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I received an iPhone from a friend’s boyfriend a few days ago. The phone has problems, but I like a challenge. I was told he tried to replace the dock connector, and when he put it back together it had problems. I think I’ve already ordered everything I need to fix all of the problems except this one. I live in a town with no 3g coverage, were still on Edge. Most of the time the phone shows a very weak signal, or no service. Occasionally if I leave it in one place for a few hours, it will get a strong signal and I can text. I took the phone with me into the city yesterday, where there is 3g coverage, and it worked perfectly all day. I had a strong signal and was able to access 3g internet and text. I am already replacing the dock connector again (as he tore the microphone ribbon cable while installing it, and the assembly is incredibly cheap). I believe the antenna is located in the dock connector, so would this fix the problem? Steps taken: Reset phone Reset network settings Restored in iTunes twice (without restoring back up) Reinserted Sim Card multiple times The parts to fix the home button won’t be in for another two weeks, so I am not able to enter DFU mode. Thank you for your help. Edit: I thought I should include a list of all the problems in case it is related to something else. Shutter won’t open in camera app - ordered replacement camera (and tried restoring, ect) Home button ribbon connector was damaged - ordered replacement (works when you connect the contacts on the dock connector) Mic ribbon cable ripped in corner, very muffled mic - dock connector assembly ordered Wifi and GPS appear to work perfectly, and the battery holds a charge nicely. The back cover is cracked around the headphone jack, sleep button and mic mesh - A replacement back was ordered too. Thanks again!
take a look at the way the dock connector makes contact with the motherboard. It has a small yellow metal pin in the bottom right corner.. so make sure the screw over this area on the motherboard is on snuggly, there is also a yellow metal prong on the motherboard which connects to the bezel of the rear case to help the antenna (which as you guessed is the plastic/flex on the back of the dock connector) so.. antenna on dock connects via metal pin and then prong.. sometimes if people are a little exuberant in removing the motherboard from the case they bend that bottom corner of the board so it doesnt sit on the dock pin well/and partially damage the metal threads in the board. If you have checked all else/replaced dock, you might like to flip the board over and scrape the plastic off the metal trace from back of antenna prong and examine it. I will try and upload a photo of a repair I did recently on that area..it really is simple-just tinning over the trace and we regained signal.(sorry my camera has been borrowed) there is also a photo online http://www.mauron.net/iphonerepair which I used as a guide. Hope this helps
