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iPhone 3G Vibrator Replacement

What you need

  1. iPhone 3G Vibrator Replacement, Broken Glass: step 1, image 1 of 3 iPhone 3G Vibrator Replacement, Broken Glass: step 1, image 2 of 3 iPhone 3G Vibrator Replacement, Broken Glass: step 1, image 3 of 3
    • If your display glass is cracked, keep further breakage contained and prevent bodily harm during your repair by taping the glass.

    • Lay overlapping strips of clear packing tape over the iPhone's display until the whole face is covered.

    • This will keep glass shards contained and provide structural integrity when prying and lifting the display.

    • Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from any glass shaken free during the repair.

  2. iPhone 3G Vibrator Replacement, Vibrator: step 2, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the two Phillips #00 screws from the dock-connector end of the iPhone.

  3. iPhone 3G Vibrator Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the metal handle from the suction cup. It's easier and safer to grip the suction cup's base instead of the metal handle.

    • Be very careful when opening the iPhone so that the cables under the display are not severed.

    • There is a rubber gasket between the silver front bezel and black display assembly. A bit of force is required in this step to separate the iPhone's display assembly.

    • Use a small suction cup near the Home button to gently pull up the bottom portion of the iPhone's display assembly.

    • If the display assembly is too damaged to allow the suction cup to adhere, tape with a strong adhesive such as duct tape may be used.

  4. iPhone 3G Vibrator Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1
    • The display assembly is still connected to the iPhone by several cables, so don't try to remove it entirely just yet.

    • Rotate the display assembly up until it is at an angle of approximately 45 degrees.

  5. iPhone 3G Vibrator Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1
    • Continue to hold the display assembly with one hand, and use your other hand and a spudger to disconnect the black ribbon cable labeled "1."

  6. iPhone 3G Vibrator Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1
    • Rotate the display assembly up until it is roughly vertical. This will allow easier access for disconnecting the remaining cables.

    • Use a spudger to disconnect the black ribbon cable labeled "2."

  7. iPhone 3G Vibrator Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1
    • Use a spudger to flip up the white plastic hinged flap holding the remaining ribbon cable in place. The white tab will rotate up 90 degrees, releasing the ribbon cable.

    • This flap may be black or white. Be sure you are flipping up the hinged flap, not the socket itself.

    • Slide the black ribbon cable out of its connector, and remove the display assembly from the iPhone.

  8. iPhone 3G Vibrator Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1
    • Insert your SIM eject tool or a paper clip into the hole next to the headphone jack.

    • Press down on the tool until the SIM card tray pops out.

    • Grasp the SIM card tray and slide it out of the iPhone.

  9. iPhone 3G Vibrator Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1
    • Use a spudger to disconnect the ribbon cable labeled "4."

  10. iPhone 3G Vibrator Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1
    • Use a spudger to disconnect the ribbon cable labeled "5."

  11. iPhone 3G Vibrator Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 iPhone 3G Vibrator Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2
    • Use a spudger to disconnect the ribbon cable labeled "6."

    • If you have an iPhone 3GS, refer to picture 2 and use a spudger to disconnect the ribbon cable labeled "7."

  12. iPhone 3G Vibrator Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 1
    • Carefully peel up the small sticker labeled "Do not remove."

  13. iPhone 3G Vibrator Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the following 8 screws:

    • Five 2.3 mm Phillips #00 screws with partial threads securing the logic board to the rear panel.

    • Two 2.3 mm Phillips #00 screws with full threads securing the logic board and camera.

    • One 2.9 mm Phillips #00 screw from beneath the "Do not remove" sticker.

  14. iPhone 3G Vibrator Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 1
    • Use a spudger to gently remove the camera retaining clip, (formerly secured by the removed screw) and gently pry the camera up and out of its housing in the rear panel. The camera cannot be removed entirely yet because it's connected to the bottom of the logic board.

  15. iPhone 3G Vibrator Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 1
    • Use a spudger to gently pry up the end of the logic board closest to the dock connector.

    • If the board won't lift up, double check to make sure all the screws securing the logic board have been removed.

  16. iPhone 3G Vibrator Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 1
    • Slide the logic board towards the dock connector and out of the iPhone.

  17. iPhone 3G Vibrator Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the two Phillips #00 screws securing the vibrator to the rear panel.

    • These screws are smaller diameter than all the others. Make sure you don't mix them up with the other screws. On reassembly, only these two screws will fit.

  18. iPhone 3G Vibrator Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 1
    • Lift the vibrator up and out of the iPhone.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

54 other people completed this guide.

iRobot

Member since: 09/24/09

1 Reputation

636 Guides authored

5 Comments

After you are done with the replacement and get everything back in place, hard reset the phone as it is the only way to turn it on.

VAMSIPUNNA - Reply

I have just successfully replaced the motor, remarkably straightforward (though in parts very fiddly), and an excellent guide up to step 6.

Couple of tips -

Step 2: The screen really comes up with a jerk, I actually pulled off a connector with the initial separation and was very lucky nothing broke. Be very gentle with the initial separation.

Step 6: The white/black parts were reversed on mine, I guess it's fairly random. But all you need to know is that you very carefully flip up the smaller section, whichever colour it may be.

At this point, I had access to the motor so I tried my luck. It came out, and the next one went in, with great ease. You do not need to go any further than step 6 to do this fix. The small section of the motor still covered just slides out with a gentle tug, and my replacement is working fine.

analhamster - Reply

After step 6, you can replace the vibration motor by loosening the two screws. You can then tilt the motor from below the motherboard. All the other steps are unnecessary.

I just replaced a 3GS vibration motor with a 3G vibration motor, and yes, it works.

Eur van Andel - Reply

apple 3g ear speaker is not working

Birendra Pradsad Chaudhary - Reply

thank you so much

Limenha Kediro - Reply

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