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4-inch iPhone released in March 2016 with similar hardware specifications to the 6S. Available in Silver, Space Grey, Gold, or Rose Gold with 16/32/64/128 GB storage options. Model: A1662 and A1723

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FPC connector not clipping back in

Hello,

I recently replaced the battery on a water logged iPhone SE. Before replacing the battery the phone would charge up but would rapidly reduce and die within 15 mins.

I replaced the battery and when putting the phone back together one of the FPC connectors would refuse to clip together. I have added an image to show the connector in question.

Does anyone know what action I should take so I can get this connector to clip in?

Thanks

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Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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If your phone is waterlogged, then you should be dealing with that before powering it with a replacement battery. With water damage, you have to decontaminate the logic board before doing anything else, otherwise there will be latent issues down the road even if it does power up at first.

The water is inside the phone, on the logic board and under the shields, even under the IC's. The real problem is the mineral deposits that can cause short circuits or the corrosion that is taking place as the water evaporates. Leaving the power on the device accelerates the process. The longer you let a phone sit, the more time you are giving corrosion to damage your logic board. The saltier or harder the water is, the more damage will occur. The water needs to be displaced, not evaporated.

The proper way treat a wet phone is to do the following:

  • Open your phone and remove the logic board (follow this guide)
  • Inspect the logic board, especially around the connectors and look for corrosion.
  • Inspect both sides of the board. Unfortunately, most of the board is covered in shields. That's usually where the damage is occurring.
  • Put your board in a container with >90% isopropyl alcohol and let it sit for a while.
  • Use a soft brush, like a toothbrush and lightly brush away any corrosion you see.
  • Rinse in alcohol and repeat.
  • Let it air dry for a day.
  • Re-assemble and hope for the best.

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1 Comment:

For some reason that connector seems to be quite regularly mistreated on the SE. Besides the preliminary water damage procedure you mentioned I'm afraid the connector itself will need to be replaced too.

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Hi Niall,

Have a look at the connector, and the connecting part underneath a microscope, or even a magnifier glass. Make sure that none of the pins are bent, and check that none of the connectors have any pieces stuck. Often enough, upon a tear down, people tent to bend some of the pins or get fibers stuck on the connectors or pins, which will not allow you to completely secure the connectors down.

If there are any fibers, grab a cotton bud/q-tip, and carefully tap this along to connector. The q-tip will pick up any fibers that are stuck. If there are any broken pins, carefully try and straighten these out with a pair of tweezers (THIS IS A VERY DELICATE PART SO BE CAREFUL).

Kind regards,

Kyle

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Hi Kyle,

Is is very informative. Thank you very much. I will try this when I get home from work and let you know how I get on.

Thanks

Niall

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How did you get on Niall?

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Niall Fuller will be eternally grateful.
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