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Dream Machine model ICF-C218

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Danny255812
Explorer

Dream Machine model ICF-C218

I have had the above clock radio for many years and when the clock started to flash, "AM 1200" I dug out the folded instructions which when first opened but still partially folded had a heading, "Troubleshooting"  stating, "The battery is low.  Replace the battery.  Remove the old battery and install a new one".  I did so but "AM 1200" continued to flash so I looked again at the instructions completely unfolded and realised that there were further instructions about how exactly to replace the battery hidden within the part that was folded when I first looked with a small note at the end, "If you replace, do not disconnect AC plug from AC outlet.  Otherwise, current time and alarm will be initialised"  I don't understand what the second sentence means but clearly failing to leave the AC plug in the outlet had caused my problem.  The correct battery was in a sealed pack with a 2027 good by date.

Can anyone help with how to overcome the problem or does my mistake make the machine unrepairable?

I've had to post under "General chat" as there is no Board under "audio" other than "hi-fi" and "portable"

Danny 

9 REPLIES 9
profile.country.IT.title
Marino.Manolo
Genius

The Note refers to when the Radio shows the low Battery icon, if you replace the Battery by disconnecting the Power then the time is initialised.

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Danny255812
Explorer

Thanks Azionista but I may be a bit thick but I still don't understand what is meant by the clock and time being initialised.  If I look up the definition of initialised it means getting something ready for something to happen but just how does that relate to the situation I find myself in because I can't get anything to happen and am stuck with the flashing message indicating the battery needs replacing.

 

Danny

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Danny255812
Explorer

Sorry, should read clock and alarm.

 

Danny

profile.country.IT.title
Marino.Manolo
Genius

I don't think there is a correlation, the Note refers to a situation in which the low battery symbol is shown. Possible that the problem is another if a Battery replaced you are unable to re-enter the correct time and continues to show what it shows now.

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Danny255812
Explorer

Yes, I agree that the note refers to a situation where the battery needs replacing and is a warning of what will happen if you don't follow the instruction to leave the AC plug in whilst changing the battery.  I just don't understand what the significance/meaning is of the warning and there is no explanation of how to rectify what has taken place by not following the warning.

 

Danny

profile.country.GB.title
SkyNet404
Specialist

And to be honest if that doesn't help, I don't think there something else. The guide doesn't mention. 
So I recommend contact Sony and see if you can still repair it, or if we missed something.

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Danny255812
Explorer

I’m sorry I think part of your reply is missing regarding, “if that doesn’t work”.  What is “that” referring to?

Danny

profile.country.GB.title
SkyNet404
Specialist

I meant if the troubleshooting steps in the manual didn't help you will need to get it inspected. 
I tried to find other methods to fix it, but couldn't find other info but the ones listed in the manual unfortunately. 

profile.country.GB.title
Danny255812
Explorer

Thanks for trying, much appreciated.

 

Danny