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Larger version of the Nintendo DSi, released March 2010 in North America. Most repairs are accomplished with only a screwdriver and prying tools.

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touch screen cable ZIF broken!

Curses, rats, drats, and other expletives not suitable for publishing here --

Step 7 of replace hinges -- and the freaking touchscreen cable ZIF retaining flap goes flying.

OK, can't do anything about that now -- except when I do the backlight cable ZIF connector, the same thing happens! Have you ever tried to locate these puppies?

Now what? Any ideas/clues/hints/prayers?

Much obliged -- My son is going to KILL me if I don't fix this!

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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here's hoping that John has cracked the code...if not, Gorilla Tape, here I come!

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I have confirmed through measurements and aligning the replacement part over the original parts that the ZIF connector for the digitizer/touchscreen on the Nintendo DS Lite, DSi and DSi XL can be replaced with the same part. The ZIF connector for the DSi and DSi XL backlight can also be changed with that part.

The aftermarket replacement part I have been using to replace the P6 on the DS Lite is slightly different in design than the original ZIF. All of the offerings I have seen of this ZIF are of the style I have been purchasing. The retaining flap is incorporated slightly different on this connector than the original one. It may or may not transfer. I have never tried and at this point have enough of the original flaps to cover my needs.

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Insofar as changing the retaining flap, with an original type: It is best to work on a clean table, in a room without carpeting. This piece is very tiny and delicate. I use sharp tweezers to hold it. I use a small jewelers flat head screwdriver to slightly bend the 4 pins/prongs/contacts up slightly, because they are in the same plane as the sides of the connector. This gives a little room to slide the holes of the flap around the 4 pins/prongs/contacts and to get the dog ears on the flap into the slots on the connectors base. Then I lock the flap and gently press the 4 prongs/connectors back down with the jewelers flat head screwdriver used before. 25% of the time I replace the retaining flap I break one of the prongs/contacts or the flap itself. If I break the flap I try again with another one. If I break one of the pins/prongs/contacts I remove the bad piece and solder in the replacement ZIF. Soldering one of these in requires above average soldering skills and the right equipment.

If you do a search on eBay for the p6 connector on eBay you will find the part as cheap or cheaper than you will get it from Newark Electronics, when you include shipping into the costs. I would suggest buying more of them than you need, to save on shipping if something goes wrong the first time. There are a few reputable vendors on eBay that offer this repair for less than the price of a new logic board.

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Your experience and input is greatly appreciated! thanks for the info!

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OK, forgive me if I'm slow....

What part are we talking about? I saw John's comment, but are we talking about the part he refers to at Newark electronics, or a different part ordered elsewhere?

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If you do a search on eBay for the p6 connector on eBay you will find the part as cheap or cheaper than you will get it from Newark Electronics, when you include shipping into the costs. I would suggest buying more of them than you need, to save on shipping if something goes wrong the first time. There are a few reputable vendors on eBay that offer this repair for less than the price of a new logic board.

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So, I have the same problem with my 3ds. and I after much research, I think I finally found the part... http://www.newark.com/molex/501461-0401/...

this is for the whole part that the touchpad ribbon cable goes into, and while I certainly don't need the whole part, it's $1.08 on this site, and I can just pull the retaining flap off.

I know there's no picture, but I found it through molex.com . See this site here for an image.

http://www.molex.com/molex/products/data...

Note: I am going to order this, and see if it really IS the right part. I will be back to let you know! :)

Update

Just stopping by to verify. I received the 6 that I ordered from newark, and they indeed ARE the correct part.

They are VERY tough to get back in. I found it helps to raise the upper contacts using a small flathead screwdriver, so you can get the piece on easier. I broke 1 out of the 4 upper contacts while trying to put it back on... although, I still got the part on the remaining 3, and my 3ds touchscreen still works with no problems. After getting it on the upper contacts, I could rotate the flap closed like normal, and it snapped in nicely, and holds the touchpad ribbon tight.

Note: I ordered 6, and broke 3 before the 4th worked! So, yes, order extra! they're tiny little flaps.

From what i've noticed, my NDS Lite uses the same connector for the touchpad, so I assumed the other models would as well.

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davehightower will be eternally grateful.
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