Dave's Guide to ][e Keyboard Repair

[dalloff@freenet.columbus.oh.us (Dave Althoff)]

Most Apple ][e's use all-mechanical Alps keyswitches in the keyboards. 
Some use a short-stem switch, some use a short-stem switch with an
extender, and some use a long-stem switch.  In most cases, the switches
are not repairable.

Fortunately, replacement  is fairly easy.

1.  Remove the screws from the bottom of the ][e case, and remove the top
half of the case.

2.  Scribe the position of the keyboard on the keyboard support brackets,
to facilitate reinstallation.

3.  Remove the keycaps of the blown key and the surrounding keys.

4.  Remove the four keyboard mounting  screws, and unplug the ribbon
connector from the keyboard.  At this point, I generally find it
convenient to mount the keyboard PCB-side-up on the mounting brackets.

5.  Locate the two solder pads under the blown key.  Heat these pads and,
using a vacuum bulb, remove all of the solder from the pins.  Grasp the
exposed pins with a small plier and wiggle a bit to make sure they are
free of the board.

6.  To remove the keyswitch, you must fully depress the tabs on either
side of the key stem, and lift the entire switch upward.  This is the
tricky part.

7.  To install the new keyswitch, simply press the switch into the hole in
the keyboard until it snaps  into position.  Carefully solder the pins to
the pads  on the PC board, then reinstall the keyboard  in the reverse of 
removal.

8.   When reinstalling the keyboard, line the edges up with the scribe
marks on the brackets.  If you get it malpositioned, you may find that
certain keys (most notably the "`") will stick by jamming against the
system cover.

If you need more information, I am...

--Dave Althoff, Jr.
(dalloff@freenet.columbus.oh.us)
(long-time Apple ][ user)