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Second generation of iPhone. Model A1241 / 8 or 16 GB capacity / black or white plastic back. Repair is more straightforward than the first iPhone. requires screwdrivers, prying, and suction tools.

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After repair, won't charge or connect, proximity sensor also busted.

Hello community...

Brief description. After disassembling (iPhone 3G black 16GB):

- Proximity sensor is busted.

- Ear speaker won't work.

- iPhone won't display battery is charging.

- iTunes will not detect anything.

- If plugged to the computer/wall while off, will turn on.

- The phone actually charges if plugged, but extremely slowly (powered off it goes faster).

Long description:

I had to replace the headphone jack + ribbon on my iPhone 3G. Therefore I needed to take most of it apart.

When I put it back together, the headphone jack worked great, but there was no audio on the ear speaker. I realised I busted my proximity sensor once I made a test call, put the phone next to my face and the display didn't go black (plus the ear speaker didn't work, had to talk on the speaker or headphones).

In addition, I noticed nothing happened when I plugged it in the computer. The battery won't charge and the iTunes won't detect a thing. If I plug it in while it's off (computer/wall), it will turn on.

I'm buying a replacement proximity sensor with ribbon cable to fix that bit, but I have no idea what to do with the battery issue. Everything seems intact in the logic board, I've checked for the SMD thing as described here.

Any suggestions?

UPDATE

I've fixed the description of the problem to include my new findings.

UPDATE #2 02/July/2011

I have replaced the proximity sensor and the dock connector to no avail. Same problems, which makes me believe it is something related to the logic board. I took the phone to Apple, but they refused to take it in for service because the phone has been opened. Any new ideas?

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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I forgot to mention that I might have accidentally turned the phone back on before reconnecting the front part (i.e. connectors 1, 2 and 3) if that's even possible. I did test the power button a few times and, after replacing the screen, nothing would show up. Because the phone did vibrate when I moved the mute switch, I realised it must be on without anything on the display. So I reseted it by pressing home and power for over 5 seconds and then turned it back on by pressing power alone. That's when it came back to life (with the problems described above). That said, maybe I touched something with the phone on and open and short circuited something that damaged the logic board and caused the software issues I'm having? just some thoughts...

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Any iTunes updates recently or jailbreaks??

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No. The phone has been running a stock 4.1 (8B118) on 05.14.02 (O2 Locked) for quite a while. In addition, I did test my computer setup with a new iPhone 4 and everything works... it's definitely the iPhone 3G (hardware+maybe_some_software).

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8 Answers

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hey felipe, sorry to take so long in answering.

first off...

I'd check and clean all the connectors first , pay special attention to no.4 the dock connector(it's the cheapest fix) make sure the battery contacts are clean and making contact with the bottom of the motherboard, that the battery contacts are in the right place on the rear case, and that the screws next to do not remove sticker are in tight enough to give good contact with battery.

did you remove the battery? is there a chance that you have damaged it? A new battery is fairly cheap. Try and match the lot number if you can (you can buy graded seconds etc on ebay... I'd recommend buying here but there seems to be a bad batch going round so until it's sorted..)

Did you have trouble getting the motherboard out in the first place? there is a chance you have damaged the fuse or wiring for the battery connection... take a close look at the "wing" with the do not repair sticker and the tiny fuses at the top of that wing.

be systematic, start with tip no 1 and if that doesn't work move on.. let us know.

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Thanks a lot for your remarks! I have cleaned everything up, reassembled and made sure everything is connecting perfectly to no avail. Just in case, I've ordered a dock replacement along with the new proximity sensor, but I'm afraid it might be something else: (1) If I plug the phone in the wall charger (will test on the computer usb port once battery is drained again) and turn the phone off (after it turns itself on), it WILL charge (but there is no charging icon). (2) I've noticed a couple of other oddities: the caps lock function stopped working. When I press shift twice, the button just blinks blue. If I turn "caps lock" off in settings, shift works fine. The other thing is that all the SSL certificates are unrecognised (noticed that while checking email). I can't begin to imagine how these software issues could be related, but I hope they are not the cause for the cable not to be working (because I will be unable to software restore it without communicating with a computer). Will update soon. Thanks so far!

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felipe, just do one thing at a time. If you try to correct to many things at once, you will get lost and really frustrated. Follow the advice of pollytintop and you will be in good hands. Ask lots of questions before you get in to deep and get lost. It takes time and patience...

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Hi! I wanted to add a lot of info so I didn't give details to what I've already tried. When I said reassembled, I meant I've put everything apart again, cleaned all the contacts and made sure all the pieces are in place and tight enough. I've seen, in other threads, that it's common to break the proximity sensor (or the ribbon cable attached to it) and I've tested mine as I described in the original post and confirmed it is damaged. So I need that replaced anyway. But I will follow your advice and replace that prior to replacing the dock connector. I just can't understand why there are some software misbehaviours on the phone's side and I wonder if the charge issue isn't related to that. After all, the phone DID charge while off and connected to the wall, despite the fact it is not showing as charging. I'm killing some battery now (playing videos) and I will try to charge it while on to see if it works (even if it doesn't say it is charging). I've already tried resetting all settings, naturally. =)

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Sometimes a good old fashioned hard reset sorts out these problems. Press and hold power and home for 10 seconds until apple appears then release buttons and allow to reboot. I'm not sure why you're draining your battery though... You can just hold power for 5 sec until slide to power off shows. I never bother with drained batteries before opening...

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I was draining the battery to check it would recharge without being powered off. It turns out the phone started charging at a very slow rate, even though it doesn't say it is charging. The battery icon went from red to a few white percentage while on and plugged on the wall for the whole day. Then I did the hard reset and, after boot, the battery seems to be fully charged... But still iTunes won't show a thing regarding the phone and nothing shows on the phone display regarding charge while plugged (nor the beep plays when plugged). I intend to replace the proximity sensor + ribbon as soon as it arrives and see if it changes anything. I've also ordered a dock connector, which I will also replace depending on the results. Would anyone have any comments on why the phone turns on when plugged and why it apparently (silently) charges?

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Let me get this clear...

1- you have no speaker working.

2- proximity sensor not working

3- usb works and charge works but really slow

Right?

Ok....

First i would do a full restore, that helps to solve SOFTWARE issues. (back up your data first if needed)

I have solved the slow charge problem by restoring software only. But not always.

If that doesn't fix it, replace the dock connector, if you have no experience using soldering gun, get the complete part that includes speaker, mic and antena. Otherwise you will get in more trouble.

Replace proximity sensor. I have fixed those, but just for fun, if you like to have fun messing with removing very small components and if you have at least 3 "ribbon cable" as you call it. You can try it, have fun.

Be sure your speaker is in place and " intact", if you took it out of the plastic box that helds it, you probbably messed it up. Replace it.

If you did not messed up with the speaker, just make sure is in place and clean any grease or dust on the ribbon cable connections.

Note: if by any chance you have another iphone try exchanging the touch assembly and test speaker and sensor.

Hope this helps :)

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2 Comments:

Cancunraff: I cannot do a full restore because the phone doesn't show up on the computer when plugged in. It doesn't show as plugged on the display of the phone either. Not even when plugged on the wall. It still charges, though, but very slowly (and without the charging icon). I have replaced the headphone flex (which caused the other problems to show), the proximity sensor and the entire dock connector. I do not have another iPhone 3G. =( But anyone in London willing to have a look would be nice. =)

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you can do a factory settings restore in the settings app. not sure where it is exactly, just look around a little you'll find it.

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Hmm, seems as if i have the same problem. I opened my iphone to fix the home button and now I speakers dont work, no phone call, and proxmitity sensor isnt working. And it seems as if it isnt charging and computer wont detect it, My home button still broken so hard reset wont be possible yet. What now :/

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these problems may be from the same source.. your dock connector. open and recheck connector 4 is on properly..it contains the antenna, speaker/mic and USB connection. The fact that all of them seem to have happened after you opened the phone suggests that the connector is the problem. if cleaning and/or reconnecting connector 4 on doesn't work then you may have to replace it.

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I have replaced my dock connector, cleaned everything up with compressed air and it is all the same. =( ArminT, would you test if your caps lock is working? This bit still intrigues me.

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Yeah i would glady check but im having troubles connecting the #4 pin for my new dock connector. >.< if i get it working ill post here if it is fixed

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Can I ask did we ever get to a resolution / what might be the problem on this topic, I have the same issue

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I have exactly the same problem. : ( But in iPhone 4... Tomorrow I'll change the dock connector too. I hope this works.

Slow charging, sensor, detect USB (PC or MAC), and ear speaker.

My old iPhone 2G, had the same problem and now it is a beatiful brick. TT

Amora

Update

I found this:

http://fonefixer.webs.com/apps/webstore/...

Update

Repaired!!

Ok , for my luck my iPhone 4 is repaired. What I did is change the parts, USB connector, earpiece, proximity sensor and everything is normal now. I hope you have the same luck.

Send to a technical!! Don't do yourself, are a lot of screws and connectors to remember. In Brazil send me a email.

Thank you to advise!

Amora

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I just took on the same group of problems with my iPhone 4 after opening it to attempt a home button repair. I don't know the extend of the problems right now but the speaker still works. The only noticeable fault right now is the charging/recognition problem. I noticed that Leonardo put up a link that claims it is a VCC controller problem but then updated that he replaced the bottom assembly and it works now. Should I hassle with the VCC part (appears to be a difficult soldering job) or just do the repair of to the USB assembly?

As a side note: I did tear the antenna ribbon a bit during my first attempt to disassemble the phone. I planned on replacing the assembly to fix that problem but could that be what is causing the phone to not charge or not acknowledge itunes when hooked to the computer?

I put my phone in the dock of my speaker and it still plays music.

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Well, I did my friend's differently to have the same symptoms.

I was trying to attach a LED unit to the back of his iPhone 4S. I have done it with my 4, and the 4S isn't really much of a difference internally. Moving to the main point. I was on the phase of connecting the black wire to the base metal, and the red wire to the board. The black wire was successful, and so I proceeded to doing the second step. Note: I had most of the flippy-looking cables plugged in still... unfortunately, I wish I didn't. I was in a rush, so I went ahead and tried to install the cable to the tinie-tiny small space in the board. When it made contact, the LED lit up, but my hands were very shaky, so the light had to flash. In a instant, I noticed a spark, then the phone turned off (I had to have it on due to the fact that I needed to see if the light was working.) I tried to restart it, but to no avail. That so, I plugged the phone to the wall using my Apple charger and it booted. I removed the plug, and it shuts off. One experiment I did was to try and listen to music with it, and that as well, nothing but blank. The controls for the phone is working fine, the lock button, the mute switch, volume control, home button, and the touch screen. I did notice that bar had been "Searching" for my service for a long time, and normally, this never happened. (All of the plugs were connected and secured again, even the transmitter plug.)

I have an idea that I may have damaged the battery, and the board. Or can anyone else please assist me with this too?

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I have a iphone 4 with a problem kind like the above problems. Prox. sensor quit working so got another one. I took the phone apart found out that the new sensor was the wrong one (go figure) so I put it back together & now the prox. sensor works BUT now it wont show the charge icon, wont be reconized by iTunes or comp. I verified that the cables are all fully plugged in, swapped batteries & charge port with known good parts. Still have the same problems WHY PLEASE HELP!!!!

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Franciozzy will be eternally grateful.
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