Yamaha S08 D key sticking

by Mario
(Wisconsin)

I have an S08 which I purchased about 7 years ago with a D key that just recently started sticking. It operates fine but when I hit it it won't come back up. Is there a way to fix this myself or am I going to have to take it to get serviced?

Comments for Yamaha S08 D key sticking

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Oct 08, 2022
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Replaced the broken key! NEW
by: Alan

The comment from January 2014 about using superglue for the repair was extremely helpful. Rather than gluing, I bought a replacement at https://www.keyboardkountry.com/replacement-keys-for-all-yamaha-motif-8-series-mo8-p-series-others-new/ and it matches perfectly and feels great.

Psyched to have my S08 back at 100%!
Jul 31, 2022
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Every Yamaha SO8 sticks NEW
by: LP

For anyone who says SO8 doesn’t have a flawed design has never had more than one SO8 model.

I’ve had 3 S08’s and every single one did the same thing. Keys get stuck every time. Its the worst model I’ve played on.
Jan 02, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks Synthpro et.al.
by: Anonymous

I had the same problem: 3x D keys sticking, plus one C and one E.

Synthpro's video helped give me the confidence to open up the instrument and attempt the repair.

The instructions were spot on, except for the number of screws I had to take out (like 25-30!) in order to get to the keys.

Here are my observations:

-All the sticking keys were cracked at the same place..i.e. the right side of the flange that forms the socket for the anchor point at teh back of the key. I actually snapped two off (which were only cracked) while checking....then was more careful in looking...all were able to be repaired with superglue. If only cracked, I gently spread it open a bit and driped glue in. If sheared off the pieces had clean enough edges to fit back together again cleanly.

-You need to completely free the frame holding the keys (screws along the back of the key 'rack') so you can pull the assembly away from the front panel of the casing. This is necessary to have enough clearance to pull the keys forward then up when you release the locking tab.

- Releasing the keys: Use whatever to gently release the locking tab on the bottom of the key (I used a letter opener). Don't need to pry hard! It does not take much for them to release..actually the thickness of my letter opener was sufficient without any significant prying. Once the tab is flexed, gently push the key straight forward. I should slide a half inch. Then lift the front of the key to remove it....it should come out easily.

-Replacing the key: Lay it in place; then slide it forward a little..the front end should drop a little.
then slide it back while slightly raising the back end of the key. This will allow the front to engage the upper limiter, and allow the back to 'catch' the spring properly. then gently seat the anchoring point by sliding it forward again and pressing down...you should feel the spring's tension as you do. Level the key and the spring will push it back and it will seat.

IF the front then springs up higher than the other keys when done, you did not catch the front end correctly and must remove and repeat.


Jun 04, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Under warranty
by: Rich

Hi all,

I had this same issue last year, and although I had purchased my keyboard in 2003, Yamaha replaced the entire set of keys for me at no cost as long as I had the original receipt. Just call them and explain.

-Rich
Feb 11, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Yamaha S08 broken key
by: jareth

Hi, I have found a way to fix the broken keys on the Yamaha S08. I put a video up on youtube of this fix.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiDRHGNRReI

hope this helps,
Jareth
Dec 09, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Broken key?? Bad design?
by: Dick Rector

Hi Rick,

First of all, keyboards are not designed for students to fall on. So your comment about a bad design if a key is broken is misplaced. If you knew what you are doing by changing the keys around, you should know that when all keys of a kind are not working it is most likely that the rubber contact-pad is now broken or misplaced. I am not in any way connected with Yamaha or any other factory but your comment has nothing to do with a bad design. Many thousands of people around the world are very happy with their keyboards.

Dick
Dec 09, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Sticking D's
by: Rick

Our school has a S08. A student fell into the keyboard and messed up a D key. I took it apart, and swapped a less used D for the broken one. Long story short: Now all the D's are broken now. The pivot point works like a ball & socket, but the socket's plastic is too thin, or too brittle. Once a small piece breaks, the key will lean a little and start sticking. I think it's a bad design. Why should we pay a premium price for a bad design replacement? Hmm?
Oct 31, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstar 		S90 trouble
by: D-less

Yes thank you - my S90 has a D6 sticking. I have disassembled the keyboard but I dare not remove the keys themselves. all springs and parts seem to be ok. very little dust is present after 8 years. if it is just ,why only the D?
Oct 05, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		repairing DIY
by: Dick Rector

Hi Jim,

Thanks for your advice about this. Always a great help to other people with the same or similar problems.
You are right, in general replacement parts are very pricey (if you can get them at all!!)

Regards
Dick
Oct 04, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		I had same issues with sticking keys
by: Jim

I have had an S08 for about 8 years now. We had a small church which we had to build and tear down the audio equipment after each use.
I packed my keyboard in a hardcase and would store it vertically.... bad idea!
After time the weight of the kb and the pressure of the lid put strain on the keys and made them stick.
I took the kb apart and found that a lot of my keys had cracks on the top of them.
I was able to fix it with super-glue. Also, replaced the mid-range keys with the non-broken keys in the upper and lower octaves... Same keys!

That might be an idea for you who have the same issue.

How to remove the keys... once you get the cover off and are looking at the keys hammer action, you have to stick a small thin object long side of the key toward the top of the key.. i used a butter knife. There is a kind of leaf spring that needs to be depressed. Once pressed, slide the key out toward you. Give it a shot! Hope this helps.
Oh an an entire replacement key set is an arm and a leg... literally!
Apr 24, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Sticking keys
by: Dick Rector

Hi Anonymous,

You must have forgotten to give a name and I almost NEVER react on noname messages.
Great you could replace that key, alas not all people are as handy as you. For them we always advice to get help from a prof.
But if you feel like it and want to be a help to other people with the same problem on a S08, would you mind to describe the process of changing the key a bit more detailed.
Thanks in advance.

Dick
Apr 23, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		sticking keys
by: Anonymous



I had two keys stick C2 and middle C. I opened the keyboard up to see what was going on (I own the S08) and found that the key was cracked where it attached to the weight, it was causing it to ever so slightly favor the left side in turn made the key stick, So I switched the broken one with a non cracked low C and it fixed the problem.
Mar 01, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Sticky Key
by: Elijah

My church has the S08 and we have a couple keys (important ones, maybe E4, D4?) that are sticking.
Anyway, I'll try the compressed air and vacumming and let you know what happened.
Feb 27, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Sticking key
by: Dick Rector

Hello,

You better try your nearest dealer.
We don't have anything to do with a factory so numbers of parts is difficult to get on the forum. A dealer might have a 'dead' keyboard and uses it for parts. If you are lucky you can get a replacement key.
Dick
Feb 26, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Yamaha S08 - sticky D keys
by: D Tran

I have a same problem.. I notice it happen more often on the D keys.. I notice top of the key there is a crack.. I'm trying to buy the key for it but don't have the part number... my key is 101-D and 110-D... Does any body have the part number so i can order online thru Yamaha...???

Thanks...
Oct 24, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Same problem
by: madkram

I have the same problem. I am actually trying to fix this right now. Is this the same problem that yamaha is warranty offering on the s90?
Oct 21, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Sticking key
by: Dick Rector

Hi,

Try a can with compressed air and blow on all sides around the bandid keys. Then a vacuumcleaner on it!
Most at the time it is dust building up over time.
I had also good result, and adviced it a few times on this forum, with a littlebit of talcumpowder (babypowder)blowen on all sides and under the key. Talcum works as a dry lubricant.
WARNING HOWEVER! NEVER but NEVER use any lubricant on an oil-base. That will guaranteed be the end of your keyboard!!
Let us know please if this helped solving the problem so others can learn from it.

Regards
Dick

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