Fluke 289 Repair Leads connected incorrectly

Fluke 289 multi-meters seem to be prone to problems with the test lead detection system. I have repaired 3 meters so far. The simple system consists of an infrared LED that flashes, and the flashes are detected by sensors on either of the current measurement jacks. If one of the jacks has a test lead plugged in, the IR LED signal is blocked and the meter registers that a lead is present in the current measuring jack. If the meter is set to measure something other than current (ie, voltage) then it will give the error that the leads are not connected incorrectly. In this video I show a meter that gives the error that leads are not connected correctly, even though there are no leads present. The meter "thinks" that there is a lead in the current measure jack, meaning it does not see the IR LED signal. Previously, this was because the LED had come off of the circuit board, however in this meter, the error was exasperated in a bright IR environment, like sunlight. I am not sure exactly why this meter behaved this way, however simply melting the solder (reflow) on the two pads that connect one of the IR sensors fixed the problem. After this video I went back and reflowed the pads for the LED and the 2nd sensor.

[@omerosman6651]

Thank you so much for your informative video. My Fluke 289 meter had the same diode you mentioned come off. luckily, I found it inside the unit and was able to solder it back on the board, the meter is now working fine.

[@jeppler3]

Thanks a bunch dude! My LED had come off and was stuck to the bottom of the clear plastic where the leads plug in. I would have never seen it (very tiny) or known what to fix if you didn't make this video. Gotta love a free repair!

[@bartomiejkaminski3139]

Hi. I have the same problem with my 289. I was looking for possible reason and I found your video. Thanks. And best regards.

[@cgmwoodworx]

Good to know that error drives me nuts.

[@alfredo4310]

Hola, soy de Chile y quisiera saber si solo se requiere puentear el sensor derecho o también el izquierdo, yo realice un puente en ambos sensores, pero ahora el instrumento me descarga las pilas, aunque no lo utilice.... agradecería muchísimo si puede responder a mi consulta... saludos cordiales

[@amindavid11]

l no "puenteo" nada, lo que hizo fue resoldar el sensor como va

[@kregerstainer]

I have a bad super cap(leaking) what is its model and specs

[@nejdetsungur715]

Thank you so much

[@abrarahmed3268]

Disply not working

[@michaelakmotrikova6356]

I just bought a fluke 289. I am horrified what a piece of crap!!! Without the backlight on, the display is unreadable and dark. Even with the lighting on and the contrast set to maximum, the display is blurry and bad! I must be an idiot for buying this junk.