Expert: Michael Radi - 10/3/2011

Question
Hi Michael,

I was given a Seiko Melodies in Motion Musical Wall Clock.  It stopped playing music and when I took the batteries out the coils where they went were all corroded.  How could that happen and now what do I do?

Thanks so much,

Suzy T.

Answer
It sounds like you had a leaking battery. You may not have seen any corrosion on the battery itself but it is my observation that batteries can leak gasses and cause corrosion. I have had personal and professional experience with this problem and this is what I recommend: You can try to clean the battery connectors by scraping off the corrosion with a fingernail file or similar instrument. If you can make the battery connection good again you may have fixed your clock. However the gas may have gotten inside the movement and damaged it beyond repair.
Your other option is to request restitution from the battery maker. I have done this and gotten a check from the battery maker for the full replacement value of the item.
I hope you still have the battery that caused the failure. You will need it in order to do this. You can contact that company and tell them about your clock and what happened. They will instruct you on how to go about getting this done.