iPhone 4S Dock Connector

Mon problème

After I changed the battery in iPhone 4s, the phone would only work when connected to the wall charger. The new battery registered 48% and the lightning bolt says it is charging but it is not. As soon as it is unplugged from the wall charger, the phone turns off. It will not work at all when plugged into computer with USB cable. Phone does work when plugged into wall charger, but battery now down to 25%.

Ma solution

I ordered and replaced the dock connector, but still have the same problem. Someone suggested I have a ChargerIC problem, but I'm not sure how to repair that.

Mon conseil

Someone suggested that I have a Charger IC problem.

Mon problème

My phone had simply stop charging.

Ma solution

The repair was fairly easy. All I had to do is to follow the guide step by step and voila!

Mon conseil

The only advice I can give is to make sure you put the screw back at their proper location.

The system I use is simple,

If you have the plastic box with all compartments, number them , if not then print the steps.

On each step put the associated screw and parts beside the colour code. That way you always know exactly where each piece goes.

Mon problème

I really did not have to watch the repair guide. I phone was having issues with every type of plug to get it charged or to get the phone to recognize it was plugged in.

Ma solution

The repair went very easy. Replaced the used part, and the charge port worked just fine. The phone is working fine and is currently for sale.

Mon conseil

Just dig in and don't let the small parts scare you.

Mon problème

The iPhone had gotten water damage and Apple told me that they could replace the phone for $200. Doing the repair and getting a toolkit out of the whole thing was much less expensive.

Ma solution

The repair went very well, the iPhone is working afterwards as expected and the online manual was very helpful.

Mon conseil

1. The small p2 bit in the toolset is nice but I ended up using the smallest standard bit for the removal of almost all of the screws. The p2 bit wasn't that great at loosening and removing those screws in the iPhone... I think that this bit might need to be re-engineered.

2. I would really prefer if the whole set was Made in the USA. I almost didn't buy it because I couldn't tell where set was made and in the future I'll try my best to support American manufacturing, it's something that is important to me. For my other toolkit I use The Chapman Manufacturing Master Kit and all of those tools I feel are a bit higher quality: http://chapmanmfg.com/products/master-ki... (though not the right sizes to be doing electronics repair).

I would love to see you partner with them to make an electronics kit!

Mon problème

battery did not hold a charge well. Power cord would not connect without extensive wiggling and would lose the connection while transferring pictures and music.

Ma solution

The two repairs went well. The battery alone takes about 15 minutes. Dock connector took about an hour. The battery comes out again for the dock connector so might as well replace it at the same time if you need both parts.

Mon conseil

Take a good look at the pictures and be sure to use some method to remember which screws go where. I used small bowls for each different section. Look very carefully at the "retaining flap on the home button ribbon cable ZIF socket." It is very small and the pictures do not show it well. Also study how the ribbon fits into the socket and be careful. I used a 10X magnifying glass and it was still small and hard to see. The rest isn't too difficult but be careful as the parts are fragile. Also the new dock has a few pieces of tape over the new glued sections. Be sure to remove them as that is not actually specified in the instructions.

Mon problème

On our family vacation to Orlando, Fl, my iPhone 4s got so excited, it just wouldn't power down, much like children will do. The phone though, I think was damaged by a flimsy metal key ring that was in the rental car cup holder. After our first night there, it would not power down. It would turn off and immediately turn back on. Which seems to be a sign of a short in the Dock Connector. I did try all of the restore/reset/clean steps before resorting to trying the part.

Ma solution

I ordered a new Dock Connector while in Orlando and it was waiting for me when I got home. The repair went off without a hitch...as most have so far. Within a few minutes of closing up the back and charging the battery, it was back up and running. No more looping power struggles. This is not my first time in this particular iPhone either. I'm determined to keep it going and on-line as long as possible.

Mon conseil

If you have a smart phone, and it's "broken", don't toss it just because it's not working. Repairing them for the most part is pretty straight forward. Just take your time and review the instructions a few time. iFixit and others have posted many videos to get you through. I review iFixit's and at least one other repair process for all fixes. Besides, it's fun to keep an older phone running vs. buying $600 replacements.

Mon problème

the phone was not holding a charge

Ma solution

The teardown was not that difficult using my Pro tool set from iFixit. It took me about 15 minutes to get to the part and remove it. During the removal of the bad dock i noticed a flex cable pop out and did not really pay attention to it like I should. Placed everything back together and function tested the phone. The home button was not working. So, I torn the for down again and remembered to look at the home button flex cable. I found that I did not connect the home button flex cable this was the root cause of the home button malfunction. I but the phone back together and function tested and everything was working.

Mon conseil

Pay attention to the home button flex cable when removing the wifi cable and speakers. They would have saved 15 additional minutes during the repair but a good lesson learned to take my time.

Mon problème

Phone would not sync and battery run time was erratic at best.

Ma solution

1.2mm and 1.5mm are easy to take off but a royal pain in the a&& to put back on. Other than that, super smooth. iFixit guide was fantastic!

Mon conseil

Step 5 - small black ground clip. Although called out, maybe emphasize this WILL fall out as soon as the screw is removed.