Hardware O3DS suddenly crashing when opening/bumping it

[Ayazel]

Hello there !

So, I have this old 3ds of mine which is about to turn 9 next year, but the thing is that I've encountered a massive problem....

When I bump it, or open it, or close it, it suddenly CRASHES without warning : the power goes completely off. I've noticed that a few milliseconds before the crash, the console's upper screen goes bright and a "POP" sound is emitted.
The thing is that this crash is completely random, as I can open, close, open again the 3DS, bump it a little without anything special happening, and suddenly it crashes.
Sometimes, it doesn't crashes : only the pre-crash event (the brightness of the upper screen and the "POP" sound) are done.

This is very weird, as it never happened before, last 8 years. I don't think that it is a battery problem, because the hour and date are fine after the crash.
Some additional details : the console has a CFW since ~2 years ago, and is an Old 3ds (not XL, just 3ds). I left it in my closet for about 4 or 5 months due to quarantine, maybe that is the cause ?
I've looked for info all around the web, and only found people having the pre-crash things happening.

What's would be the cause of this ? Should I go to a repair store, electronic store (even with CFW) ? This is frightening me, I'm quite scared of losing my dear 3ds
Thanks in advance.

 

[TurdPooCharger]

Speaker Pop Shut Off [post #10]

 

[Ayazel]

Ah, thanks for the fast answer !

Is that really the speaker ? Wouldn't it just cut the sound, instead of the whole console ?... Hardware sure is complicated.

I don't trust myself enough for this kind of repair (in fact the real reason is that I can't unscrew some of the screws just before the electronic stuff, the screwdriver just slips). Do you think bringing my O3ds on CFW to a electronic or video-game store is a good idea ?

EDIT : I've also realized that the person in the thread you've shared, said that it happens with the lower screen, whereas in my case it's the upper screen. Is it important ?

 

[TurdPooCharger]

Ah, thanks for the fast answer !

Is that really the speaker ? Wouldn't it just cut the sound, instead of the whole console ?... Hardware sure is complicated.

I don't trust myself enough for this kind of repair (in fact the real reason is that I can't unscrew some of the screws just before the electronic stuff, the screwdriver just slips). Do you think bringing my O3ds on CFW to a electronic or video-game store is a good idea ?

The popping is due to a broken flex cable from one of the parts that goes into the upper lid: (1) speakers, (2) cameras, (3) upper LCD. The trace splits usually around the hinge area from bending stress. Whoever fixes the o3DS would have to disassemble it and examine the cables with a magnifying glass to find the broken trace if it isn't obvious.

Don't try to play the o3DS in its current state as the popping means that it is shorting, which can and will eventually kill the motherboard.

It's good that you know your limits in comfort and skill level when it comes to DIY repairs. People sometimes overestimate their ability to fix delicate electronics and end up [permanently] breaking theirs more.

In North America (not so sure about Europe), in-person video game stores don't typically offer handheld/console repair services. There are a handful of independent repair specialists like wiigotem, testerfan, fixxmaster, videogamesandthings, and ahay1623 who have eBay listings to fix stuff but again, but they're based in USA.

You could try asking around in,

• locally at leboncoin.fr (or whatever your equivalent is to our OfferUp, Craigslist, Facebook market)
  
• Nintendo Homebrew on Discord
• reddit [r/consolerepair]
• GBAtemp [Trading Area]

If all else fails, your last best bet would be to go to a repair shop that does screen swaps for phones or computers as these should have the know how and tools. You would have to find someone who is willing to fix the 3DS as a side job, probably show her or him the [iFixit] Nintendo 3DS, and supply the necessary replacement part from eBay [FR], Aliexpress, or ZedLabz.

 

[Ayazel]

Oh, thanks for the informations (and the warning as well) ! I guess I'm going to look around in my city, looking for someone who can repair it...

I'll keep you in touch. I don't plan to do it right now as they're all busy because of holidays, though. Hope my 3DS won't break !

 

[qbdp]

The popping is due to a broken flex cable from one of the parts that goes into the upper lid: (1) speakers, (2) cameras, (3) upper LCD. The trace splits usually around the hinge area from bending stress. Whoever fixes the o3DS would have to disassemble it and examine the cables with a magnifying glass to find the broken trace if it isn't obvious.

Don't try to play the o3DS in its current state as the popping means that it is shorting, which can and will eventually kill the motherboard.

It's good that you know your limits in comfort and skill level when it comes to DIY repairs. People sometimes overestimate their ability to fix delicate electronics and end up [permanently] breaking theirs more.

In North America (not so sure about Europe), in-person video game stores don't typically offer handheld/console repair services. There are a handful of independent repair specialists like wiigotem, testerfan, fixxmaster, videogamesandthings, and ahay1623 who have eBay listings to fix stuff but again, but they're based in USA.

You could try asking around in,

• locally at leboncoin.fr (or whatever your equivalent is to our OfferUp, Craigslist, Facebook market)
  
• Nintendo Homebrew on Discord
• reddit [r/consolerepair]
• GBAtemp [Trading Area]

If all else fails, your last best bet would be to go to a repair shop that does screen swaps for phones or computers as these should have the know how and tools. You would have to find someone who is willing to fix the 3DS as a side job, probably show her or him the [iFixit] Nintendo 3DS, and supply the necessary replacement part from eBay [FR], Aliexpress, or ZedLabz.

I've spoken to a few of these guys on eBay. Almost none of them work on a New Nintendo 3DS (NON-XL!). I have one that does exactly what the OP's is doing. You might play great for a few days and never see the problem. Wiggle the top screen just right once and POP. Whole system shuts off. Its been sitting in a drawer for a year because I'm not comfortable fixing it and nobody works on the damn things because it isn't an "XL" version.

My specific version: https://www.amazon.com/New-Nintendo-3DS-Super-Mario-Land/dp/B01JSROIBM

 

[TurdPooCharger]

I've spoken to a few of these guys on eBay. Almost none of them work on a New Nintendo 3DS (NON-XL!). I have one that does exactly what the OP's is doing. You might play great for a few days and never see the problem. Wiggle the top screen just right once and POP. Whole system shuts off. Its been sitting in a drawer for a year because I'm not comfortable fixing it and nobody works on the damn things because it isn't an "XL" version.

My specific version: https://www.amazon.com/New-Nintendo-3DS-Super-Mario-Land/dp/B01JSROIBM

I'm not surprised those repair specialists avoid tackling the New 3DS (non XL). Very few people (if anyone) offer repair services for the n3DS because of its limited production run and short supply of replacement parts (motherboard, shell housing). Also, the small form factor doesn't help in an already difficult task of routing those flex cables in the hinge.

The n2DSXL takes 1st place for being the hardest in replacing the top LCD due to the glued on bezel glass panel followed by the o3DS and n3DS taking 2nd place (~tied) simply because of the smaller size.

• [YouTube, Spawn Wave] Here's Why The Nintendo 3DS Was A Nightmare To Work On

If you find anyone who's crazy enough to take on fixing your n3DS and has golden hands like a surgeon,

Disassembly guide for the n3DS.

• [iFixit] Nintendo 3DS 2015

You may need to substitute the n3DSXL's repair guides for the speakers, cameras, top LCD.

• [iFixit] Nintendo 3DS XL 2015

 

[qbdp]

I'm not surprised those repair specialists avoid tackling the New 3DS (non XL). Very few people (if anyone) offer repair services for the n3DS because of its limited production run and short supply of replacement parts (motherboard, shell housing). Also, the small form factor doesn't help in an already difficult task of routing those flex cables in the hinge.

The n2DSXL takes 1st place for being the hardest in replacing the top LCD due to the glued on bezel glass panel

Awww man, basically what you just said was "Hey qbdp, just so you know, you bought the two hardest to fix 3DS variants made".

I'm pretty good at taking things apart. I'm even pretty good at getting these things back together with some success. But looking at the iFixit guides as well as the video you linked, its going to be a hard NO on me doing this. Also, as you said, replacement parts (even on Amazon) seem to be from consoles that have been broken and scrapped for working parts. They're not new, stating "Removed from NEW 3DS XL/LL Console" and "Due to storage, Some might have small scuffs". I don't think I'm prepared to buy a used part for $45+ not including shipping with no guarantee I can even fix it.

I guess it will just sit there until I get tired of holding onto it and toss it. Probably fairly quickly now that I know nobody is willing to work on it.

 

[TurdPooCharger]

I guess it will just sit there until I get tired of holding onto it and toss it. Probably fairly quickly now that I know nobody is willing to work on it.

Please don't trash the n3DS!

It would be a damn shame to throw away a broken but salvageable n3DS when it is the rarest model of the family lineup.

Just because no one can or wants to service the n3DS at a market sustainable and competitive price does not mean it is worthless when broken.

People will pay decent money to buy yours off of you.

 

[qbdp]

I don't know what else to do with it. I would feel bad selling it to someone in the condition it is in. It is banned, broken, and has no way to clear my NNID that I know of.

 

[TurdPooCharger]

I don't know what else to do with it. I would feel bad selling it to someone in the condition it is in. It is banned, broken, and has no way to clear my NNID that I know of.

There's nothing wrong selling the n3DS if you clearly mention the condition it's in. People do buy broken systems that are sold for parts or as-is if they deem they're worth gutting or restoring back to working condition.

As for the NNID currently tied to that n3DS, you can call Nintendo to ask them to unlink and relink the account onto another [ n3DS / n3DSXL / n2dSXL ]. They'll do this on their end when someone explains their 3DS was lost or broke down.

 

[qbdp]

There's nothing wrong selling the n3DS if you clearly mention the condition it's in. People do buy broken systems that are sold for parts or as-is if they deem they're worth gutting or restoring back to working condition.

As for the NNID currently tied to that n3DS, you can call Nintendo to ask them to unlink and relink the account onto another [ n3DS / n3DSXL / n2dSXL ]. They'll do this on their end when someone explains their 3DS was lost or broke down.

I don't have another 3DS, the account is banned, the console is banned. I'm not sure calling them would do much good. I would sell it for parts, but to who? Nobody works on them obviously. The only place would be eBay and I don't have an account there. Here, I suppose. But I can't access the trading forums yet.

It did have my AceKard in it. Thought I lost that lol

 

[Ayazel]

Damn, are the non-XL consoles so rare ? Imagine how much I could get with my black normal o3ds and black normal n3ds....

 

[uyjulian]

Yeah non-XL console are difficult to repair. If it's your first time repairing stuff where you have to pipe ribbon cables through small holes, be prepared to break stuff.

It is a difficult process to replace the screen (or any top case part), since you have to wire the ribbon cable through the bottom case. Two years ago, I was having issues with the camera (turns out some parts of the ribbon cable were flaking off), so I attempted to replace the camera. I failed two times with screen only by ripping the cable of the replacement screen. At the third time, I used a full top case instead of screen only, and that attempt succeeded.

It is a difficult process and takes patience. Don't move too fast or you will break stuff! If you DO break stuff, you can find replacements…

I may be able to salvage the ripped ribbon cables by micro soldering… but I don't have the tools for it here.