come along to advise further

      Kind Regards
      bp1

        Comment

        • Toasty
          Badcaps Legend
          • Jul 2007
          • 4171
          #3
          Re: Linksys WRT54GS bad caps ?

          Use a Panasonic FM series cap, if you need to replace them.
          Mouser: 667-EEU-FM1E221

          A very common issue with these routers. It seems like the best bet to get them to stop doing this is to update the firmware & the OS. I bricked mine, so do be careful if you try it. There are several sites out there that deal with these and firmware updates. The best I've found is:
          http://www.dd-wrt.com/

          VERY comprehensive ---> but you must take your time and read carefully.

          Things to know going in-
          What VERSION of the router do you have?
          What CHIP does the router use? (you have to open it)

          Sometimes a hard reset will fix the issue -BUT- you have to be aware of the version of the router. Some will brick, even if you do the hard reset correctly.

          Toast
          veritas odium parit

            Comment

            • mouskouyouss
              New Member
              • Mar 2011
              • 3
              #4
              Re: Linksys WRT54GS bad caps ?

              The router was already running the dd-wrt firmware for several years.

              and it only failed recently, with this strange noise as it gets warm.

              the mouser site seems pretty exhaustive, but the delivery cost to Switzerland are way to high !

              thanks anyway.

                Comment

                • Th3_uN1Qu3
                  Believe in
                  • Jul 2010
                  • 6031
                  • Romania
                  #5
                  Re: Linksys WRT54GS bad caps ?

                  I'm sure you can find a local parts distributor. Popular here in Romania (and AFAIK in most of Europe) are Farnell and TME.
                  Originally posted by PeteS in CA
                  Remember that by the time consequences of a short-sighted decision are experienced, the idiot who made the bad decision may have already been promoted or moved on to a better job at another company.
                  A working TV? How boring!

                    Comment

                    • Topcat
                      The Boss Stooge
                      • Oct 2003
                      • 16958
                      • United States
                      #6
                      Re: Linksys WRT54GS bad caps ?

                      Originally posted by mouskouyouss
                      The router was already running the dd-wrt firmware for several years.

                      and it only failed recently, with this strange noise as it gets warm.

                      the mouser site seems pretty exhaustive, but the delivery cost to Switzerland are way to high !

                      thanks anyway.
                      https://www.badcaps.net/store/produc...roducts_id=100

                      That will work fine. used it in plenty of routers and access points.
                      <--- Badcaps.net Founder

                      Badcaps.net Services:

                      Motherboard Repair Services
                      ----------------------------------------------
                      Badcaps.net Forum Members Folding Team
                      http://folding.stanford.edu/
                      Team : 49813
                      Join in!!
                      Team Stats

                        Comment

                        • mouskouyouss
                          New Member
                          • Mar 2011
                          • 3
                          #7
                          Re: Linksys WRT54GS bad caps ?

                          I should have check the shop here, 8$ for international delivery is much more reasonable. I might go this way, then...

                          Otherwise, searching the forum, I read that one could use cap with different characteristics, what is the rule of thumb here ?
                          Can we use cap with greater uF ?
                          and what about the degree °C tolerance, is 85°C ok ?

                          If there is already a thread about this topic, a pointer would be greatly appreciated...

                          Thanks.

                            Comment

                            • Uranium-235
                              Comrade Glimmer
                              • Aug 2007
                              • 5042
                              • US
                              #8
                              Re: Linksys WRT54GS bad caps ?

                              higher voltage (within reason) is ok (16v for 6.3 is ok)

                              try to match the capacitance as much as you can, but don't go too high, and don't go ANY lower

                              same or higher heat tolorence
                              Cap Datasheet Depot: http://www.paullinebarger.net/DS/
                              ^If you have datasheets not listed PM me

                                Comment

                                • kc8adu
                                  Super Moderator
                                  • Nov 2003
                                  • 8832
                                  • U.S.A!
                                  #9
                                  Re: Linksys WRT54GS bad caps ?

                                  https://www.badcaps.net/store/produc...products_id=78
                                  +12 input cap.
                                  https://www.badcaps.net/store/produc...products_id=79
                                  +3.3 vrm output.
                                  do the brick too if its one of those lightweight bathtub things.
                                  this is a time tested recipie here.
                                  ddwrt or tomato is the final step.follow instructions to the letter though.but even if you brick it it can be recovered.
                                  most bricked routers are the result of trying to flash it while it is sick from bad caps.the rest from stupidity.

                                    Comment

                                    • Scenic
                                      o.O
                                      • Sep 2007
                                      • 2642
                                      • Germany
                                      #10
                                      Re: Linksys WRT54GS bad caps ?

                                      another alternative (in switzerland at least)

                                      12V in
                                      http://cgi.ebay.ch/260753116784
                                      3,3V out
                                      http://cgi.ebay.ch/260753124940

                                      or if you can fit them in there
                                      http://cgi.ebay.ch/260749668754

                                        Comment

                                        Previous template Next

                                        Related Topics

                                        Collapse
                                        • momaka
                                          Seasonic B12 BC-550 – barely 2 years old and with BAD CAPS already!
                                          by momaka
                                          I know I've been a little scarce lately (like the last 2-3 years), but I'm still here and still doing my thing with fixing PSUs.

                                          For today's considerations, I have a Seasonic B12 BC-550 [A551bcafh] 550 Watt ATX power supply for you (click on links for full size images).

                                          https://www.badcaps.net/filedata/fetch?id=3591771


                                          https://www.badcaps.net/filedata/fetch?id=3591772

                                          It's a modern ATX unit with fixed (non-modular) cables and an 80-plus bronze certificate. Here's the label:

                                          https://www.badcaps.net/filedata/fetch?id=359177...
                                          03-12-2025, 03:42 PM
                                        • eryjus
                                          Heathkit IO-4205 Power Supply Caps
                                          by eryjus
                                          Hello,

                                          First, I am a complete noob with high voltage stuff. I'm learning, but I need help by someone looking over my shoulder.

                                          I recently came into posession of a Heathkit IO-4205 5MHz Dual Trace Oscilloscope. The documentation is copyright 1978. I'm told it works.

                                          I opened it up to check the caps before I applied power, and found the following black caps and wanted to know what they were. They are on the power supply board. I was able to read the name and model and came up with, "Nytronics 162J-1, 0.1uF, 20% tolerance, 2000VDC."
                                          ...
                                          05-10-2023, 11:21 AM
                                        • Paxman_Swede
                                          Identifying caps on an old Zoom 9000
                                          by Paxman_Swede
                                          Hello!

                                          I have two projects on my work bench. One is a friends dead JBL Xtreme speaker with a blown voltage regulator and corresponding bulged and shorted cap. That cap has clear markings so I know what replacement I need for it.

                                          The other project however is a whole different deal. It's a Zoom 9000 guitar effect from the 90th that has developed a devil hound howl when there is no input from the guitar. I'm guessing caps problem. So, since I don't really use this effect anymore I thought it would be a perfect project to learn on.

                                          I have studied the board and...
                                          01-14-2025, 09:51 AM
                                        • double_DD
                                          Why does my ISP router hate my "homemade" power supply??
                                          by double_DD
                                          Hi all,

                                          It's gonna be a long intro, so please buckle in, as it's a problem that's been bugging me for several days now. Thanks in advance.

                                          So, I have 2 modems/routers, whatever the proper nomenclature is, one from ISP and one mine. I want to power them via USB-C rather then their original mains adapters (for reasons, that are hard to explain to sane people). Both routers come with 12V/3A mains adapters.
                                          For this purpose I acquired USB-C charger with 250W and 5 ports, 2 of which can supply max 20V/3A. Since 12V isn't a standard PD voltage option (and to future proof,...
                                          07-12-2025, 03:09 AM
                                        • captain150
                                          Help with switching power supply caps
                                          by captain150
                                          I'm trying to repair two old VCRs, they both have bad caps. One has leaky ones, the other would barely run until I subbed in some caps from another power supply I had laying around (though they are the wrong values). This vcr works for an hour or two, but then the power supply starts whining and the picture gets lines in it. I didn't replace all the secondary caps, so another voltage might still be problematic, or the values I used are too far off.
                                          I've been on mouser and digikey but the options are a bit overwhelming. I just need some new ones that will work. They don't need to be top quality,...
                                          03-16-2025, 07:34 PM
                                        • Loading...
                                        • No more items.
                                        Working...