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S

SCache

Permanently disable 2nd gen motion sensor tamper switch
motion-detector
troubleshooting
While cleaning, I knocked my motion sensor off its pedestal and onto the floor. The back cover and batteries came off. Unfortunately, after putting it back together the sensor reported "possible tampering" and it wouldn't clear. The problem was the little plastic "lever" on the sensor body that the back cover "finger" pushes against broke. The physical tamper switch wasn't being toggled correctly when the back cover was in place. Bummer. As an electronics designer, I don't care for mechanical interlocks in general. An optical sensor with a little reflective tape would be what I would have used. Anyway, I removed the 4 screw covers, unscrewed the 4 screws and opened the housing. Switch SW1 is closed with the cover off and open when the cover is in place. I used a pick and gently pried SW1 off the PCB while heating the side contacts using a soldering iron. No switch, no switch contacts so it's permanently open. I reassembled it and the tamper warning is gone for good. I'm not too worried about not having the tamper feature. Hopefully the Ring app doesn't have an issue with not having the tamper switch. The motion sensor is working. Worst case, I can buy a new one for $30 (and not knock it off its pedestal onto the floor).

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26-12-2021 23:43:35

Responses (4)

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    Caitlyn_Ring

    Hi @SCache. I can't imagine there will be any issues with the Motion Detector's performance despite the Tampered feature no longer working after your DIY fix. Thanks for sharing your feedback and your DIY fix! If any other neighbors are considering this, I'd like to mention that dismantling your device in any way may void your warranty. You can learn more about your device's warranty [here](https://shop.ring.com/pages/warranty). Should you have any concerns with your device's performance and you're not able to find a solution here on the Community, you can reach out to our support team at one of the numbers available [here](https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articles/213608406). If you are outside of the US, please visit [here ](https://support.ring.com/hc/en-gb/articles/213608406)to see how to contact support. :)

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    27-12-2021 23:07:46

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    • C

      ChrispianLee

      Thanks @SCache as your post very helpful. It's actually Sw3 switch not Sw1that needs to be removed on 2nd gen as sw1 is reset. I removed sw3 and no more tamper warning and no device works again 👌

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      21-11-2022 11:10:44

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      • F

        FrancescoL

        Can confirm that in 2nd gen sensors, the switch name is SW3. I couldn't find my soldering iron so the "gently pried" operation has been more like "remove the whole SW3 from the board gently pulling with pliers. In any case, it worked. attached: the removed switch, for reference it is very small, like 3x3mm... ![PXL_20231107_175602605|644x500](upload://tPybLFjim1KYCxcQ8KVGFRU57BA.jpeg)

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        07-11-2023 17:57:44

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        • A

          Australian

          Yep that worked for me too (the pliers) Came off WAY easier than I thought it would.

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          07-11-2023 19:59:09

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