Hardware [Q] Took apart Switch, can't get it back together again; will Nintendo give me trouble?

[plushifoxed]

So long story short, I took apart my Switch thinking I could replace a part on my own and for cheaper (it cracked); I couldn't.

I noticed NoA's policies said something to the effect of "we will not repair any device that is tampered with"; I'm hoping this refers specifically to software modifications and modchips and the like, but do you all think that Nintendo will give me any trouble over this, or should I lie to them and just say "oh it fell out of my hands onto a tile floor and fell to pieces" or something?
Sounds unlikely, but certainly more plausibly deniable than just outright saying "HEY GUYS I THOUGHT I WAS A BETTER REPAIR TECHNICIAN THAN ALL OF YOU but it turns out I'm not please fix this", you know?

 

[TheCyberQuake]

They won't fix it period. They definitely won't take it if you tell the truth, and it will be obvious you are lying if it comes partially disassembled instead of just broken. Even if they believed you they definitely wouldn't fix it under warranty, and are very unlikely to even attempt repair. They'll likely just get you to buy a new system

 

[Kioku]

They won't fix it period. They definitely won't take it if you tell the truth, and it will be obvious you are lying if it comes partially disassembled instead of just broken. Even if they believed you they definitely wouldn't fix it under warranty, and are very unlikely to even attempt repair. They'll likely just get you to buy a new system

This. You messed up. Just own up to it and cut your losses...

 

[Beerus]

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Nintendo+Switch+Teardown/78263
this is a good site to try to do it in reverse

 

[plushifoxed]

They won't fix it period. They definitely won't take it if you tell the truth, and it will be obvious you are lying if it comes partially disassembled instead of just broken. Even if they believed you they definitely wouldn't fix it under warranty, abs are very unlikely to even attempt repair. They'll likely just get you to buy a new system

Wasn't attempting to get it done under warranty; I'm well aware physical damage is a paid repair no matter what. I was mostly just hoping I could send it in and have them reassemble it pretty much. If it comes down to giving up and just buying a new main console and losing my saved data I'll just live with that.

 

[Kioku]

Wasn't attempting to get it done under warranty; I'm well aware physical damage is a paid repair no matter what. I was mostly just hoping I could send it in and have them reassemble it pretty much. If it comes down to giving up and just buying a new main console and losing my saved data I'll just live with that.

If you need someone to reassemble it you might be able to find someone on here.

 

[plushifoxed]

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Nintendo+Switch+Teardown/78263
this is a good site to try to do it in reverse

Trust me, that was the first resource I went for. I fully admit to being too stupid to follow it in reverse; in particular, I couldn't for the life of me manage to reconnect the Joy-Con rails, or the screen digitizer to the gamecard/headphone-jack daughterboard. I also managed to lose pretty much all the screws in my haste.

If you need someone to reassemble it you might be able to find someone on here.

Yeah, I'd be open to that. I need to get a new gamecard slot/headphone jack daughterboard as that's the only part besides the screws that are outright missing, but once I got that in I'd be very much open to tossing someone knowledgeable something like $80-$100 (or more, if more is necessary) to put it back together.

Thanks for the advice, y'all. Glad I didn't go sending anything to Nintendo as it'd've been a waste of time and money.

 

[zeveroth]

I'm sure they will be happy to charge you for refurbished one or a new one. They won't fix for free since you took it apart.

 

[g00s3y]

How "messed up" is it? Pics would help.

 

[Captain_N]

They would be glad to offer you a new one for a discount of $300 Us dollars....

 

[delete12345]

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Nintendo+Switch+Teardown/78263
this is a good site to try to do it in reverse

OP said the Switch is cracked. Without pics, no idea the extent of damage.

 

[spotanjo3]

So long story short, I took apart my Switch thinking I could replace a part on my own and for cheaper (it cracked); I couldn't.

I noticed NoA's policies said something to the effect of "we will not repair any device that is tampered with"; I'm hoping this refers specifically to software modifications and modchips and the like, but do you all think that Nintendo will give me any trouble over this, or should I lie to them and just say "oh it fell out of my hands onto a tile floor and fell to pieces" or something?
Sounds unlikely, but certainly more plausibly deniable than just outright saying "HEY GUYS I THOUGHT I WAS A BETTER REPAIR TECHNICIAN THAN ALL OF YOU but it turns out I'm not please fix this", you know?

That's not smart things to do. You made a wrong decision. Tsk tsk. Dont do that. Now Nintendo will not fix it for you because you void the warrant.

 

[Baoulettes]

If you waren't that far I could have helped you at the cost of a coffee.
Else if you pay both send and return I do not ask for more
(if needed you can pm any time.)

 

[plushifoxed]

If you waren't that far I could have helped you at the cost of a coffee.
Else if you pay both send and return I do not ask for more
(if needed you can pm any time.)

I appreciate the offer! I'll keep it in mind. Shipping from US to France and back isn't too bad; certainly cheaper than a brand new Switch at least.

 

[Baoulettes]

I appreciate the offer! I'll keep it in mind. Shipping from US to France and back isn't too bad; certainly cheaper than a brand new Switch at least.

If I am right it was about around 20€ when I do send something there.
And no problem

 

[Duo8]

If you post where you exactly in detail with pictures someone may be able to step you through it.
Lost screws can (maybe) be bought, you need to know the size and length though.

 

[Pippin666]

Warranties are void as soon as you remove a screw.

Pip'

 

[Rhapsody]

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Nintendo+Switch+Teardown/78263
this is a good site to try to do it in reverse

I'm a bit late but it's been stated that iFixit's teardowns aren't done in a way where the device can be put back together again, more often than not. They generally have guides for disassembly and reassembly elsewhere, though.

 

[plushifoxed]

Warranties are void as soon as you remove a screw.

Pip'

I already said I was going to just do a paid repair. It's physical damage; obviously I wouldn't be submitting it for in-warranty repair.

 

[Pluupy]

Warranty wouldn't have covered the issue?