Malibu Touch Command screen delamination

[wakeparadise]

This is the best news I’ve heard on this issue to date. You will without a doubt have an instant market to sell to. Every single screen they made is defective.  Thank you for doing this. And…. I’ll never but another Malibu again. 
 

Ryan

[ROFF]

Very cool!   

[braindamage]

11 hours ago, wakeparadise said:

This is the best news I’ve heard on this issue to date. You will without a doubt have an instant market to sell to. Every single screen they made is defective.  Thank you for doing this. And…. I’ll never but another Malibu again. 
 

Ryan

IIRC…MC and Ski Nautique used the same medallion screens. I’m on both forums and I’ve seen the same frustration. It’s crap the way Malibu has handled this, but I don’t think they are much different than other boat manufacturers.

@cuescreens you may want to visit planetnautique.com and TeamTalk.Mastercraft.com. There may be others that can use your solution.

[browneye253]

@cuescreens I'd volunteer to test.  I don't have a spare screen but I'd happily swap out the screen and put it through it's paces.  I fear mine won't work this Summer so this thread update is amazing to read.

[ROFF]

I have one you could use for testing as well.  This was the original that has been replaced.   Supposedly still works but I have yet to check.  

[cuescreens]

Thanks for the messages guys. The factory is sending me two samples tomorrow. Once I confirm that the touch response and appearance is working right, I will start heat cycling and vibration testing. I don't have a test boat or wiring harness with emulator so I will rely on the forum members here for initial feedback.

I already have a message from a dealer that wants 100 pcs immediately. I will send the web link to the mods here so they can list it in the appropriate forum here when it's live. Thanks for the encouragement. 

[cuescreens]

On 1/7/2022 at 8:32 PM, braindamage said:

IIRC…MC and Ski Nautique used the same medallion screens. I’m on both forums and I’ve seen the same frustration. It’s crap the way Malibu has handled this, but I don’t think they are much different than other boat manufacturers.

@cuescreens you may want to visit planetnautique.com and TeamTalk.Mastercraft.com. There may be others that can use your solution.

Thanks for the heads up. Once I get the first couple beta testers going, I will reach out for further expansion.

Does anyone have a complete list of the Makes, models, and years that were affected with this issue?

I am wondering if I can use the same LCD/Digitizer assembly on them all, or if there are different updates over the years that require a separate part number.

[lake4life]

8 minutes ago, cuescreens said:

Thanks for the heads up. Once I get the first couple beta testers going, I will reach out for further expansion.

Does anyone have a complete list of the Makes, models, and years that were affected with this issue?

I am wondering if I can use the same LCD/Digitizer assembly on them all, or if there are different updates over the years that require a separate part number.

I don't know but I do see this description on Bakes website for these screens which may clue you into what at least some common years are.

Used on 2011-2015 and early 2016 Malibu Boats, the 2011-2015 Malibu Boats Touchscreen from Bakes Marine is also known as the Malibu Touch Command (MTC). Made by Medallion Instruments, this touchscreen may require a software update once installed. Please note we do not accept returns on electronics.

https://www.bakesonline.com/malibu-boats-touch-screen-display.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAlfqOBhAeEiwAYi43F1ISDYDZIR-4LDsm9v7N23K2zMc1RzKYPA4plXMC8q_s-lgh2toY8hoCLpkQAvD_BwE

[dcwilson]

This is really really awesome! Thank you for the update and your perseverance! 

[cuescreens]

First two samples arrived from the factory! Overall I think it looks pretty good, just one slight issue noted. The top glass panel was placed by hand with these prototypes, I think they are about 2mm off set to the left which causes the metal LCD frame to be visible here. For the next round we will get a fixture that centers the top glass, digitizer, and LCD all in perfect alignment. I have two defective MTC units from forum member beta testers being sent to me now, I will repair them with these two displays and send back for functional feedback.

These 2 display screens are going through environmental testing now- hot, then cold cycles over and over to make sure the bond is very strong. The bonding technology here is the same as every cell phone (OCA Sheet), so it should be a notable improvement over the factory LOCA glue that delaminates. 

Will be back with more updates after I complete the first two repairs. It is nice to be moving past the "vaporware" phase of a project

 

Edited January 15, 2022 by cuescreens

[wakeparadise]

Omg! Those look incredible!!!! This is more exciting than when I finally got divorced. Thank you !!

[Slurpee]

I want to say that this is an awesome endeavor and I'm very thankful you chose to do this!  I've put four of your Cue Screen replacements in my Cadillacs over the years.  That's 100% replacement of my center console display in Caddy's I've owned.  Every one of your screens has surpassed the service life of the OEM screens. And in the case of the two I still own are going strong.

[Slurpee]

When you get these screens done, you can switch your focus to the big up front screens.

 

[Sharpag01]

Looks very good, cant wait to get one!

[Andrew63]

Great news. Although thru frustration of no real replacements, I sold my boat in October

[Diesel1]

I live in NZ and have a 2011LXI so very interested in this potential fix. My screen starting to play up with similar issues to other forum members.

thanks to everyone who has contributed

[HPskier1]

So are you really just replacing just the LCD screen and reusing all the existing hardware and plastic case so that without any reprogramming the screen works the exact same? Just a dummy here wondering.. but I did buy an extra screen a year ago so I'm covered when my current one goes. I'll gladly send my old one in for repair though just to have an extra.

[cuescreens]

Alright, just finished building the first refurbished unit last night. Its pretty tough for a DIY as you have to use lots of heat in the right areas, special solvent remover to clean up the old adhesive that is like molasses, and be very careful to not crack the glass or rip the fragile ribbon cables inside the unit, or deform the plastic housing.

I will probably set this up to be taking core units in- refurbishing them- and then sending them out with a return label to take back the delaminated core unit. This way there is less down time. I believe the MTC units can be swapped across boats without any programming from the dealer.

If this turns out to be not true, I will just do the repair mail in service as planned originally.

The new LCD/touch glass is mounted and fully installed. It's on the way to the first beta tester now to make sure the touch response is accurate. It has passed all the temperature testing, so that is good news. 

I'll report back on Monday whether the touch response works or not

I don't have a test setup right now so was unable to test before sending out. 

Also, the photo below of the completed unit has a line in the middle that is just a reflection from the shelf above

 

 

After: New LCD, digitizer, and touch glass installed.

After- new glass alignment

Before: delaminated

[cuescreens]

1 hour ago, HPskier1 said:

So are you really just replacing just the LCD screen and reusing all the existing hardware and plastic case so that without any reprogramming the screen works the exact same? Just a dummy here wondering.. but I did buy an extra screen a year ago so I'm covered when my current one goes. I'll gladly send my old one in for repair though just to have an extra.

The design of these MTC units has the LCD/Touch Glass/ Digitizer all bonded together with adhesive so they are one piece units. But yes, that entire assembly is getting replaced and the plastic housing box and internal board is getting re-used. The old tape and glue has to be removed to properly affix the new LCD assembly. 

Of note- the design is changed on these new upgraded LCD assemblies- rather than the glue adhesive as in the Medallion original design, I am using OCA sheet just like what is used in your cell phone. This provides a much stronger bond to the surfaces and should resist delamination when exposed to heat and UV

Edited January 20, 2022 by cuescreens

[oldjeep]

The only issue with your exchange idea is that older units will have older software and would likely need to be updated by a dealer to work in newer boats. 

[mtagher]

Also if you have no way to test how can you be sure it’s functionally sound when sent out using exchange process? 
 

Marc 

[Sharpag01]

Cuescreens, If you need someone to test, my boat is sitting here at my house and can get feedback same day.

[LonnieJ]

This is GREAT news!!!  Mark me down, my screen is on its last leg as well😬. Thank you very much cuescreens😁

Lonnie

Edited January 21, 2022 by LonnieJ

[braindamage]

1 hour ago, oldjeep said:

The only issue with your exchange idea is that older units will have older software and would likely need to be updated by a dealer to work in newer boats. 

Is there a DIY way to update the SW? I bet someone is willing to put together a tutorial as this has been a huge thorn that I bet both Malibu and their dealers would love to remove and be completely out of the process.

[pawter1970]

I am in!!!!