The Chi Flat Iron is an expensive device. When my Wife’s Chi broke, a little web research showed that problems with the power cord seem like a pretty consistent complaint. However, i could not find any good tutorials on how to fix the cord problem.. or even how to take the Chi apart. In the end, my problem was not related to the cord. I took photos as I dissembled the Chi in the hopes that some other poor husband who takes this on can have an inside look at the Chi before deciding to ‘dig in’
Are you planning on taking your CHi apart? Send me photos!!!
Since I wrote this article there have been many followup questions asked about getting the hinge screws out and circuit board details. If you are taking your Chi apart, please take some photos for me and let me know in the comments. If I use your photos on this page I will definately give you photo credit.
ANOTHER UPDATE!
ANOTHER UPDATE! We have added another page for user submitted photos. Of you are looking for more photos / inspiration for digging into your broken Chi… look here.
Using a knife or small flatblade screwdriver, remove the hinge cover on both sides of the Chi.
WIth the covers removed you will see the two screw heads that go through the hinge. using two screwdrivers carefully remove the screws. Use caution when removing and finally separating the two sides of the Chi, there is a spring in the hinge that may leap out at you.
You may find the process of removing the screws easier if you can gently clamp the Chi to a table or workbensh so it does not get away from you.
Here is the chi with the sides seaprated. I put the screw back in the hinge to avoid losing it.
The Chi with the cord removed. From what I read, this is a big point of failure with the Chi. While I had the cord out, I used a small wire brush to clean the contacts seen in the photo here.
The rotating cord
The backside of the circutboard, note the charring
the fried switch.
I removed the fried switch and then soldered a small piece of wire across where the switch was located, closing the circuit that was originally interrupted by the switch. So, now the Chi is on at all times when it is plugged in. Which is not a problem because my wife always keeps it unplugged anyway.
UPDATE 2009.12.31: Over 6 months later and the CHi is still going strong! :)
Also, I found an article by Nicholas Colyer dealing with troubleshooting and replacing the thermal fuse on a knockoff Chi, I read the article and it looks like the same information could be applied to an actual Chi. Check him out: http://www.thehackerdiary.com/nicholas-colyer/repairing-a-flat-iron-thermal-fuse-fun/
UPDATE 2011.02.14: It has been over a year… the Chi is still going strong. Also, we have added another page for user submitted photos. Of you are looking for more photos / inspiration for digging into your broken Chi… look here.
where do you buy a thermal fuse?
So, I go to turn on my chi this morning and it won’t turn on. Then later I closed it an held the plates together really hard and the light came on and apparently it only works when I hold the plates tightly together! What’s wrong with it?
Anyone have any experiences with the U-Smooth brand of flat iron?
My wife has 2 of these that have failed almost the same way.
Neither one will hold the temperature correctly. The temperature will usually slowly decrease or bounce around, they should hold around 450 degrees. One of the irons will actually show a “ERR 01″ code on the display. I took one of the irons apart and found no obvious burnt components. Pretty sure the power cords are OK. Anyone know if these irons have a thermal fuse? If so, where is it located?
Hi Joe!
Quick question! While I may not have a chi, I’m assuming most models are about the same in respect to how they run and blah. But my question to you is, well I have a loose spring in my straightener and I’m scared to open it up. How will i know what position my spring has to be in?
Thanks!
-Nathalie
I need to replace the cord because it’s making noise. I removed it no problems ,but where do you find a cord with this type of plug on the end?