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Help Dropped my Gnex, acting strange

jhonb

jhonb

Android Enthusiast
I dropped my gnex (GSM) yesterday am. Short drop, phone looked fine, but last night when I went to charge it, the little battery icon did not show it was charging. I then plugged it into my computer and it did not recognize my device. So I shut it off and plugged it into the charger and the screen stayed black. When I got up this AM I turned it on, it was charged 100% (From 35% when I plugged it in)

So after using it for a while, I plugged it back in and that usually wakes the phone, but it did not. But it did charge the phone, and again, the battery icon or my battery widget indicates it is not charging.

What is going on?

Time for something new?
 
probably just jolted the USB port on the phone. They are notoriously weak/flimsy. Once its loose you run into all sorts of situations where it won't charge, will show USB when on AC, won't wake up when plugged in, etc. You can replace it yourself supposedly or pay for a repair if you like to spend money.
 
Tim K said:
probably just jolted the USB port on the phone. They are notoriously weak/flimsy. Once its loose you run into all sorts of situations where it won't charge, will show USB when on AC, won't wake up when plugged in, etc. You can replace it yourself supposedly or pay for a repair if you like to spend money.
Click to expand...

Thanks Tim, where would I get it repaired? What kind of place would I look for? Through Samsung?
any Idea how much it would cost?

I have had it 13 months. I looked around today for something to replace it and to be honest, I didn't see anything worth upgrading to.
 
Looks like I can buy the usb power part on eBay for 8 bucks and after looking at a video on YouTube, it does not look too hard to fix it. I just might try this myself if someone want's too much money.

Thanks for steering me in the right direction.

Anyone out there ever switched out one of these?


Galaxy Nexus Screen Repair and Charging Port Fix - YouTube
 

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I haven't switched it, but from what I've watched, as long as you're not reckless with the tools, they are pretty straightforward to replace. If you're out of warranty (assuming you didn't mention WHY it stopped charging properly to warranty services, and it doesn't show signs of a drop), then you're likely looking at $100+ or more if you send it to Samsung, I'm sure. And at that point, I'd rather spend 30 or whatever, and attempt it myself. Successful, you saved money. If not, you're gonna end up spending money to Samsung anyway, so it was worth a shot. As for anyone local, you're probably looking around 50-100 at any local do it shop, not counting parts anyway.
 
CharlzO said:
I haven't switched it, but from what I've watched, as long as you're not reckless with the tools, they are pretty straightforward to replace. If you're out of warranty (assuming you didn't mention WHY it stopped charging properly to warranty services, and it doesn't show signs of a drop), then you're likely looking at $100+ or more if you send it to Samsung, I'm sure. And at that point, I'd rather spend 30 or whatever, and attempt it myself. Successful, you saved money. If not, you're gonna end up spending money to Samsung anyway, so it was worth a shot. As for anyone local, you're probably looking around 50-100 at any local do it shop, not counting parts anyway.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I just got off the phone with Samsung. I got my phone from a web site called onesaleaday. Apparently this phone was sold in Brazil. And if I want it serviced I have to contact Samsung Brazil..... Ha ha. Yes, it's out of warranty by a month and no, there is no sign of damage. But it does not matter.

I think I am going to order the part and a set of cell phone tools (The pry bar anyway) and have a go at it. I can fire up my iphone 4 in the mean time if the battery stops charging. But I am an old fart, and my step replaced the screen on his, so maybe I will fedex it to him.

Thanks again.
 
I just ordered the cable for the Verizon version. I'll report back on the repair and whether it solves my charging problems.
 
Tim K said:
I just ordered the cable for the Verizon version. I'll report back on the repair and whether it solves my charging problems.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I got the cable and the tool kit last week. It sits in my office waiting for me to put it in.
 
jhonb said:
Lazy, and a little chicken. Back in the day, I would have had this in the phone 1/2 hour after I got it. But I am an old fart now.
Click to expand...

Just got the part....now I am waiting for the pry tools I ordered. I don't want to mess with using a metal tool, I'll wait for the plastic.

BTW, this part is much smaller than I expected!

I'll give a full report back on the process from a novice at phone repair. The guy on the youtube video made it look easy but he's probably opened up 500 phones.
 
Done. 20 minutes start to finish. Would probably take me 6 minutes to do it again but I was being super cautious. I watched the video while I worked.

Notes:

1. The plastic pry tool that came with my tools set.....well the edge of it snapped off when trying to pry open the case. I actually was able to use one of the other tools and then run my fingernail around the casing and pry it loose. Its a little nerve wracking, but the plastic has plenty of give and pops loose eventually once you find the little tabs.

2. At the 1:20 mark when he pops out the bottom part of the base...its in there pretty tight. He makes it look easier than it is. You have to give it a good pull to get it out.

3. When he is removing all of the wire connectors from the mother board at around the 2:00 mark..... he does NOT show that there is another ribbon cable attached to the under side of the motherboard that must be removed. If you jump ahead to the 3:40 mark you will see him re-attach it. After you disconnect the three ribbon cables and the one wire cable you will notice that in addition to the camera holding the MB in place there is this other ribbon cable to remove. Its just about underneath the display ribbon cable.

3. The sticky tape that holds the charging port in place is SUPER sticky. You really have to pull the old port out pretty hard to get it free. You will want to use a pry toll underneath the old port to help separate it. In fact, at the end by the usb port, the sticky tape stayed stuck to the port and I had to peel it off and reposition it back on the phone.

All things said and done, not a bad repair so long as you have the little screw drivers, the video and a decent pry tool.

The new port is a nice tight fit... but I also learned that my original USB cable is shot since it still shows USB charging sometimes. It seems to always show AC charging with my other cables.
 
Tim K said:
Done. 20 minutes start to finish. Would probably take me 6 minutes to do it again but I was being super cautious. I watched the video while I worked.

Notes:

1. The plastic pry tool that came with my tools set.....well the edge of it snapped off when trying to pry open the case. I actually was able to use one of the other tools and then run my fingernail around the casing and pry it loose. Its a little nerve wracking, but the plastic has plenty of give and pops loose eventually once you find the little tabs.

2. At the 1:20 mark when he pops out the bottom part of the base...its in there pretty tight. He makes it look easier than it is. You have to give it a good pull to get it out.

3. When he is removing all of the wire connectors from the mother board at around the 2:00 mark..... he does NOT show that there is another ribbon cable attached to the under side of the motherboard that must be removed. If you jump ahead to the 3:40 mark you will see him re-attach it. After you disconnect the three ribbon cables and the one wire cable you will notice that in addition to the camera holding the MB in place there is this other ribbon cable to remove. Its just about underneath the display ribbon cable.

3. The sticky tape that holds the charging port in place is SUPER sticky. You really have to pull the old port out pretty hard to get it free. You will want to use a pry toll underneath the old port to help separate it. In fact, at the end by the usb port, the sticky tape stayed stuck to the port and I had to peel it off and reposition it back on the phone.

All things said and done, not a bad repair so long as you have the little screw drivers, the video and a decent pry tool.

The new port is a nice tight fit... but I also learned that my original USB cable is shot since it still shows USB charging sometimes. It seems to always show AC charging with my other cables.
Click to expand...

Thanks Tim. I will give it a go this weekend when I can set aside some time. The tips will be very useful. I really appreciate the detailed help
 
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