7
Score
martin
1.3k
Asked
iPhone 4 camera faulty flickering SOLVED!
SOLVED, READ ANSWER FOR INFO.
Hey guys
I have got an iPhone that i have just repaired (very badly damaged digitiser/LCD) and during testing i have realised the camera function has stopped working. When i open up the camera app, the rear camera loads and works, however when i switch to the front camera, the "retina" stays closed and the "camera-video" switch on the bottom right starts to flicker.
After that happens i am totally unable to use the camera function unless I disconnect the battery completely and reset the iPhone. This isn't the first iPhone this has happened to. It is not a firmware issue as i have restored it several times, and i am also aware that due to the iPhone being damaged this could also be the cause. Just want to know if there is a fix for this issue?
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Update - I have reset the iPhone for the second time and now the camera does not work full stop. fun times.
Update 2 - I have restored with custom firmware, opened up camera app, rear camera works however once i switched to the front camera it decided to **** itself again.
Update 3 - Just realised that it is still under warranty so I will get the person to take the phone to apple to get it replaced for free.
Update 4 - Just got back from the Apple store, had to wait 20 mins and a brand new iPhone was sitting in my pocket :)
Summary
For any issues with anything regarding a firmware issue the first things to do is to restore (custom and iTunes firmware). After you have done that and the issue has not been resolved you should move to part replacement (if it is regarding the camera app not functioning properly or a similar issue). If you have replaced the part up to three times and it is still not working (yes it is necessary to replace up to three times, sometimes you will replace a faulty part with another faulty part, the glories of technology) then you will have to assume the logic board has been damaged in some way.
Resolution
Take back to apple and let them deal with it :) Because the genius's at the genius bar's are so short on time they physically do not have the time to open up the iPhone and check to see if it has been tampered with. All they will do is check the liquid indicator and if it has not been set off and the fault still purists with them then you will get a replacement no questions asked.
5
Score
martin
1.3k
Answered
Accepted Answer
This will solve your problem! Everyone behold the long awaited mystery now revealed!
After countless hours of research, diagnosing and frustration i have finally found the reason as to why this happens. All credit goes to jamesjerss from gsmindia for this solution.
Below are two images of a very small capacitor responsible for the correct functionality of the iPhone.
Functional Capacitor (working camera)
Non-Functional Capacitor (non working camera)
jamesjerss Photo
Now the reason that you will get a faulty camera every once in a while is because this capacitor has become eroded over time, making it more susceptible to damage when you are removing the connection above it (evident in picture above for non working capacitor). As you can see there is a lot of dust/debree inside the phone. Your only solution is to re-solder that capacitor or get the entire iPhone replaced. Hope this helps guys!
Link to Jamesjerss post- http://www.gsmindia.in/forum/apple-iphon...
1
Score
stellarola
13
Answered
Martin,
Great info! In case the solder pads are gone you can also create a new jumper using thin gauge wire on these two alternate contact points shown in this picture:
Cheers
I found the problem thank you very much :) but how to fix it now..wat u mean by make a jumper@_@ help me plz do i need to replace new motherboard>??
Tony,
0
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Kim
35
Answered
0
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Paul
79
Answered
0
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John
207
Answered
0
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Bobo
1
Answered
0
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Answered
i know this is an old post but what if you opened the iphone and everything and you take it to the Genius center will they charge you ? and how much? i dont have warranty on my iphone so i would like to know if i need to pay (anything less then $150 would be nice)
kenny,
I had the same think happen to me. Just take it to the Apple store no question ask and they replaced it. just explain to them your camera when out and would like to get a new one, total cost $0.
Romad,
I had this (almost) same problem, the switch was flickering and the retna did not open... (didn't try custom firmware, or switching to front camera). anyways i started switching cameras with other phones and seemed that the phone was breaking every camera that i put in the phone... any ways i got the other phones to work again with replacements but never got the original phone to work with a camera again.
Ryan,
nice find Martin...Maybe you should post it as an answer so it can be accepted as a solution? Might get more "hits" for people with camera failure after repair. If you had a better photo you could try adding it as a repair guide...I think that would be very very helpful!
pollytintop,