PRO-2053 Display Fading

[Weps]

Howdy!

I have a Radioshack PRO-2053 I was given last year and the display has faded to the point that it can no longer be read. Now granted, it's dated, but is it possible to replace the LCD display with a similar off-the-shelf display with the same amount of display format?

Thanks!

 

[kruser]

If you are handy, it's very likely the ribbon cable that feeds the LCD display module just needs to be reseated at its connector.
You need to be careful though as some of the ribbon cable connectors are tricky to open and release the cable. And some don't open, they just use a friction fit for the ribbon cable.
Perhaps someone will come along and advise what type of connector is used in the 2053.

I have an old Pro-96 portable that the display does the same thing. Re-seating the ribbon cable in it fixes it for a few months but eventually the display starts fading again and I must reseat it again.
The last time I did this, I put a small piece of scotch tape on the non contact side of the ribbon cable to make the cable a thousand's of an inch or so thicker. That was a year ago now and the display has not faded again.

 

[gmclam]

I've found the issue is rarely the LCD itself. The connections to it, and "contrast voltage" are more likely to blame. You should also try adjusting the contrast (it's done via the keypad) to maximize viewing.

 

[Weps]

Fiddled with the ribbon cable and I could see character values again but still a bit faded, so adjusted the contrast and it's almost perfect, just two character slots with slight fading.

Thanks for the advice, electronics UI is out of my technical expertise so I was feeling a bit underwater.