Thank you uncle_bob. That would explain why nothing was making sense. I'm nowhere capable enough to try to remove smds to test and not destroy the board or components. Maybe 1 or 2, after that my chances of destruction increase greatly.
I did some research and there is a company Test Point Inc in MD that will service these. The minimum charge is $150. Short money if the repair is less than $250 for a $2k meter new.
Hi
I'd check what a used one at auction (not buy it now) runs on eBay before I put a bunch of money into it. The ever popular eevBlog discount looks like it will get you some money knocked off the $2K at TEquipment.
Why check that number first?
It may take a bit of time to find an auction and get a price from it. Once you send the thing in, you likely will get a call that runs:
Ok, we've checked it out (= you owe us $150)
Repair involves replacing the xxxxx, that will be another $554.
Do you want us to ship it back (another $50 maybe) or fix it (maybe with free shipping)?
When the call comes in, you need to know what the "real value" is. They do not want to keep it on the shelf for a month or three while you make up your mind.
I've never done this with that particular outfit. It is how the conversation goes with roughly 100% of the gear I've sent in for professional repair over the last 10 years. ( = that's a mighty expensive thing you are replacing isn't it). I've spent enough time talking to these guys to understand that their margins are not all that high. The $554 charge might net them the same amount as the minimum bench charge. The rest goes to the cost of that board / part they had to swap out.
Bob