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Revamped version of the iPhone 3G with faster processing speeds. Repair of this device is similar to the 3G, and requires simple screwdrivers and prying tools. Model A1303 / 8, 16 or 32 GB capacity / black or white plastic back.

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I broke the thin copper dohicky

The copper conductor that attaches near the connector 7. It sticks out from the logic board and makes contact somewhere on the case of the phone.

I didn't pay much attention to where it goes or what it connects to.

If someone could open up their phone and take a high resolution extreme closeup picture of the proper placement of this 'dohickey' I'd appreciate it.

I've tinned a bit of copper wire and soldered that in place of the copper conductor but I'm not sure if its supposed to go underneath the silver part of the case or slide up and touch the frame of the lcd or wherever.

Thank you,

Dayna.

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Hi, Can you add a picture/screenshot please? Thanks :-)

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I think the problem is a cold solder join.

when I went to take a picture of it I noticed its pretty gobbed on.

I'm using silver solder so it should have good conductivity. I'll get back to you later tonight.

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oh and I don't know how to add a picture.

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k. not a cold solder join. not sure what to try next.

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The two copper pins including the one you are discussing need to make contact with the Bezel. The Bezel is the large silver metal ring that goes around the entire iPhone.

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K. It took me a while. I ordered the parts and waited and waited until I was sure my waiting gene was gonna burn out.

I finally got them and finished the repair.

I put it all back together and signal level was still ultra low. I'd braided 4 copper wires together and then tinned them using silver solder. I figured this would solve the problem and allow me to ground to the outside of the bezel again.

It solved nothing. I thought about it and worried that I'd created a brick. Finally on a whim while doing the girlie sport of shopping in a dollar store!!! Whoohooo! I came across some picture hanging steel wire. I made a very small coil at one end of a piece about 1cm long and soldered the coil to the pad where the small copper big that broke off was. I then bent the steel wire so as to create a sping that would hold it up against the bottom edge of the bezel.

I put it all back together and I have strong signal. Yay dayna!!! Whoo hoo!

Tomorrow we go to phone company and transfer service back to it.

Dayna.

ps. A word of warning to anyone attempting any repair that involves moving the circuit board... the flat little copper bit that sticks out and contacts the bezel at connector #7 is FRAGILE!!

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k. final thing to say on this subject. I replaced the copper dohicky for $20 at my local Iphone repair place and it fixed nothing. The copper dohicky does not effect reception at all. My phone remains in reception hello!

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On top, you're probably ok with tinning it - it does play a pretty big role in the reception you get, have you noticed a difference?

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yes. very low signal reception

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could be a cold solder join. I'll redo it tonight.

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that copper piece provides continuity from the logic board to the battery if i am understanding you correctly.

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Dayna, make sure none of the inductors near the #7 connector are missing or broken off. This would cause a bad reception as well. That copper prong doesn't do much.

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you can get a replacement antenna coil for iphone 3GS here

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Dayna will be eternally grateful.
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