I go though some features/options and measurements which are not obviously visible on the Fluke 87V

* How to measure Siemens / conductivity

PowerOn and select Resistance / Ohms
Push RANGE button twice and its appears nS (nanoSiemens) to measure conductance.
* How to disable auto power-off
Hold down the yellow button when powering on PoFF will be displayed and the yellow button can be released.
To disable this feature you must switch off the DMM.
* How to enter the calibration mode / view the calibration number
Hold down the MIN MAX button when powering on to VAC “CAL” will be displayed.
Push the AutoHOLD button to see the Calibration number n00x. x means the number of times the multimeter have been calibrated.
* How to enter the smoothing feature
Hold down the RANGE button when powering on “S---” will be displayed Release RANGE button.
To disable it power off the DMM and it returns to normal mode.
* How to check the LCD display (LCD test feature)
Hold down the AutoHOLD button when powering on and keep depressed As soon as you released meter back to the operating
normal mode.
* How to disable the beeper
Hold down the CONTINUITY button when powering on “bEEP” will be displayed Release CONTINUITY button.
To disable it power off the DMM and it returns to normal mode.
* How to enable the zoom (center to zero) bar graph mode
Hold down the REL Δ button when powering on “2rEL” will be displayed Release REL Δ button.
Then push REL Δ button again and now you can see zero is setting in the middle.
* How to enable the high impedance mode to get better readings to mV (millivolts) range
Hold down the Hz % button when powering on The input impedance is changed from 10 MΩ to >4,000 MΩ.
“Hi 2” will be displayed. It means HiZ Release Hz % button Select mV to use.
* How to check the buttons
Powering on meter on VAC Push each button in turn listening for “beep”.
Hold down MIN MAX to revert to normal use or switch off the meter and comeback on to return normal mode.
* How to check if the fuses are blown
Put the + test lead in the Volts/Ohms/Diode socket, and probe the amp range socket of choice with the meter on ohms.
Then stick the test probe into the top of mA socket That reading should be give anything between 0.995kΩ to 1.005kΩ
4) Repair TIP damaged multimeter by high power RF
Sign of damage , LCD on - meter does not respond to selector changes.
Look to find an fusible resistor of 1 K Ohm , replace it with equal type .

5) Display repair part 1

Sign of damage : No back light ..
Cause : Bad transistor that turns on the light, it is right before the light socket.
Cure :Its replaceable with a standard transistor, you could try 2n3906 or a 2n3904 .
One of the two will do the trick 100% .

6) Display repair part 2

Sign of damage : Faulty display – Ghosting – numbers fades
Cause : Between the display and the PCB , there is elastomeric pads ,
at the connection point between elastomeric pads and PCB , there is soft signs of oxidation.
Cure :

a* Remove the screws on the back.

b* Disconnect the battery
c* Be careful and remove the outer LCD cover (clipped on)
d* Gently pull off the LCD portion (it sits on the possibly oxidized connections that you'll soon clean with alcohol)
e* Pull off the bottom white LCD backing still in the meter (connected by 2 pins on the left)
f* Clean all the circular button connections and the pins below the LCD in the skinny slots top and bottom for the LCD about roughly 40 pins.
g* Cleaning solutions .. denatured alcohol or glass cleaner ( as less drastic solution ) ,
anything powerful could shorten the life of the elastomeric pads .
k* Use tweezers to remove the old Pink elastomers if they stay down in the slot(s) to avoid any 'skin oil' deposits being left....they usually stick to
the bottom of the glass in most cases, which makes it easier.
The elastomeric kit is available from Fluke, and the part number is 627494. This is not the display upgrade kit (model DR80). Replacing the
elastomeric connectors will correct the problem.
Most problems was show up when your meter has an Pink colored elastomeric pad ,
Fluke found that this pads was causing issues , upgraded the material with new type grey color this time.
If your meter are an old one, and uses the Pink one , its best to upgrade it , with the latest Grey elastomeric.
The ones with the Grey elastomeric, do not suffer so far from the above issue .

7) Does my meter need to be calibrated?

If you short the test leads together, does the meter read zero volts (or at least very close to zero)?
If yes , you are ok .

8 ) Do you repair your own tools ?

If yes, you worth to have , the complete schematic of the Fluke 87 & PCB layout &,
part list = full PDF file : 83_85_87smeng0500.pdf (11.850 KB)

http://assets.fluke.com/manuals/83_85_87smeng0500.pdf

9) Fluke special Fuses …

a) Type 10,3X38 FLU11(11A) -Volt Rating 1KV- Breaking point 17000A ( recently Fluke updated the specs to 20000A)
b) Type 10,3X35 DMM 44/100= 440mA - Volt Rating 1KV- Breaking point 10000A

Tip : Its from the few times , that I will advice too " call Fluke ", so to get them , or the nearest representative !!
At the begging of 2009 , there was a battle between the Fuse manufactures like Bussman & LittleFuse ,
and they had triple the prices , of the same fuses , when they get sell in the open market !!

Fluke , has its own stock , and keeps the pricing almost low , because they making money, from their products,
and not mainly from the fuses !!

EU Pricing 11A ( 8.50 – 12 EUR ) VAT included

EU Pricing 440mA ( 5.32 – 11 EUR ) VAT included

Be aware about similar fuses from SIBA brand , looks identical in specs ,
but they have Breaking point 30000A .
Check the page called as URZ 23
http://www.sibafuses.com/pdf/urz.pdf

I am not aware if they can be used , but they are the closest in specs , from any other solution worldwide.