Skip to main content

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.

1158 Questions View all

Ribbon 3 / FPC Connector broken?

Hi everyone,

I think I just messed up a part of my iPhone 3G.

I tried to replace the battery (which worked) but there is a problem with ribbon 3 and its connector.

It looks excatly like this now:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/272984/iPhone_br...

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/272984/iPhone_br...

The whole connector crumbled away (whit part); I still have the black part (which is normally flipping), but not attached yet.

So, the internal ear-speaker and the proximity and light-sensors are not working.

The problem: Whats the broken part? Do I have to remove the FPC Connector or just the cable / ribbon 3? And how to do this? I already found cable and the connector on eBay, but I have not idea how to attach it. Do I have to solder it?

Thanks in advance,

Martin

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Score -1
Add a comment

8 Answers

Chosen Solution

I can repair this. You have to remove the old connector and solder on a new one. I have the repair detailed on my blog.

Was this answer helpful?

Score 1

3 Comments:

Great work Hector! you sure know what you're doing

by

Thanks ED209,

To address the post above, please do NOT use super glue. I can tell you why... IT IS A NIGHTMARE to fix if you do. Pics of said nightmare in my blog

http://hectordtruong.blogspot.com/

by

good post :)

by

Add a comment
Most Helpful Answer

so hector you are god, read your post, did not say anything about how to solve this problem other than send the phone to you. REALLY! so only you can fix it and of course you will make sure no one else knows how so you can make own this problem and make good profit out it.

Glad we have such a nice tech as you. thanks so much for share ill make sure send you a picture when am done fixing mine. who knows maybe tomorrow I can start bragging just like you.

Thanks for the push

PAtx

Was this answer helpful?

Score 2

2 Comments:

I dont put up a how to because Ive seen way too many phones screwed up by people trying to do it themselves. if youre able to do it yourself then more power to you. you can then make a guide yourself then.

by

completely agree with Chris, I understood the trick about the glue is just to keep the ribbon and the port making contact, again this is just a trick.

Thanks for explain it for our supertech.

O as a note I just finish fixing mine today, it was a pain in the A's but after purchase the replacement part on ebay for $4.50 and get a really good magnified glass I was able to weld the new port to the board. This is a really complicate job and it takes time.

If you decide to do it I will recommend start with the right side corner pin and then do the opposite left side so the port sinks on the boar in a even way.

Good luck hector. cheers

by

Add a comment

Hi,

search somebody like a TV and Radio technician and ask him to solder a new connector in place.

Was this answer helpful?

Score 0

4 Comments:

You DO NOT want to use glue. Glue wicks EVERYWHERE and it makes my job 10x harder. It burns out my iron, and creates a mess.

by

Why would you even recommend something so ridiculous in the first place? Glue is not conductive, and not a "FIX" for electronic connectors/components. Ive seen NOTHING but bad and damaged boards due to super glue.

by

No one has to send anything to me, in fact I don't solicit anything anymore because I do not want to ruin the whole idea of DIY. I have been only offering tips and realistic advice to people here on Ifixit. I've made a guide that many people have used. And all of my tips are from experience, not idiotic guesses like, "try superglue." If anything, that is the worse possible thing a person can use to fix any electronic device. Its for fake nails, not iphones/ipods.

by

boys, boys, boys! first this is an answer from a year ago so calm down. Hector linked to his blog I think to show how tricky this is, you can do this yourself just like any soldering repair but by heckythump it's not easy. secondly this is not the sort of connector where superglue could or would work. so. Lets let the sleeping dogs lie, agree not to link to our posts (which hector doesn't do any more :-) ) and that superglue has no place in electronic repairs. then the 2 of you can edit your posts to make it all civilised here again. xxxx

by

Add a comment

good post :)

Was this answer helpful?

Score 0
Add a comment

Great work Hector! you sure know what you're doing

Was this answer helpful?

Score 0
Add a comment

Thanks ED209,

To address the post above, please do NOT use super glue. I can tell you why... IT IS A NIGHTMARE to fix if you do. Pics of said nightmare in my blog

http://hectordtruong.blogspot.com/

Was this answer helpful?

Score 0
Add a comment

completely agree with Chris, I understood the trick about the glue is just to keep the ribbon and the port making contact, again this is just a trick.

Thanks for explain it for our supertech.

O as a note I just finish fixing mine today, it was a pain in the A's but after purchase the replacement part on ebay for $4.50 and get a really good magnified glass I was able to weld the new port to the board. This is a really complicate job and it takes time.

If you decide to do it I will recommend start with the right side corner pin and then do the opposite left side so the port sinks on the boar in a even way.

Good luck hector. cheers

Was this answer helpful?

Score 0
Add a comment

The best guy for this repair is on eBay. Way better quality than anyone else. His price is super good to

Was this answer helpful?

Score 0

1 Comment:

How would you know? Bet you have not sent anything to "him". You are a lame spammer....

by

Add a comment

Add your answer

Martin Weber will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 0

Past 30 Days: 0

All Time: 22,509