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Replaced a faulty battery, now it won't charge?

The short version: After replacing my battery on an iPod 5G/Video (30Gb) which had a possible logicboard fault too the iPod is now completely dead.

(EDITED, originally the line mistakenly said not completely dead)

The detailed version:

I've a 30Gb 5th gen iPod. I got it as a slightly faulty hand-me-down from my brother when he upgraded; the problems were:

  • a short battery life (5 or 6 hours of music without using the equaliser)
  • nothing audible in the right earphone when using the 3.5mm jack
  • case scratches

I'd tested the iPod by using a dock connector adapter to listen to music from the rectrangular connector and after getting sound out of both earphones concluded the headphone jack might be faulty too.

Anyway, I ordered parts after the lack of a volume control and ever worsening battery life became a pain in the neck, and (perhaps rather foolishly installed) them all in one go (which has made diagnosing what's wrong a pain).

Replaced parts

  • clickwheel button
  • clickwheel
  • front casing
  • hold switch / earphone jack assembly
  • battery

Well needless to say something has gone wrong and here I am looking for clues.

Symptoms are

  • no sign of life when charged from an iPod charger, or USB cable. (Both cables are tested and known to work)
  • * No sign of recognition from disc utility when connected to my macbook
  • slightly audible cracking when I listen to the iPod when its charging though earphones (I was trying to determine if only the screen wasn't operational. Wishful thinking, but worth a shot I guess)

When I was taking it apart I noticed that the upper right of the metal chassis was fractured, and I'm now thinking it was more likely a logicboard problem than the headphone jack part.

Anyway, I felt I should ask if anyone has any ideas what else it could be, in case it could be something as simple as needing to leave a new battery charging for a few hours.

So... any ideas? Anyone?

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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Plenty of opportunities here :-) First thing I would try is to reinstall your old battery just to see if that makes a difference. There is always a possibility that your new battery is bad. Second thing I try is to take a multimeter and check the dock connector on your logic board for proper voltage. With your iPod plugged into a usb power source check pin 16 (-) and pin 25 (+) for 5 volts. If not, make sure you do not have any bend or corroded pins on the dock connector. Use the same multimeter and measure for voltage on your battery connector. Be careful, the clip that locks the cable in place needs to be pulled "gently" STRAIGHT UP. that beast has a tendency of breaking of the logic board if any kind of sideways force is applied. Trust me on that one, have a couple of busted logic boards in front of me:-) the voltage there should be around 3.3V your iPod battery will not charge if below 2.7-2.3V but you could try a firewire charger (that is the way I do it) to give it some extra oomph and see if it charges. the busted upper right of the chassis should not affect the logic board, but a good visual inspection might be in order as well. Also, with having replaced all those parts, make sure that all your connections are properly seated and that the clips are properly closed to hold the cables in place. Worst case scenario, with all the parts you already replaced, would be to get a new logic board. I replace those quite often since I do get the ones with the broken battery connector :-) anywhere from $38 to $70. Don't give up yet, those iPods are great to have and I prefer my 5th gen over my touch...:-) Good Luck and let us know how it is going.

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Thanks! Its going to be some time before I can get around to going over this, since repairing the iPods is a pet project, but there's a lot in her I hadn't thought of doing.

With the old battery entirely dead I think I may need to order a second replacement one to eliminate that as the fault, as well as a replacement plastic caphead for battery connector (used too much leverage opening it because I didn't find a suitably shaped hook tool to open it)

I'll definitely come back to this once I find the time to sit down with the tools, as the new case makes it look brand new. Well, from the front.

Again, thanks a lot on this, will report in when I've something new on it.

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Anthony B will be eternally grateful.
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