Hardware New 3DS XL Not Turning On - No Lights

[TechAndrew]

Hello,
I have recently gotten a spare N3DS XL motherboard. In order to test it, I had to swap the motherboard. Everything worked as expected. So, I swapped to the original motherboard. However, for some unknown reason, every time I press the Power Button, NOTHING (literally) happens. No lights, no popping; nothing. If I plug the AC Adapter in (the Charging LED turns on) and then press the Power Button, the Charging LED turns off and the Power LED turns on simultaneously for a split second, and it continues with a constant Charging LED. I am completely puzzled by how the N3DS XL ended up like this, but before this, everything worked as expected with the previous motherboard, and I am positive that I have not damaged anything, as I had carefully done this swap twice.

Is there anyone who is able to find the issue? I had already tried cleaning all of the ribbon cables' ends, but the results are still the same.

Thanks,
TechAndrew

 

[puss2puss]

I know you may already have done this, but make sure the ribbons are all correctly connected.. and if i understand right, nothing happen unless you plug it?..dis it turned on when its plugged and charging? also check to make sure all the connectors are touching the battery and are not bent.

 

[TechAndrew]

I know you may already have done this, but make sure the ribbons are all correctly connected.. and if i understand right, nothing happen unless you plug it?..dis it turned on when its plugged and charging? also check to make sure all the connectors are touching the battery and are not bent.

Yes, nothing happens even if I plug the AC Adapter. No, it doesn't turn on even when plugged in. I know that the battery is connected, as the Charging LED stays on for more than 5 seconds.

 

[puss2puss]

Not sure it would help, but try when its plugged in to hold the power button for 5 seconde..
And, did you try powering it into safe mode? Maybe it will show sign of life this way..
Did you make some soldering on the motherboard? And, is it possible that some water touched the motherboard while it was out?

 

[TechAndrew]

Not sure it would help, but try when its plugged in to hold the power button for 5 seconde..
And, did you try powering it into safe mode? Maybe it will show sign of life this way..
Did you make some soldering on the motherboard? And, is it possible that some water touched the motherboard while it was out?

I have tried holding the Power Button for several seconds already.
I'm not able to even see the Power LED turn on, so I doubt Safe Mode would work.
No, I have not soldered the motherboard nor exposed the motherboard to any water.

 

[puss2puss]

Hmm hard to tell what could be wrong..do you habe a volt tester nearby? You could try to track the power to see where it stops passing..

 

[TechAndrew]

Hmm hard to tell what could be wrong..do you habe a volt tester nearby? You could try to track the power to see where it stops passing..

Yes, I do have a multimeter...

 

[puss2puss]

Then you should plug your console, and track with the multimeter where the power stop passing..it will give you a good idea to know if the power atleast passes completly to the end. Good luck and have fun

 

[TechAndrew]

Then you should plug your console, and track with the multimeter where the power stop passing..it will give you a good idea to know if the power atleast passes completly to the end. Good luck and have fun

What points should I test on any board to check if there's voltage?

And to add to the frustration, when I came back to the 3DS, I discovered that now, when I plug the AC Adapter, the Charging LED doesn't even turn on.
What in the world is going on? It's not like I dropped it in the toilet...

 

[puss2puss]

Yah maybe when the led was lite before it was a power leftover..kinda honestly, i feel your pain..i hope you will find a solution..

i dont know exactly what point to start, but i would start where it plugs, tracking to the battery conemctor, then to the cpu then gpu..

 

[TechAndrew]

Yah maybe when the led was lite before it was a power leftover..kinda honestly, i feel your pain..i hope you will find a solution..

i dont know exactly what point to start, but i would start where it plugs, tracking to the battery conemctor, then to the cpu then gpu..

I just discovered that one of the connectors for the screens on the motherboard has bent pins on the inside. Luckily, the bent pins belong to the side NOT touching the ribbon cable's contacts, so I simply have to remove them. I hope the bent pins didn't short out and damage any other components.

 

[kimmy2000]

Sorry to bring up this old thread, but did you fix this in the end? I am have the same issue with an o3ds, no lights, nothing, but charge light is on.