Kenmore Mod 350 Water Softener

 Kenmore Model 350 Water Softener

We have not had problems in a few years of having installed this machine.  I blow it out each winter when we go south and turn off water to the house.  This year, however, it refused to accept time input during setup.  You tube offered a good little video clip on how to remove the controller and some ideas:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MagmFckz37U

I removed the controller and took off the aluminum shield, which was highly corroded, both inside and out.  I cleaned this and spray-painted it with Krylon.  The circuit board itself had some filth but no obvious compromise, so I cleaned it with isoprophyl alcohol on Q-tips, very carefully, and blew it dry with spray can of compressed air.  

Put it back in.  The little screen improved a slight bit but it still would not accept instruction on the "select" tab.  These little microswitches can get iodized surfaces, so as a last resort, I pushed and clicked the select button about thirty times to try and clean it.  Voila!  Suddenly it accepted the instruction!  It's touch and go like this, but there is hope that I can joust the controller into the correct settings this way and avoid the couple hundred dollar replacement cost!