[Repair Guide][New Method] How to replace dying sim/microsd/volume/power buttons

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abhi08638

abhi08638

Senior Member
Jul 11, 2012
2,165
4,388
Hello, Today I will show you how to replace a problematic sim/microsd/volume/power. The reason why they can be fixed together is because they are all on the same PCB that we will be replacing.

I made this guide because I went snowboarding and I dropped my phone in the snow. I tried the rice trick but after that my power button was still dying. I looked up prices for getting a professional to replace it and it was around $60 for a part that costs $10 MAX. So i just bought the part off of ebay and documented my process

EDIT: if the pictures don't show up, just right click and open in new tab for now
EDIT: There is now no need to remove the motherboard to solve this issue

Credits:
http://www.youtube.com/user/RepairsUniverse
and
http://www.youtube.com/user/RuedasLocas

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY IF YOU MANAGE TO MESS UP YOUR DEVICE. TRY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Prerequisite:
-A brain​

You can download these pictures from here
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8kdrxz28aku1x9x/tMsO_WAAuV


Tools I Used:

  • Small flathead
  • Small Philipshead
  • Thin pointy object
  • Scissors
https://www.dropbox.com/s/p9es5uyfej3jymz/1.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1evpx5782ei5nen/2.jpg

1) Remove these Screws only because the others are not required
https://www.dropbox.com/s/lub8senef5uhsqa/IMG_20140414_151433.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3dw6lf5rtqsslut/IMG_20140414_153856.jpg

2) Use the flathead to pry off the cover from the frame
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1nqhr45zzoa4ssf/IMG_20140414_151527.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/a0ladgpn954fpkr/IMG_20140414_151534.jpg

3) Use the flathead to pry off the cover from the frame
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1nqhr45zzoa4ssf/IMG_20140414_151527.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/a0ladgpn954fpkr/IMG_20140414_151534.jpg

4) This is what it should look like
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fzb7wh8jnn4ljwq/IMG_20140414_151604.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rcbyzvql8uy6p20/IMG_20140414_151627.jpg

5) Remove the silver screw with the philips head and put it in a safe place
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0u1yl88w08y5011/IMG_20140414_151702.jpg

New "easy" method

6) You DO NOT need to remove all the connectors, only the ones in red
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5cgxcq2ocm7fkwi/IMG_20140414_151844 - Copy.jpg
Take note that the electronic above the sim card slot just needs to be peeled off gently, It is NOT a connector but it does rest on top of the PCB.
Also, you'll need to pry off the vibration motor (the circle to the right of the Sim card slot) as it is glued in

7) This is what the PCB looks like when separated from the motherboard
Note: your motherboard will still be in your phone, i just wanted to shop you what both parts look like
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6ysyid9eu2v5jjw/IMG_20140414_152536.jpg

8) Get out your new PCB
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6130c74hcx...414_152619.jpg

If The PCB you ordered did not come with the shielding then follow these steps
Note: Your motherboard should still be in your phone

8.a) Remove the shielding from the back of the original PCB, be careful of the glue to not damage any components
https://www.dropbox.com/s/nfpuwzf3om1ib3s/IMG_20140414_152657.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/73sbx0k32f4x5x4/IMG_20140414_152731.jpg

8.b) Now, put the shielding back onto the motherboard, it should fit into place nicely
https://www.dropbox.com/s/li966nnqujajgog/IMG_20140414_153037.jpg

8.c) Take out your new PCB and connect the connector to the motherboard before, placing it on the shielding
https://www.dropbox.com/s/mn97igyuir7o9q6/IMG_20140414_153154.jpg
Make sure everything is secure

8.d) Take out your new PCB and connect the connector to the motherboard before, placing it on the shielding
https://www.dropbox.com/s/mn97igyuir7o9q6/IMG_20140414_153154.jpg
Make sure everything is secure



Old Method by removing mother board
Procedure:
Follow the steps from the guide here up to Figure 3.4

8.a) After removing the motherboard, remove the following connector
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bsgwmyf6t1djpdb/IMG_20140414_152518.jpg

8.b) Now just pry off the PCB from the motherboard, be weary of the adhesive
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6ysyid9eu2v5jjw/IMG_20140414_152536.jpg

8.c) Get out your new PCB
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6130c74hcxd413x/IMG_20140414_152619.jpg

8.d) Remove the shielding from the back of the original PCB, be careful of the glue to not damage any components
https://www.dropbox.com/s/nfpuwzf3om1ib3s/IMG_20140414_152657.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/73sbx0k32f4x5x4/IMG_20140414_152731.jpg

8.e) Now, put the shielding back onto the motherboard, it should fit into place nicely
https://www.dropbox.com/s/li966nnqujajgog/IMG_20140414_153037.jpg

8.f) Take out your new PCB and connect the connector to the motherboard before, placing it on the shielding
https://www.dropbox.com/s/mn97igyuir7o9q6/IMG_20140414_153154.jpg
Make sure everything is secure

8.g) Slide the motherboard back into place inside the frame
(Make sure not to damage any connectors by safely getting them out of the way BEFORE putting in your motherboard)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ojvh1vftm6s3qza/IMG_20140414_153415.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/f3k5f1c7qelaq74/IMG_20140414_153420.jpg


9) Reconnect all of the connectors you previously disconnected EXCEPT the volume and power
https://www.dropbox.com/s/v0oyeoaswkd0gb9/IMG_20140414_153602.jpg

10) Now carefully slide in the power and volume buttons into their correct spots
(I used the flathead the push the rockers out of the way to slide in the buttons)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/l94dfverf2ziwl7/IMG_20140414_153832.jpg
Now test the feel of the buttons before putting the Screw back in. (You should hear the tactile feedback)

11) Screw in the screw you removed to get the motherboard out
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3dw6lf5rtqsslut/IMG_20140414_153856.jpg

12) Put the cover back on (do NOT put the screws back in yet) and see if the all the sides close properly
https://www.dropbox.com/s/e4sc0thp8ioi1dn/IMG_20140414_153954.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/wyob0xuxaqkp8ve/IMG_20140414_154002.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7x46humbisb5lm7/IMG_20140414_154010.jpg

13) Well crap, i have a bump
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3h6mejmug79o8ar/IMG_20140414_154015.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/69w769ubiz03fpk/IMG_20140414_154131.jpg
Time to backtrack and see what is not seated properly


14) After all that is done and is properly fitted, Put in your sim car, micro sd, and battery
(Do NOT put in the screws yet)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/it26v6h7763flzs/IMG_20140414_154143.jpg

15) Now power on and see if it works
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fumzxsuewnqqgn4/IMG_20140414_154158.jpg
(Mine did, I was so happy I could cry!)

16) After it power on, test all your buttons

17)Test Cases:
  • Press power button once to see if the screen turns off
  • Press the power button to see if the Screen wakes up
  • Press the volume up to see if the volume increases
  • Press the volume down to see if the volume decreases
  • Check your sim connectivity, should have bars
  • Check your micro sd card by going to Setting>Storage>SD Card
  • Check your cameras
  • check your sound

If something does not work, backtrack and check all of your connections.
If your power or volume buttons don't work, check the PCB connection. If it still doesn't work, you might have received a defective PCB like I did (My volume buttons didn't work). Contact your seller and ask for a replacement for your defective item (I got mine for free and now everything works).

18) If everything works, NOW screw in your remaining screws and close her up and enjoy your day!

You can download these pictures from here
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8kdrxz28aku1x9x/tMsO_WAAuV

Don't forget to hit thanks!
 
Last edited:
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bobbidik

New member
Aug 26, 2014
2
0
vibration motor?

hi i have been following your instructions and everything has been going very smoothly. however, i cant figure out how you take out the vibration motor from the old pcb and put it into the new one. do you simply yank it out? i dont want to break anything, thanks!
 
abhi08638

abhi08638

Senior Member
Jul 11, 2012
2,165
4,388
bobbidik said:
hi i have been following your instructions and everything has been going very smoothly. however, i cant figure out how you take out the vibration motor from the old pcb and put it into the new one. do you simply yank it out? i dont want to break anything, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

No do not yank it, the wires are sensitive, I used a soldering iron and heated the contacts up enough to the point where the wires were able to be pulled out. Then I soldered it to my new one. (Remember which wire goes to which contact)

don't forget to hit thanks!
 
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bobbidik

New member
Aug 26, 2014
2
0
abhi08638 said:
No do not yank it, the wires are sensitive, I used a soldering iron and heated the contacts up enough to the point where the wires were able to be pulled out. Then I soldered it to my new one. (Remember which wire goes to which contact)

don't forget to hit thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

aww i dont know how to solder nor do i have a soldering kit. oh well, i guess i can live without the vibrate function. thanks anyways!
 
abhi08638

abhi08638

Senior Member
Jul 11, 2012
2,165
4,388
bobbidik said:
aww i dont know how to solder nor do i have a soldering kit. oh well, i guess i can live without the vibrate function. thanks anyways!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Its honestly really easy and a good skill to learn, but there are PCBs with the motor already attached on eBay if you ever need it.

don't forget to hit thanks!
 
Demetris

Demetris

Recognized Developer
Aug 15, 2008
3,096
9,471
47
Limassol
Awesome walkthrough.
I might use it one of these days as my power button is pretty much gone.
 
sketchman16

sketchman16

Senior Member
Nov 6, 2012
177
39
Thank you. I'm having weird SIM card reading issues. Flash the same ROM twice, and once it will detect the SIM, the other time it won't.
 
abhi08638

abhi08638

Senior Member
Jul 11, 2012
2,165
4,388
Try flashing a stock ROM and if it works then your sim tray is still working

sent from my amazingly awesome OnePlus One

Don't forget to hit thanks!
 
sketchman16

sketchman16

Senior Member
Nov 6, 2012
177
39
So if I flash SlimKat 8.9 which I know the SIM card would read on before, and now it doesn't that doesn't mean it's a hardware thing?

Also, no custom ROM will now read the SIM. I've tried probably 5 since it started not reading. I'll try the stock ROM before I tear into it, I guess, but it seemed logical to me. IDK.
 
Adam77Root

Adam77Root

Inactive Recognized Developer
Jul 3, 2012
2,521
11,117
Radio is extremely crappy on this device. Custom roms don't implement all stock radio features so there can be (even randomly) broken things.
 
sketchman16

sketchman16

Senior Member
Nov 6, 2012
177
39
Hmm. Well, I tried to go back to stock. It just won't. Even got to a point where the LG update tool would flash in and out of being connected to the phone, and it would never settle on one or the other, so it can't do anything. Flash tool also reports no connection to the phone no matter what I do. I'm just about sick of this thing.
 
abhi08638

abhi08638

Senior Member
Jul 11, 2012
2,165
4,388
sketchman16 said:
Hmm. Well, I tried to go back to stock. It just won't. Even got to a point where the LG update tool would flash in and out of being connected to the phone, and it would never settle on one or the other, so it can't do anything. Flash tool also reports no connection to the phone no matter what I do. I'm just about sick of this thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

If your recovery is still available, then just flash one of the stock 4.1.2 ROMs from the android development section

sent from my amazingly awesome OnePlus One

Don't forget to hit thanks!
 
W

weezlerox

Senior Member
Sep 30, 2009
141
23
I don't suppose....

sketchman16 said:
Thank you. I'm having weird SIM card reading issues. Flash the same ROM twice, and once it will detect the SIM, the other time it won't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Probably a silly question but have you tried a different SIM card in the reader to see if it could be the SIM card itself that is a problem?

---------- Post added at 07:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:27 PM ----------
abhi08638 said:
Its honestly really easy and a good skill to learn, but there are PCBs with the motor already attached on eBay if you ever need it.

don't forget to hit thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I agree that soldering is indeed a useful skill but I am not sure that a relatively expensive (and I am sure in everyone's eyes, precious) phone is the best place to start practicing; heat damage from a soldering iron can do irreversible damage to sensitive components as well as the copper tracks on the PCB.

Also, I may be a good idea to edit the guide a little to mention the possibility of needing to desolder/solder if the appropriate parts require it?
 
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sketchman16

sketchman16

Senior Member
Nov 6, 2012
177
39
Yes, tried multiple SIM cards. None work on a custom ROM now. My first flash with SlimKat 8.9, was golden in every way but the camera. Then nothing but trouble with everything else. Even the "stable" CM 10 wasn't stable for me. I just managed to get a pure LG 20d ROM installed, and everything works fine. Battery life is even great. I started flashing custom ROMs to get a better device, but now with a rooted, Xposed, and stable stock ROM, I kind of wonder if it's worth bothering. It would be nice to have KK, but I don't really miss it TBH. I still have root, I still have "most" of what I liked about KK, and there are no more bugs.

Same with my original Nexus 7. Both had been flashed to KK of one sort or another (MANY times before I gave up), and both developed issues from it no matter how I did it. Went back to stock JB on both devices, and everything is fine.

If I flash any more custom ROMs I'm def going to keep a solid JB backup ready to get a stable device back if need be, and so far need be indeed. :)
 
O

Ofkhan

New member
Dec 8, 2015
3
0
Hello,
My LG Phone on KK stopped reading my SIMs a month or so back. I tried different SIMS, but still wont work. I flashed KK again and then later Lollipop AOSP, but still wont work. I thought maybe the SIM Reader was faulty, so ordered a new one. But even after changing, same problem. Don't know what the issue is. Can anyone suggest any further solutions / ideas ? Thanks.
 
A

AndreaFar

Senior Member
Apr 20, 2012
64
11
abhi08638 said:
Hello, Today I will show you how to replace a problematic sim/microsd/volume/power. The reason why they can be fixed together is because they are all on the same PCB that we will be replacing.
.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

If I want to repair only power only button that has became defective and doesn't respond well I have to do all these steps?? OMG

Is this the right component to purchase to fix power switch? (see attachment)
 

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