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JBL Flip 4 portable speaker. IPX7 waterproof bluetooth dual driver speaker that won the CES Innovation Award 2017.

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Removing Swollen Battery from JBL Flip 4

My Flip 4’s battery went kaput. I researched how to swap the battery, purchased a replacement and was doing great until I realized that the original battery has swelled to the point that I’ve not been able to remove it.

In trying to remove it, the wiring harness ripped off and a little fire started!

I have a certified JBL repair facility two blocks away, but was hoping to get this done myself.

What’s a safe way to remove a swollen battery from a Flip 4?

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The exact same thing happened to me. I'm totally unable to remove the battery. Such a loss!

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Same happened to me. Great answer below.

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the battery in mine was swollen to the point getting it out is IMPOSSIBLE. I have to trash this unit. LESSON: on the first sign of battery wear, CHECK and replace sooner rather than later.

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I had the same issue. What I was able to do was to remove the other side speaker and move the charging port a bit to allow a number 2 pencil (eraser side… there are other things I could of used but this was right at my side when I got to this) to be pushed against the bottom side of the battery. It still took a good push but it came out.

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Thank you, Dee! Saved my butt :)

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Push it instead of pulling it. you can do that by accessing the bottom of the battery behind the charging port. remove charging port first and then you are free to push it.. i pushed it using the short edge of an allen wrench. Just avoid puncturing it while pushing.

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Yok Yok! You sir, are a GENIUS! Many thanks for the advice on removing the charging port. Last week when I opened it up I couldn't see the battery from that angle because of the charging port. Now I just need to get the replacement battery...

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I was ready to throw out, couldn't see the bottom end bc of charging port. And was getting fire sparks when using tools from top down. Used the rubber coated handle of a wrench to slowly push it out from the bottom as far as could go, and then had enough to latch on with hand and wiggle rest out. Just saved $60 in buying a new one, compared to the cost of a new battery.

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bought replacement battery but the removal of bloated battery stuck inside, original battery stuck after cables got ripped out.

carefully read YOK YOK (THANKS !!!) managed to carefully dislodge the charging casement cover and cables, use a test pen to gently pushed the battery out, the base of battery looked like its part of battery enclosure but it not, some flat white wiring visible so push with care. Thanks Again YY!

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I used a plastic coated phillips head screwdriver and it took almost all of my might and it was fine. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else but I took the chance and it was fine. Thanks!

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Thanx for the tip! Totally got it out but was not aware I was also pushing on a ribbon cable, I thought it was just more of that black tejp I had to remove all around some stuff (not seen in the youtube guides). Well..... Now that is ripped and I'll have to find a replacement, but the battery is out at least. Let this be a warning for others not to do my mistake.

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Kyle Petrozza  the worst “the wiring harness ripped off and a little fire started” is over. Use a small spudger or hook and try to remove the rest of the battery. After that discard the battery properly depending on your state/county etc.

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There is still a chance of flare up though, correct? If the metal end of a spudger or needle-nose pliers gets into the guts of the battery, it'll react, no?

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Kyle Petrozza I'd be more concert with humidity than a metal tool. Lithium can react violently with water. Use some common sense and you'll be fine. No explosion, no swelling since it is already punctured

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I used the largest bit I had that fit into my iFixit Driver. For me, it was the 5.5mm nut driver.

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Pushing from behind ist the way to go! Most important, be careful not to damage the battery too much and don’t use a metallic tool. If you manage to short circuit th battery it could mean the end of your device and maybe more. A hard piece of wood with a flat end would be best as a tool. For me, a chopstick did it.

Remove the four screws that hold down the USB connector assembly and push it out a little to get better access to the back of the battery. There is no need to disconnct the cable! Then place the Flip at the edge of a table so the battery can slip out when you hammer it down. In my case, it needed lots of force. It would have been impossible to get the battery out just by pulling!

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I used rubber coated handle of wrench. Try to use something sturdy that is plastic or rubber and “not sharp” at the point of pressure. May need alot of strength in pressure to push out.

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Well that was fun. Not! Bloated battery. Got it out by force (blunt tool to the back of the battery and a hammer to push it out)! Givning birth is easier!! Well… one of the cables to the USB charger was probably disconnected, even if I tried to reset them. Now I have a dead JBL Flip 4 and I’m !#^&@@.

Maybe once the steam has worn off, I’ll try to figure out how to find any tools to see if I can get the USB charger hooked up. But then again, it might just be a wasted amount of money for a new battery and now a new Flip 4. Anyway, it’s dead as a door nail.

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I feel your pain. As much as I loved my flip 4, I now have a soundcore motion+ which is decent for the money. For repairability, it seems much better to me now if a speaker is powered by 18650 cells instead of lithium polymer batteries.

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I just took my battery out using a pair of long nose pliers forced them a short distance closed them tightly and it slid without any trouble

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How do I removing the charging port? Mesa Mess

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Yeah, well, I got the battery pushed out just fine. But now I have NO CLUE how I am going to plug the three short cable back into the charging port portion. There are two cables specifically that a so short, I have no idea if I'll be able to get enough slack from them to plug them back into the charging port piece. Man. I was so close.

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So had the whole swollen battery issue with my Flip4. Would not budge and battery cable ripped off. So glad I found this thread. Removed second end cap, removed the 4 screws holding the charge jack in place, then fabricated something to hammer the battery out from opposite end.

Got an old plastic toothbrush, sawed off the brush end and flattened that out. then ground and filed the handle to be stick stiff enough to take a hammering, but just thin & narrow enough to fit in the end.

Used a small hobby hammer and knocked it out in seconds.

Old battery very swollen, possibly from overcharging, and maybe high temps outside when playing. Clearly the reason why battery life was complete $@$*.

Looking forward to cranking it in the buggy at next round of golf.

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Had the same problem if you pull on the connector to remove a battery and it does not want to budge stop there before you tear out the connector . Pushing from the bottom is a good idea I just changed my battery it was swollen however that is not what seams to hold the battery in as much as the sticky label . Gave a quick shot of wd 40 down the sides of the battery let is soak down 15 min . I used a very thin machinest ruler and gently slid it down both sides being carefully not to damage the battery. When I seen the battery can move a little then I gentle wiggled it out .

No worries if a little wd 40 will not damage electronics if a little splashes on the board . I just wipe the inside of the battery holder before putting the new battery in .

Don't over soak the area.

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Kyle Petrozza will be eternally grateful.
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