Hardware O3DS makes popping noise before shutting down

[ZedMania]

Hey. So recently, my 3ds has started to make a popping noise whenever I turn it on, causing it to turn off. I haven't really ever damaged the console besides dropping it once or twice a while ago, (which only resulted in a few minor scratches. Nothing like this has ever happened). This has just come out of nowhere really :/

I've looked around on various websites and many say that it is to do with either a misplaced or faulty ribbon. I've managed to dismantle the back and the battery holder, and I've reseated the main ribbon that can become dislodged, as well as the wifi card and the infrared just in case. AFAIK the ribbon isn't damaged, although there is a bit of dust visible, as well as a diagonal white line that is close to the hole that the ribbon goes into. However, it still does the same thing

Are there any other problems that I'm unaware of? I'm like 3 years out of warranty now, so I can't send it back to Nintendo. I would like to just buy a new one, but I don't have the money right now to do so.

Thank you for any help!

 

[Pippin666]

Popping noise is probably due to a power or battery problem. Try to plug in the 3DS, remove the battery and check if the problem persist. Then we will be more ale to help you.

Pip'

 

[ZedMania]

Nothing happens when I do that unfortunately

 

[Halvorsen]

Popping noises are caused by loose ribbons. If you can't open up your system and figure out what it is, you'll have to get it repaired. Better sooner than later, since if it's the top screen's backlight cabl, it can become looser and maybe even get bent.

The system can actually turn on without the top screen, but the top screen backlight has to be in. I can't tell you where that is on the board since I've only disassembled 2DSes and new 3DS consoles.

 

[ZedMania]

Popping noises are caused by loose ribbons. If you can't open up your system and figure out what it is, you'll have to get it repaired. Better sooner than later, since if it's the top screen's backlight cabl, it can become looser and maybe even get bent.

The system can actually turn on without the top screen, but the top screen backlight has to be in. I can't tell you where that is on the board since I've only disassembled 2DSes and new 3DS consoles.

Ahh okay. Thanks for the information! ^^ Unfortunately I dont know of anyone in my area that could repair it, so I'm prepared to do it myself. I've gotten to the first motherboard of the system, but I'm sorta afraid of damaging the system if I go deeper. Then again, the system is practically broken anyways, so...

Do you know if there is a way to get straight to the top screen's backlight, rather than having to disassemble the bottom screen area first? I know you've only dealt with 2dses and new 3dses, but they might follow a similar structure or something...

 

[Halvorsen]

Ahh okay. Thanks for the information! ^^ Unfortunately I dont know of anyone in my area that could repair it, so I'm prepared to do it myself. I've gotten to the first motherboard of the system, but I'm sorta afraid of damaging the system if I go deeper. Then again, the system is practically broken anyways, so...

Do you know if there is a way to get straight to the top screen's backlight, rather than having to disassemble the bottom screen area first? I know you've only dealt with 2dses and new 3dses, but they might follow a similar structure or something...

The top screen and backlight cables is always on the reverse half on those systems, sorry.

 

[ZedMania]

Ahh dang. Alright, thanks anyway!

 

[Alex658]

Something else you can try, if your 3ds is hacked with a9lh, try replacing the arm9loaderhax.bin and the luma files on the SD card, I once got my luma files corrupted by an sd adapter and it always made that sound before shutting down.

 

[ZedMania]

Something else you can try, if your 3ds is hacked with a9lh, try replacing the arm9loaderhax.bin and the luma files on the SD card, I once got my luma files corrupted by an sd adapter and it always made that sound before shutting down.

Wait really? So your 3ds wouldn't turn on unless you replaced those files? Hmm.. I mean, I didnt have Luma for very long before this popping noise started, (like a week or so?) So when you replaced the files, did the 3ds start working again as normal?

 

[hksrb25s14]

Don't open it and live with it, once you crack that open it will never be the same, not unless you open a ton of them before if not, I wouldn't do it, and send it out to nintendo to fix.

 

[ZedMania]

Alright, I've managed to strip down the 3ds completely... I've gotten to the speaker ribbons and camera on the top lcd screen. From what i can tell, they look to be in pretty good condition. There arent any tears or anything. However, there are a few small circular dents, (that dont seem to go all the way through). Do you think this might be the problem?

 

[ZedMania]

Alright. I've thought about it and I kinda doubt the small dents are causing the issue. I've found that the ribbon can actually move around a fair bit, so what do you think would be the best way to counter that? Idk if super glue would be wise, given that the ribbon is on metal. Do you think gaffa tape might work?

 

[Alex658]

Wait really? So your 3ds wouldn't turn on unless you replaced those files? Hmm.. I mean, I didnt have Luma for very long before this popping noise started, (like a week or so?) So when you replaced the files, did the 3ds start working again as normal?

Yes, after i replaced those files everything worked as intended.
https://github.com/AuroraWright/Luma3DS/releases

v6.3.1 is the latest.

 

[Halvorsen]

Yes, after i replaced those files everything worked as intended.
https://github.com/AuroraWright/Luma3DS/releases

v6.3.1 is the latest.

This would only happen if his 3DS shut off within around 1 second of pressing the power button, pretty much instantly. I recommend upgrading to 3DSafe or the arm9loaderhax with the built in cfw so this doesn't happen. (turns on normally)

If the system stays on for around 4 seconds then pops off, it 100% definitely is hardware failure.

 

[Alex658]

This would only happen if his 3DS shut off within around 1 second of pressing the power button, pretty much instantly. I recommend upgrading to 3DSafe or the arm9loaderhax with the built in cfw so this doesn't happen. (turns on normally)

If the system stays on for around 4 seconds then pops off, it 100% definitely is hardware failure.

Wouldn't it be better to wait for aurora's official release of CTRLumaNAND? (jk on the name XD)
which is her own sd-less fork with fully enabled luma.

And yeah, if it turns off in more than 1 second, then it's not arm9loaderhax.bin/luma's fault.

 

[Halvorsen]

Wouldn't it be better to wait for aurora's official release of CTRLumaNAND? (jk on the name XD)
which is her own sd-less fork with fully enabled luma.

And yeah, if it turns off in more than 1 second, then it's not arm9loaderhax.bin/luma's fault.

The compiled builds on Reddit are completely safe, and I haven't heard from a brick with those.

I call it arm9loaderhaxv3 haha

 

[ZedMania]

Alright guys. Yea, it would take like 4 seconds before the popping noise started, not 1 second I wish that was the problem tho. It would've been so much easier to fix

I've decided I'll wait until I have enough money for a New 3ds. It feels like I have fixed the system in some ways, (it actually does turn on now) but certain things dont seem to work anymore, (the volume slider just doesn't do anything xD). I can't be bothered to go back in again... there's just so much stuff that could go wrong and result in the system being in an even worse state.

Ahh well. At least now I know what the insides of a 3ds actually look like. It's probably something I'll never do again

Thanks for all the help guys! Much appreciated