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Pavel
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wi-fi distance was reduced

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Couple days ago I dropped my iPhone 4 on the floor. As a result it's display was cracked. But the phone kept their functionality: GSM, WI-FI, GPS worked fine. I decided to change display, so I asked my friend to help me. He disassembled my iPhone, and replaced old cracked display with new one. I was very glad, my iphone seemed like new....but unfortunately I noticed that after dissasembling the iphone's WI-FI became to work worth than before dissasembling. My iphone doesn't see my office's wifi network any more. In my home I have to be in a room with wi-fi router to use wi-fi. :-(( It seems like the iphone wi-fi module is not connected to it's antenna...but me and my friend do not know where it should be connected. If anybody know where it should be connected, or what is wrong please answer :-)) Thanks!!!

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Chavdar Sirakov
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Losing the metal clips marked in green is top reason for abnormal Wi-Fi operation after reassembly.

Here are two images, which I shot, that better depict the cause of the issue. Once you lose that piece, you have no option but to order a replacement cover.

Block Image

Block Image

In case they don't work here, here's an external link.

I've also lost my 1.4mm "hole" (or nut as I would call it). I still have it but I don't think there's a way to fix that back onto the logic board. Anyway, I keep a loose dummy screw there to make the needed contact and so far I've had no issues.

As regards the EMI fingers on the antenna cable hat runs by the loudspeaker enclosure, they are really overrated. I had them all snapped off and there were no issues with Wi-Fi, 3G or 2G signal. Then I replaced them just to be sure - same thing, no difference.

Edited by

There was no contact between clem 1 and 2. Thank you for the answers!!! :-))

Pavel,

Clem 1&2? What do you mean? Do you have a picture? At the EMI plate or the antenna?

steve pizzo,

Follow the link iphone4 teardown. There are some pictures.

Pavel,

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Goran Kapetanovic
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DO THIS IF YOU LOST YOUR "RINGY THING"

Hi there, Great success, Wifi is fixed and works perfectly again :)

Fixed mine missing "ring thingy" with few strips of thin copper wire (by connecting that big screw and connection point on MBO that ring does naturaly)...

Hopefully it helps someone! Have fun using your fixed phone!

Here's the pic of repair:

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/8941/im...

73 de 9A6NGK

Edited by

Cool, nice thinking, Goran. I was thinking of a way to fix that the DIY way but I didn't think of the copper wire. Good job, man!

Chavdar Sirakov,

Hi there, Just to add up... have same problem, broke my screen and wifi has poor range... I have just seen I'm missing that "fingery hole" thiny on big EM shield... Any online stores where to purchase it from?

Goran Kapetanovic,

I ordered mine from China here: parts4repair.com Prices and shipping are reasonable plus they sell some other nice stuff, however mine still hasn't arrived so I can't really comment the quality and whatnot.

Chavdar Sirakov,

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Alex
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Guys hello!

thx a lot - this really work

i made this small piece from tinfoil

WIFI works perfectly :)

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steve pizzo
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It all has to do with the top IEM connector cover plate (the one above all the connections). Either that was not put back on right or there is something wrong with that. Clean the connections and make sure its assembled right. That is the location of the WiFi antenna. Hope that helps. Let me know

Thanks, I will try...but I am not sure that I understand where it is :-( Is there any photo of the IEM connector to compare with my phone's IEM connector?

Pavel,

That was probably mistype... it was meant to be EMI. following this http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/Insta... , step 22, second picture, on the metal shield, you will find small fingers. those are the ones in questions. odkial si?

palokiller,

Yes. EMI is what I meant. Check step 15 http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/Insta... that is the piece I believe is responsible for peoples after conversion WiFi issues. The steps mentioned by palokiller will fix the phone not the wifi seeing as the wifi antenna is up top not at the bottom. Thoughts?

steve pizzo,

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rogerandersen
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something fell out of my logic board when I removed the 1.4mm screw from the coverplate. It was the "hole" that the 1.4mm screw goes into. Is it possible to buy a new logic board somewhere ?

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Vladimir Dunic
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Gorane, jel mozes da mi das neki kontakt email, skype ili sta vec?

Da mi objasnis kako da sredim WIFI.

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Adam G
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Having this issue now, but saw no "plate" over the top of the upper shield.. the shield is pristine... I cannot see a "ring thingy" on the two shield pics posted by chavdar, (other than a lil wear around the screw holes). As for the remark about "clem 1 and 2" I have no idea what those are, and found nothing in the tear down instructions referencing that. I have wifi but its about 50% or less powerful than it used to be.

Can someone, perhaps, elaborate on this in detail.. and explain what part is what (from motherboard out) for the wifi antenna path? The pic from goran is beyond too blurry to see anything...

Can someone also explain what the little gold springy thing is on the top of the mainboard.. is it just a ground, or some kind of antenna...

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Zeljko Matija
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http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy360...

Ovdje se vidi dio lima koji fali kod vijka.

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Jerome
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I just changed my screen too , i have the ring thingy but I cannot get the screws in , the screw socket appear to be loose or something , and I don't want to change the middle frame someone has any idea what I can do , they solve this issue

sounds like you've misplaced the "standoff"screw..it's a funny shaped screw that goes in first and then logic then long screw. check out the guide linked above..it shows and mentions that screw.

pollytintop,

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Goran Kapetanovic
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Hello again people,

If you are having trouble finding replacement "wifi shield" there are few being sold on ebay... Got mine for 3$ and it did include the lost ring.

Bought it from this seller http://www.ebay.com/itm/120811176741?ssP...

Have fun!

@Goran Kapetanovic: Does the fact that you bought the ring in the end mean that your copper wire fix didn't work? If it does work could you please tell me in more detail how to do it? Thanks a lot!

Matthijs Wardenier,

@Matthijs: Both methods of fixing it work, i decided to buy replacement shield just because i feel more secure with original part... If you are loooking into fixing it yourself you just need to connect round contact on the motherboard with outside antenna... By default that is the function of the "ring" and the screw. Screw is is screwed into antenna and the "ring" touches motherboard contact... Merry Xmas!

Goran Kapetanovic,

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telis
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thank u guys the ring was missing from my phone so i fixed it thank u

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giuliano f
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hi guys, i bought a used iphone that didnt have the "ringy thing" of the metal plate, i used copper wire to act as the connector and it worked like a charm! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

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andrew
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Fantastic work Pavel!

Thank you very much

I got the ring attached to the plate after a very long time

very small item to attach but can be done with patience

Wi-fi works great

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ismael
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Thank you very much!!!

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Darnell Barkman
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Hey thanks guys. I used the tin foil idea and it worked like a charm. :)

I'll spread this good news around.

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