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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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iPhone 3G power button

I just took apart my iphone 3G to put a new back cover on it and I can't seem to get the power button to have the same tactile response as it did before.

Is there a video that shows how to reinstall that button properly or any tips?

It seems straight forward, but I don't know what I'm missing. I have the wire loop towards the bottom, not sure where else that would go...screw the micro switch back in to place, but when I press the button, it stays down instead of springing it back up.

Thanks

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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here is a picture of the part

Block Image

you can order the part here

but one little thing.

i might have had a few more iphones on my table - but i never had the described issue, i never had to glue the power button together.

if you destroyed the part - get a new one

but fitting it into the phone should be no problem at all

iPhone 3G and 3GS Power Button Image

Product

iPhone 3G and 3GS Power Button

$4.99

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Hello,

My power button is fine, I have just tried a few times to put the thing back together with the after market cover I bought on ebay and it's always not coming back to the proper position once I press down. Does anyone know of a good place to buy an original iphone 3G 16 GB black back cover?

Thanks!

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its a small piece of metal.. like a flat c. comes as one piece joined to the black plastic on the back of the metal outer switch. if it's missing you can get them cheaply.

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is it a "OEM" back cover or a genuine iphone cover ?

does the button go easily down?

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im having exact problem if anyone knows

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When you took it apart there should have been a small (about 2mm) black metal strip between the button and the switch. I'm pretty sure it was a spring, glued perpendicular to the button, pointing downwards, between the button itself and the wire loop. Gluing it back in in that position gave me the best results.

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I didn't see a spring of any kind...but that would make sense.

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I didn't see anything like that either. Just the black piece that the button area of the ribbon cable adheres to and that's it.

Update

I know this has been dormant for a while but I'll give my solution in case it's useful to anyone. My fix for this involves a razor blade and no new parts other thatn the new OEM housing that got you into this mess. The reason this happens is that OEM housings are typically all molded after the originals in white plastic. Then to get the desired color, they pain the housing (which you likely know if you own an aftermarket housing. That thin layer of paint around the edge of the hole that the on/off button goes into along with the camera lens hole and headphone jack hole is giving just a tiny amount of friction between the button going up and down. What I did was get a razor blade (Xacto knife will work too) and just slightly trimmed that layer of paint away from the inner rim. For the camera lens hole and the headphone jack hole I bought this tool at Harbor Freight (http://www.harborfreight.com/t-handle-re...) and it works amazing. Don't even apply pressure while turning it inside the hole and it will scrape that tiny bit of paint out and you'll be in good shape.

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I cut off a small piece of the foam pad on top of the #4 ribbon and glued that to the button on the ribbon that the actual power button presses against when you push it, and that seemed to do the trick and give it the right amount of tension.

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Can anyone post a pic? I have the exact same problem from disasembling and reassembling my iPhone. I'll be going into it again soon to try to fix and would like to have a better idea what to expect.

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Thanks Markus. think my problem was that the button wasnt seated properly when i rebuilt it last time.

Putting it back together for a 2nd time, the button works great.

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Justin,

I too was having trouble with the power botton on a aftermarket case back. When i was assembling it the first time, no matter what i tried I couldnt get the original springy feedback... the button would just recess and not come back up.

On a recent separate occasion, i tried again and now it works fine. Since you are using a aftermarket back, as I am, there are no guarantees but you might want to try the following.

Though the button looks symetical, there may be a proper orientation. You may have it upside down.

May be worth a shot before getting another case back.

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I don't have an answer. I have a question. My power button doesn't have a retracting problem. In fact. that aspect of it works fine. My problem is that it doesn't turn my 3g iPhone on or off. Is there a ribbon in the set up that could have gone bad and if so, is it available. Help me please

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Here are a few tips to getting the button to protrude the case correctly and getting the correct tactile feel.

1) make sure the button you push fits and moves freely inside case slot. I check the fit by inserting button from outside of case to check button engages all the way to button stop lip and can move in and out.

2) try pushing stop button on flex cable by itself with thumb and fore finger. It should have the correct feel.

3) very important! Make sure stop button (on flex cable) has the raised bump, in the clear button cover, is in the center of the button metal disk. If it is not then peel the clear button cover back and put it so raised bump is in the center metal disk.

4) put it all together and you should be good.

5) if button you push sinks when pushed and does not come back out. Then you might have to shim face of the button where it pushes the flex cable button. I use very small piece of electrical tape.

I hope this helps, I have had lots of problems fitting the stop buttons so they feel like they should. That's why I have so many tips. lol

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Justin will be eternally grateful.
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