Debugging Mk4 (Mk IV) GHDs

 This page should help find most problems with Mk4 GHD models including 4.0B, 4.1B, 4.2B, SS4.0 etc.

Completely dead - no light, no beep, nothing

There are a few possible causes:

• The R8 resistor (R8 or R11 on 4.2B/P models) has gone open circuit - see this page
• The heater on the thermistor side has failed causing the thermal fuse to trip - see this page.
• The thermistor has come detached from the heater element (and so is not measuring the temperature correctly) and this has caused the thermal fuse to trip - see this page.
• The cable has failed - see this page
• The cable socket has failed (mainly on certain GHD 4.2 models) - see cables section of this page. Check the contacts are making contact with the central pin and bend them slightly if they are not.

Beep and the light comes on, but they do not heat up

•  Both heater elements have failed - see this page

Beep Continuously and do not heat up

• They are too cold (below 5 degress C) - let them warm up gradually and try again.
• The thermistor is broken or badly soldered - see this page

Beep during use

There is an intermittent connection which is causing them to momentarily power off and therefore repeatedly make the power on beep.

• Check the cable for damage.
• Check the cable socket is making a good connection to the cable.

Only one plate heats up

• The heater element on the thermal fuse side has failed - see this page

Overheating

• The heater on the thermistor side has failed but the thermal fuse has not tripped yet - see this page
• The thermistor has come "unglued" from the heater element and is not measuring the temperature correctly.
• The thermistor is badly soldered (never seen this myself)
• The triac has gone short causing the heaters to be on all the time (never seen this myself)

Buzzing / Humming / Sparking noise

This noise means that electricity is arcing somewhere in the straighteners. This is bad and you should stop using them immediately!

• Cable is failing (normally inside the strain relief) - see this page
• (Certain GHD 4.2 models only) - Cable socket pins are bent and not making a good contact. See cables section of this page.

Some other set of Symptoms not covered above

• Are you sure they are genuine GHDs? If you are, then send us an email.

 

This page was last updated at 11:10pm on 12th July 2010

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