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 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 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
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 is badly connected (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 9:00pm on 15th February 2010
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