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My CE-2 won't power on and it's freaking me right out.
I unplugged it from it's power supply to be moved to another board.
When plugged in again, nothing. I've tried three different power supplies and the battery clip.

Can anyone direct me to a resource for busted Boss pedals?
This is a major bummer.

Do you get clean signal or just no chorus? Is there anything burnt out on the board? Check the power rails and If you don't have access to an oscilloscope you can audio probe the circuit just by checking the signal flow until you find a fault. (an audio probe is just a patch cable with one end stripped and a cap soldered on the tip and the GND wire going to GND the other end is plugged into your amp and so you can hear the signal at that point).

Sounds like the power jack is busted or maybe the solder joint has come loose. I had a DOD pedal do that. The plastic housing cracked and it wouldn't work at all because the battery power goes through the jack. Make sure you have a cable plugged into the input and no power supply connected to try it on battery power. The ground for the battery is made through the input jack and the positive battery connection is disconnected when you have a power supply plugged in.

I'd say if you get clean signal, it's probably the switch. If you get nothing, it's probably the power jack. There are other possibilities, of course, like the power supply was all "FUCK YOUR PEDAL" or something, but I'd put my (small amount of) money on the jack or switch.

Also, I can't remember if the power supply on Boss pedals disconnects when you unplug them, but if it does, one of the 1/4" jacks might have gone out.

I am still getting clean signal, which is what threw me since I assumed no power=no buffer=no bypass.
So I guess it's the switch. Can I get that jank replaced or should I maybe get it drasp'd?

It could be the actuator mechanism going to the switch too. Most mass produced pedals use a small tactile switch and the pedal you actually press simply touches that switch with a small piece of rubber or something. I've seen a couple of different methods, but I've never looked at a Boss pedal as I've never really cared for or owned one other than the RC20XL. If I can find an allen key to fit the bolts I'll take a look so maybe I can tell you what exactly to look for.



edit


okay so on the 20xl there's really nothing more than what looks like a pencil eraser glued into the pedal lever end and the tact switch is easily accessible with just your finger.

http://www.smallbearelec.com/servlet/Detail?no=36

They're really easy to pop out and replace. It's two wires, yo!

DannDubbleEwe wrote:http://www.smallbearelec.com/servlet/Detail?no=36

They're really easy to pop out and replace. It's two wires, yo!

Gonna give this a shot. Thanks!

Well, I replaced the switch (I guess successfully), but I'm still getting nothing.
I get signal through the pedal, but no light and no effect.

Sorry I got here so late, sounds like the switching mechanism itself has failed, not uncommon, so you're still getting power, just it's not turning on the LED and signal like it should, those tactiles are pretty sturdy.

Do you have a multimeter and can you trace through the board from a schematic? There's 4 transistors to check.

Nah, I have neither a multimeter nor the knowledge of how to trace.

I can trace it from photos and you can try replacing the transistors... no guarantee without voltages though.

I'd offer to take a look but guessing you're not in to international postage... I'll see if I can find you someone who can take care of it closer to home if you want.

http://www.hobby-hour.com/electronics/s/boss-ce2-chorus-schematic.php Q6 and Q7 create the flip flop and Q3 is the bypass.

Dr Satan wrote:http://www.hobby-hour.com/electronics/s/boss-ce2-chorus-schematic.php Q6 and Q7 create the flip flop and Q3 is the bypass.

Q3 is a filter, Q9 is bypass.

Guessing as the LED isn't coming on but clean signal is passing it's Q6 and/or 7 that have failed.