Bad cell reception after replacing LCD, golden prong issue?
My iphone 3GS recently was dropped in a parking lot and possibly run over. Anyway, when I got it, it didn't look so hot, but it would ring when you called it, so I replaced the LCD and Touch screen per your instructions and parts and everything went smooth and looked good.
After using it a few days, however, I noticed that the cell reception was horrible, even when it indicated full bars and a signal. Everything else works fine (GPS, wifi etc), just the phone and 3G signal. I can sporadically get it to work, but it usually fails, sometimes after making an ugly garbled static-like sound. I opened it back up, re-checked all the cable connections and everything looked good. Also made sure the #7 cable was securely connected.
I've read some of the boards and it sounds like an issue with the "golden prong" . From what I've read, this prong is supposed to connect to the Bezel to ground the antenna. I found what I believe is the "golden prong", on the underside of the screen when you first open the case. I don't visibly see where it connect to the bezel (am I supposed to be able to?), and there don't appear to be any good close-up photos of this here, but the images I've seen in some of the repair instructions and break-downs seem to be the same as what I see on mine. I'm not sure how far out the prongs are supposed to extend, but they seem like they are supposed to contact 2 metal squares that sit opposite them when you close the case. I have pics if I can find a place to post them here. I think some good pics of this area would be helpful to others having a similar issue. Any recommendations for testing or checking this, or other thoughts on another likely cause of the bad reception?
Is this a good question?