How to Fix a Shorted or Broken Electrical Cord

Just a vid showing how I fixed a broken cord on a HoMedics PA-100 Percussion Massager. Shorted or broken wires are the most common problem and a simple fix on lots of household appliances. Most can be fixed rather than throwing them away.

[@madenabennett]

haha!! Last week I gave away a brand new soldering iron in the box, as I’d owned it for ten years without using it. now my amazing back thumping massager cord just went kaput…and what do I need to fix it Dear Liza…Dear Liza. Thank you so much for the video…while the prices have gone down I just cannot bring myself to tossing this stuff into landfills and the ocean. This baby rocks when it works….and I hereby vow to resurrect this beautiful beast….and I’ll be back to drooling in no time (after I borrow the soldering iron of course!)

[@Naturally-Kelly]

LOL always how it goes. I know, we found a newer one at a second hand store for cheap. Bought it and the balls are plastic - not rubber. It lasted 6 months before it broke and was non repairable. We went back to using this one. I swear this one just keeps on going strong year after year. I wish you well on fixing yours.

[@buttermilkbaysoap9416]

Thankyou. My brookstone just stopped working. Easy fix. Thankyou for sharing.

[@philb2334]

I have the same model massager but it's slightly different, where yours has screws in every hole, mine has screws only around the massager head. Seeing your video has helped because I now know that they must have glued it together at the screw points along the handle. No probs, I'll use a small drill & drill them out ready for screws on reassembly.. Thanks

[@sudhir1055]

Great video. One comment, instead of unsoldering at the circuit board, cut wire in handle and soldier, if space will allow in the handle. Regards: Sud PS: one more comment about removing the rubber sleeve on the handle which was not easy to slide and remove. I used a heating pad to heat up the sleeve, it was then very easy to slide out.

[@run4fred]

Great video.... the foam handle was tough to slide off so I used a little silicone spray... worked like a charm.

[@mattmccasland5235]

I so appreciate your making this video. Not just the video, but the video of f specifically the PA-100A. I knew the corneas broken right at the point of entry to the housing. I had been trying for a while to be so very careful with the cord while using the PA-100A and it finally was to the point that I couldn't wiggle, bend, crimp or push in on the cord any lo get it to work any longer. It just simply needed to be fixed! I had tried once before to figure out how to get it to come apart without destroying or breaking it worse than it was already, but could not fir the life of me, figure out what was holding it together at the handle... the screws UNDER THE FOAM CUSHION!! So simple, yet so hard to figure out! Again, Awesome video and great job! Thanks again, stay SAFE and Be Blessed, Matt.

[@paulae6722]

the cord on my Homedics massager frayed after 10 years of use, i hope to repair it & have it another 10 years! thank you for this great tutorial! (a new one on amazon is $240)

[@GM-xh6gj]

There is no HoMedics model like this one for $240 from Amazon unless a private seller was overcharging for it or perhaps a special edition maybe. You were prob looking at the one made by Sharper Image, a more durable version. The HoMedic one is usually below $49.

[@valerieaponteful]

Wow! Great video and sadly about 10 days too late. 😢 I just threw away BOTH my original 30 yr old units! I couldn’t figure out how to open the housing. Did not think to look under the foam handle! 🤦🏻‍♀️ I’ve purchased replacement old models through eBAY and now I’m prepared for whatever they bring. They don’t make them like they used to, so I’m glad there are originals out there still! Thank you!!!

[@Naturally-Kelly]

Thank you Valerie. I have to laugh because my wife told me I should record fixing it and I said, "Who:s going to watch that?" Apparently a few thousand people with the same issue LOL. I wish you all the best with your eBay finds. I did this vid a few years ago now and ours is still purring away :)

[@theeverythingchannel5457]

Thanks for the video! This really helped me fix my hair dryer's cord after it sparked.

[@Naturally-Kelly]

That's awesome. Glad it have you done direction for fixing

[@bulan7393]

I have some problem..after see you video..I would fix my massanger...thank you for you video. God bless u

[@debweb72]

I really appreciate this video and it gives me a good insight as to what I'm getting into. One thing I would change though is to test the repair before I put the whole thing back together. :)

[@cucaytoña]

I fixed right now. it works yeeeiiii. after 1 year of waiting. thanks a lot.

[@carson.studio]

thank you for sharing your video, and I just fixed my PA-100 with exact same problem. Love your guitars; I started to learn fingerstyle, looking forward to see your next video playing and teach some of your favorist songs.

[@Naturally-Kelly]

+Andy V thanks. Our house is quite small. We hung our guitars 'cause they kept getting knocked over...put them in the case and they would never get played. :)

[@abstraddic0442]

Thats a really good back massager, Im about to fix mine right now thanks to you, thank you !

[@robertdiamondoil2384]

I just fixed my massager thank you for this video

[@Soundabite]

Lot of work. But nice seeing someones doing that.

[@nazeirlabanieh2911]

I would like to thank you for this video. It was very helpful and I was able to fix my massager's cord and I would like to ask you what the name of the solder you were using and where can I buy similar one??? Thank you,

[@Naturally-Kelly]

Thank you Nazeir. The solder I used is 60/40 with a rosin core. It's a thin little roll I bought at an electronics shop years ago. Basically any solder made for electronics will work. The thinner the gauge, the easier it is to melt and work with. I would look at hobby electronic parts stores. Anything at a hardware store would be too thick to do a nice job as you'd be fighting with getting enough temperature on it (but it would still work - just not as easy to work with)

[@Temour09]

Hello, I have one of the Brookstone model and I don't know how to open it. the one you showed different model

[@Naturally-Kelly]

Unless it was glued together, EVERYthing can be disassembled - Just have to figure out how and hopefully not crack or break the housing in the process. I wish you well if you decide to pursue fixing yours. You got this!

[@pbweill]

Great video! Thank you. All the best back at ya.

[@philb2334]

Quick update to the above.. I repaired my massager this morning, it took about an hour all up. The screwless holes are actually a plug covering the screw. I drilled through them & pulled them out with a hook shaped pick. My circuit board was also completely different to the video, maybe because mine is 240v rather than 110v, but aside from that the video covers all the necessary to complete the repair. I didn't bother with the heatshrink as that will only transfer the stress point in the cable to somewhere else. The only piece of advice I will add is to allow the hot glue to go off properly before moving it around. Hot glue isn't the best glue in the world & unless it's allowed to cure properly, it won't stick to anything.. Cheers

[@Naturally-Kelly]

Phil B awesome! Glad the vid helped. Can't tell you how many times other peoples vids have helped me figure out repairs. Thanks for adding updated info into the comments on this vid. Ours is quite old so I imagine HoMedics has made some updates to their design over the years.

[@philb2334]

Hi & thanks for the message. My massager is 16 & a half years old & well used. I wonder if it'll last another 16 years until the cable breaks, I got it for Christmas in 2002 Cheers

[@lawpilot8526]

1/3/2021 After you cut out the bad wire, why didn't you just splice the pieces that were left? I mean, instead of un-soldering the piece connected to the circuit board, why not splice its end to the end which has the connector?

[@Naturally-Kelly]

In some repairs, that would be fine, but it's not really an option here as there isn't much room inside the handle. More importantly, there would be no way of securing the splice from pulling out and causing an electrical hazard if someone was yanking on the cord. Splices are fast, cheap patches - With the amount of effort I had to do to get into this massager and at the price for replacement, I wanted to do as professional job as possible. If I was to splice, I would still solder it and seal it in heat shrink - Just as easy to replace it from the board.

[@lawpilot8526]

1/8/2021: Ok, now i understand. And please state the date at the beginning of a video you record. Thank you.

[@ALLENEDMOND]

I can figure out how to do everything that you did but you skipped the hard part for me. How did you get the rubber handle over the plastic wire connection cover between the rubber handle cover and the power cord? Does it just snap on and off? The massager works 90% of the time as is and I don't want to permanently wreck it but I'd like to fix it...THX

[@Naturally-Kelly]

OK, please correct me if I'm reading your comment incorrectly. I think you are talking about the fatigue joint where the cord enters the massager housing at the handle. That black rubber I put over the cord is just a couple of different size pieces of heat shrink used to finish off wire connectors or solder joints in the middle of 2 wires when you are wiring electronics. (See 7:55 into the vid) If that is what you are asking about, it's just thin rubber tubing that comes in various diameters and available at most electrical supply stores or Princess Auto or anywhere they sell automotive lighting stuff. Once you snip off the broken part of the cord, you just slide the heat shrink over the chord before you begin re-soldering. When its ready to reassemble - just slide the heat shrink to the spot where the cord enters the handle and use a heat gun to shrink wrap it down onto the chord - not necessary, but it helps relieve tension at that same spot that failed to begin with so it doesn't happen again.

[@Naturally-Kelly]

A couple of wraps of black electrical tape will do the same thing. Just make sure to wrap tape a little further onto the cord before re-assembly so that the tape actually runs into the handle. This will help reduce fatigue on that joint. If you are talking about removing and re-installing the foam rubber grip - Use both hands and fingernails to get it started on one end. Rolling it over its self worked best for me...but that is a pain in the butt. A little bit of soapy water (1 or 2 drops dish soap in a spray bottle of water helps to slide it back on.

[@rudestboyem]

My son left ours plugged in and now it won't work again. Is there any safety switch or fuse? I replugged it in and all I hear is a buzz. Any idea what happened? It worked great just now nothing happenes when plugged in or do any buttons work. The power indicator is on tho but nothing else works. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you in advance!!

[@Naturally-Kelly]

If you hear a buzz, but the pads don't move, either the gears are jammed that connect the pads to the motor or the motor overheated and the brushes are burned out on the motor. If the brushes are worn, it's probably time for a new massager as the gearing will be quite worn as well by that time. If it's the gearing that is jammed, you can try gently pushing the pads in. First one, then the other and rock them back and forth (like they normally do when working). Try doing that turned off then turn turned on. You may be able to recover it. Caution: If too much force is applied to the balls (pads) you can break or strip the gearing inside. That might already be your problem, but just don't try to force them too hard if you try it.

[@bircw2763]

Can you fix a Magic wand the same way ?

[@Naturally-Kelly]

Most broken cords can be repaired by shortening the cord back to the remaining good wiring. Disassembly and wire attachment is most likely different but similar to this massager in what has to happen.

[@miteshshah8633]

Good morning sir if we have used it direct on 240 v and machine stopped to work how can we make it usable ?

[@jscottcalder]

Thanks. You're cool! Mine's noisy and feels like something is loose in the head so I'm going to open it up and see what can be tightened down. Cheers!

[@Naturally-Kelly]

I'm amazed at how well built the originals are. This vid is a couple years old now and my fix is still thumping away :). I saw their new model on a shelf the other day and it looks like they cheapened everything on them.

[@tedoneilclark4710]

I had one similar to you. After 3yrs it broke I threw it out and got a new one. The new ones are different and don't have screws ect. Unfortunately it's a broken lose wire. Now this new updated model has only lasted me for a year. I'm very disappointed to put it politely.

[@drjrgraham]

I have 4-6 kneading finger massagers that are shorted out. Can you repair them?

[@Naturally-Kelly]

Sorry Jack, I don't do repairs for other people. I only put this video up because ours broke and I fixed it.

[@dancorvalan3205]

Sup bro. I cant open the plastic housing of my device. I can see four covered holes and i believe thats where the screws are, but they are all sealed.. do u have any tips on how to open it? Great video by the way. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[@Naturally-Kelly]

The covered holes must be accessible somehow. They may have changed the design or added tamper resistance over the years. I really don't know. There is almost nothing manufactured that can't be disassembled - figuring out how just takes a bit of time sometimes.

[@dancorvalan3205]

@@Naturally-Kelly True, ill find a way to open that thing. Thank you for replying.

[@miguelalarcon1552]

On my massager the heat stopped working. Any idea what to do to fix it? Thanks.

[@Naturally-Kelly]

Sorry Miguel, that one is a bit more complicated than a broken cord. It may be a broken connection somewhere near the heating element(s), the element itself, or if the heat option is on a separate switch, it may be the switch. You'd need a multi meter and some knowledge of use to do testing to find where the electricity is not getting through. :(

[@robb1460]

@1:46 Hi Thanks for info. Can you explain how you got the black grip off? As I see no shots on how to get it off with out ripping it up.

[@Naturally-Kelly]

You bet. I found rolling it from the massage end toward the cord worked the best. So when you get it off, it should be inside out. Reinstalling works great the same way. Start with it inside out at the cord end and then roll it up from there so it's right side out when you are done.

[@robb1460]

@@Naturally-Kelly Thanks

[@CayetanoHernandezGarcia-i3w]

Donde pudo conseguir un masajeador como este alguna tienda ubicada en cd de mexico

[@robbycrow1090]

I noticed when fixing mine (same model) the plug does have a wide neutral prong and thinner hot prong also the motor has a white neutral and black hot wire going to it. So does it really not matter which way the wires are connected?

[@Naturally-Kelly]

Hey Robby, Polarity on this motor doesn't matter. With AC - polarity matters more so on motors that have "starters" like furnace motors with a capacitor attached or in the case of wiring a house - if the hot is wired to a light socket and the neutral is connected to the light switch - the socket will always be hot and if you touch a metal ground point while changing the bulb (with the switch off) you'll close the circuit through you. It's always good to put things back the way you opened it...but because of how this circuit is built as strictly AC and the design allows electron flow in both directions, it is not a show stopper if you reverse them. Good question and its always good to check when you have polarity specific plugs attached - sometimes they are there for a good reason.

[@whjess]

Mine has got noisy as its got a few years old now is there a way to fix this...??? can anyone advise me...

[@Naturally-Kelly]

Noise is usually a sign of moving parts wearing out of parts getting loose inside.

[@Laura-jb6wi]

Thanks!

[@Tiger-yp8cw]

I have same massager. 110v. Please tell me this massager pcb mosfet no.(Transistor no.) this is missing technician. from India.

[@Naturally-Kelly]

Sorry, don't know it and not interested in re-opening mine up unless it breaks again. I fixed the cord only.

[@Tiger-yp8cw]

@@Naturally-Kelly sir it's urgent please.

[@Tiger-yp8cw]

Sir please take a picture for his pcb. Transistor no. my massager is useless. please take a picture for pcb please please please.

[@irshodyakubi1637]

did you find transistor no? i have same problem too

[@Jarekurban6]

Does anyone know where I can buy those massaging balls? They disintegrated on my unit

[@Naturally-Kelly]

I've never seen replacement parts available anywhere. Sometimes these massagers show up at thrift stores for pretty cheap though (used)

[@GM-xh6gj]

Why would you pay $100 for that? Its HoMedic and it’s usually $39/$49 consistently for years. It’s a knock-off of the Thumper by Sharper Image, the stronger, more durable massager that comes in 2 sizes and prices used to start at around $250 for the mini version. Prob more now.

[@Naturally-Kelly]

The 6 year old video is about fixing a broken cord. Don't you have something better to do with your life than dis someone else's stuff? Or do you just like to talk so you can hear yourself?

[@dannycooper6370]

My massager just stop working, i think the little bumps are jammed, any solution?

[@Naturally-Kelly]

If it hums but doesn't vibrate - gears might be jammed, if there is no sound and you can press the balls inward (back and forth) - probably electrical rather than mechanical. In that case, you'd have to figure out where the electricity is stopping. If it does hum - it's mechanical and your gears might be worn out which means you'll probably have to purchase a new one. If they are worn and you do get it moving, it'll probably just jam up again.

[@dannycooper6370]

@@Naturally-Kelly already try to move it with my fingers but is really hard to do it xD i didn't use it for like a year or so

[@Naturally-Kelly]

@@dannycooper6370 Don't think I can help you any further on this one :( wish you all the best :)

[@ChrisLee66]

You helped tremendously! Thank you

[@Naturally-Kelly]

Thank you. So many times I fix something and don't record it. I realized after noting how many times I look for help on other things that if this vid could help I person, it would be worth the time. I'm shocked at how many people have this model and have the same problem.

[@betoperez6454]

buen x tu video lastima q no termine el ingles de duolingo, se me averio el modelo HHP-300, no le veo tornillo si no la goma, pero no veo q sea retractil, D todas formas Me responderias?? No importa, hay traductor Google. Gracias.

[@Naturally-Kelly]

Sorry, but Google Translate did not do a very good job translating your Spanish. All I can figure out is a question about a retractable cord. My model does not have a retractable cord. Sorry if this wasn't your question.

[@mohammedtoqir6506]

Can any one tell me how i can fix my homedic shiatsu it has stopped working and Other then the wired remote nothing else lights up im sure the roller shoulds. Any suggestions guys????

[@Naturally-Kelly]

1st step would be to see if electricity is getting past the remote using a digital meter. If it is, start troubleshooting forward. If it is getting to the cord, is it getting to the main unit? Etc. Until you find where it stops. At this point, could be the cord, could be the switch in the remote, could be the motor until you isolate where the power is getting stopped, you don't know what you're fixing.

[@poolball3954]

Can I ask you something

[@blankblank1114]

Can u fix mine

[@ferrylshanearmas967]

Hi there,would like to ask if u had fix a u shape electrical shiatsu massager?

[@Naturally-Kelly]

Hi Shane, This video just shows the most common issue with small appliances that get a lot of wear and tear from use and that is broken or shorted wiring. I've also seen massagers that have burnt out motors, worn nylon parts and burnt out circuit boards. Every situation is different. broken or shorted cords are pretty easy to identify because most of them will start/stop when you wiggle the cord at the broken spot and most breaks occur closest to where the cord meets the appliance. Any other issues are individual to the appliance and I can't make any recommendations or suggestions outside of this video. Cheers - Kelly

[@wandaburgess9400]

I call my massager *E.T.*

[@theeverythingchannel5457]

That's the very first thing that came to my mind when I looked at the massager lol

[@SunnyDlite84]

Man , I fixed it without any help, but didn't last. I need a new cord I guess.

[@lkrinoso2200]

u just ate

[@betoperez6454]

what I can responder??? of course I help, your video and me sirviendo, thanks a you, it its moments I the repair.Of new Thanks very much.???you understand?

[@garymyers2004]

that would be a broken wire, a true short would blow your circuit breaker.

[@Naturally-Kelly]

Good point. You're right Gary, in this case it is a broken wire. Shorts are usually easier to find because they're usually accompanied with melted insulation, blackened connectors or connection points...and they don't always kick the breaker like they should :)