Hardware Broken ZIF Socket Clamp Analog Stick New 3DS XL

[yanyuck]

Hey Guys,

so while fixing a bricked 3DS i accendently broke the ZIF Socket Clamp and also the Ribbon of the Analog Stick.
I already ordered a new Analog Stick on Ebay. Any Ideas how i can get the Ribbon back on the ZIF without the clamp?

For soldering its little bit to small.. can i maybe just put the ribbon under the zif and press the ribbon down and eventually it will work? any ideas?

 

[how_do_i_do_that]

Buy a broken board off ebay and use a heatgun or soldering iron if you don't have a heatgun to remove a ZIF off that broken board. Unless you can find a ZIF by part number off the EU equivalent of digikey.

 

[yanyuck]

Buy a broken board off ebay and use a heatgun or soldering iron if you don't have a heatgun to remove a ZIF off that broken board. Unless you can find a ZIF by part number off the EU equivalent of digikey.

I dont think the whole ZIF is broken only because the Clip isnt there anymore? Or is it?

 

[how_do_i_do_that]

Your missing the retention portion of the ZIF. You can tape it down and hope the tape doesn't lift off the connection.

 

[yanyuck]

Your missing the retention portion of the ZIF. You can tape it down and hope the tape doesn't lift off the connection.

What the hell is a retention portion?

 

[Minox]

What the hell is a retention portion?

It's the ZIF Socket Clamp, aka the part keeping the ribbon in the right place.

 

[TurdPooCharger]

P6 connector???

 

[how_do_i_do_that]

Spoiler

The grey piece is the retention part of the ZIF. Unless you can find where that piece went and reattach it, your options of getting a working replacement ZIF is limited. Hence the mention of getting a broken board as a donor board from ebay if possible.

 

[yanyuck]

ill maybe just try to hotglue it.

 

[TurdPooCharger]

You can buy replacement P6 connector pieces..

 

[vingren]

I'm in the same f_ign situation as yanyuck right now.
You can see my desperation here
https://www.reddit.com/r/consolerepair/comments/geun42/can_someone_help_me_with_this_this_is_new/
Man, did you did it? It worked? Did you had to buy the replacement ZIF thing?
I have another issue that I destroyed that NON-ZIF connectors as well because I'm not used to do that.

 

[TurdPooCharger]

I'm in the same f_ign situation as yanyuck right now.
You can see my desperation here
https://www.reddit.com/r/consolerepair/comments/geun42/can_someone_help_me_with_this_this_is_new/
Man, did you did it? It worked? Did you had to buy the replacement ZIF thing?
I have another issue that I destroyed that NON-ZIF connectors as well because I'm not used to do that.

1. Touchscreen digitizer connector
3. Lower LCD backlight connector?
4. (HOME) button connector

• New 2DS XL Broken ZIF connector [post #5]

• [aliexpress] 2Pcs For New 3DS Touch Screen Ribbon Port Socket For New 3DS XL Repair 4 Pin Connector
• [aliexpress] 1pcs For Nintendo DS Lite For NDSL Touch Screen Ribbon Port Socket For 3DS / 3DS XL LL Replacement Part 4 Pin Connector
• [aliexpress] 10pcs For NDSL Touch Screen Ribbon Port Socket For 3DS XL Repair 4 Pin Connector P17 P12 P13 P10
• [aliexpress] JCD 1PCS For Nintendo DS Lite NDSL NDS Touch Screen Ribbon Port Socket For 3DS XL 4Pin Touch Screen Cable Connector Clip

5. WiFi mount

• [eBay] 2pcs IPX u.fl Male To RP-SMA Female WIFI Antenna Cable Mini PCI SMD Connector
• [aliexpress] YuXi 2pcs Replacement Parts For Nintend Switch NS Joy Con PCB Board Flex Cable Connector Socket Clip Spare parts

2. Lower LCD display connector

• [aliexpress] For Nintendo 3DS Connector For Upper Bottom LCD Screen Ribbon Port Socket
  • Double check the pin counts. Might not be compatible with n3DSXL.
• [mouser] FFC & FPC Connectors
  • General results. Search these to find a matching design.
• [digikey] FFC, FPC (Flat Flexible) Connectors
  • General results. Search these to find a matching design.

You might be better off replacing the n3DSXL motherboard

• [aliexpress] Original USA Version Motherboard for New 3DS XL LL Replacement Mainboard PCB Board for New 3DSXL 3DSLL
• [aliexpress] US Version Original Used Motherboard PCB Board Mainboard Replacement for New 3DS XL for New 3DS LL Game Console accessories
• [aliexpress] 100% Tested Original USA Version Mainboard PCB Board Motherboard for New 3DS XL/LL Game Console Replacement Parts

 

[DSoryu]

Ok, sorry to bump this out, but is relevant inforamtion for anyone that runs into the same problem (had some trouble like this yesterday).

If you aren't able to manually fix this or replace the piece, you just need to insert the ribbon cable with much care UNDER the pins on the connector, the clam just aids to "lift" these pins in order to successfully allow entrance to the ribbon cable in an easier way. The pressure is applied by the pins themselves, but just in case, put a drip of hot glue to avoid the ribbon cable to detach, it most likely won't, but better be safe than sorry.

I'll post photos later.

 

[andy1031]

Ok, sorry to bump this out, but is relevant inforamtion for anyone that runs into the same problem (had some trouble like this yesterday).

If you aren't able to manually fix this or replace the piece, you just need to insert the ribbon cable with much care UNDER the pins on the connector, the clam just aids to "lift" these pins in order to successfully allow entrance to the ribbon cable in an easier way. The pressure is applied by the pins themselves, but just in case, put a drip of hot glue to avoid the ribbon cable to detach, it most likely won't, but better be safe than sorry.

I'll post photos later.

You got those photos?

 

[TurdPooCharger]

You got those photos?

Info found at,

• [r/3DS] I fixed all my New 3DS XL’s unresponsive buttons by applying paper on ribbon cable latches (opposite side of gold contacts) to tighten connection. It also works to replace broken gate tabs (1st picture). Thought I’d share!

Apply clear tape to the flex cable or jam a piece of thin, cut to size, plastic sheet for more contact pressure. Note card works too.

• [YouTube] $10 SMASHED Nintendo 3DS XL - Can I Fix It? (9m:20s)
  
• Spoiler: Hack for busted display connector

  

Use the hot glue or some tape to secure the cable to the board to keep it from wiggling out.

 

[fb251]

Ok, sorry to bump this out, but is relevant inforamtion for anyone that runs into the same problem (had some trouble like this yesterday).

If you aren't able to manually fix this or replace the piece, you just need to insert the ribbon cable with much care UNDER the pins on the connector, the clam just aids to "lift" these pins in order to successfully allow entrance to the ribbon cable in an easier way. The pressure is applied by the pins themselves, but just in case, put a drip of hot glue to avoid the ribbon cable to detach, it most likely won't, but better be safe than sorry.

I'll post photos later.

Hi there Dartz150,

I think i'm having the same trouble as you.
I've attached photos of my situation in pictures.

The gold part of ribbon came of when I accidentally pulled it out. I've ordered new circle stick mechanisms with new ribbons.

Am I supposed to put the ribbon under neat the pins? I tried doing this (aswell as putting tape on the back of the ribbon) but it didn't qork, as if the ribbon was fully underneath the pins.

 

[DSoryu]

Hi there Dartz150,

I think i'm having the same trouble as you.
I've attached photos of my situation in pictures.

The gold part of ribbon came of when I accidentally pulled it out. I've ordered new circle stick mechanisms with new ribbons.

Am I supposed to put the ribbon under neat the pins? I tried doing this (aswell as putting tape on the back of the ribbon) but it didn't qork, as if the ribbon was fully underneath the pins.

Yes, you are doing it right! Instead of using tape, just add presure with the tip of a Hot Glue Gun and then apply a drip of hot glue to make it stay there. I noticed that the pins on your MoBo are a bit off from their place, so that could led to some problems. Try to use your phone camera zoomed in as a magnifier and some twizers, then carefully try to align the pins as much as possible before trying to attach the ribbon cable.

 

[fb251]

Yes, you are doing it right! Instead of using tape, just add presure with the tip of a Hot Glue Gun and then apply a drip of hot glue to make it stay there. I noticed that the pins on your MoBo are a bit off from their place, so that could led to some problems. Try to use your phone camera zoomed in as a magnifier and some twizers, then carefully try to align the pins as much as possible before trying to attach the ribbon cable.

Awesome, thanks for the quick response! And just to make sure, there should be space UNDERNEATH the pins for me to insert the ribbon? It does seem like there's not enough space and the gold strips on the ribbon do not reach the pins. Sorry if I'm missing the point, I don't know much about electronics!

 

[DSoryu]

Awesome, thanks for the quick response! And just to make sure, there should be space UNDERNEATH the pins for me to insert the ribbon? It does seem like there's not enough space and the gold strips on the ribbon do not reach the pins. Sorry if I'm missing the point, I don't know much about electronics!

Ok, so I saw your pictures closely, and it seems to me that you are inserting the ribbon cable under the plastic piece of the clam, and it should be inserted between that piece and the pins, the area I'm markin in red here:

the pins should lift a bit allowing the ribbon cable to pass, so don't be afraid and do it, with enough care of course.

I suggest that before you apply the hot glue, make a quick test to make sure it works so you won't need to remove the hot glue as it will be a waste of time haha, the ribbon cable should stay attached anyway even without the glue, but just for a short time due to the stiffness nature of the ribbon cable, that's why it should be applied anyway after you have it fixed.

 

[TurdPooCharger]

Is it me, or are the trances on @fb251's flex cable ripped off from the tip end?

Edit - [iFixit] Nintendo 3DS XL 2015

• See step 17 as reference.