Hi, I recently bought a non-functional new 3DS XL from eBay. Seller said no power due to coffee spill.
Upon reception, I started to open and clean it. It was drenched in coffee, top and bottom cases, but no apparent damage or corrosion. I disassemble absolutely everything, top and bottom cases, washing the case in water, and all parts with IPA. I could not find additional damage, even under the electromagnetic shields. Top screen flex cables were all microscope screened, without fault found.
After full reassembly, I was quite confident the n3DS XL would work, at least partially. But not chance, nothing worked at all. Battery voltage is 3.75, and after pressing the power button (contact button functionality was tested), no blue light lit. When plugging in a working charger, no charge light either.
I tested the two fuses on the main and on the daughter boards, tested all resistors OK, and diode (in blue) gave a reading of 0.150v and working as diode.
When connected to the boards, the battery reading was 0v...
I decided to perform additional checks, starting by the only untested ribbon between main and daughter board, and: One trace was broken between 2 pads, I had hopes I could solder enameled wire to repair it. It appeared that I could, but pulled too strong on the soldered wire and ripped off the weakened pad!
After that, I kind of gave up. I'll try tonight to recreate a pad on the broken ribbon. Anyone has a mapping of test points for each trace on this ribbon?
Maybe this will at least make the n3DS XL display a sign of life, but I'm unsure now. Do you have any more hints on things to check?
I've seen a ribbon being sold for 20€, none on Aliexpress. If I cannot fix it, any idea where I could find one for cheap as I'm unsure this will fix anything?
PS: I have a history of repairing original 3DS XL, but not n3DS XL...
Upon reception, I started to open and clean it. It was drenched in coffee, top and bottom cases, but no apparent damage or corrosion. I disassemble absolutely everything, top and bottom cases, washing the case in water, and all parts with IPA. I could not find additional damage, even under the electromagnetic shields. Top screen flex cables were all microscope screened, without fault found.
After full reassembly, I was quite confident the n3DS XL would work, at least partially. But not chance, nothing worked at all. Battery voltage is 3.75, and after pressing the power button (contact button functionality was tested), no blue light lit. When plugging in a working charger, no charge light either.
I tested the two fuses on the main and on the daughter boards, tested all resistors OK, and diode (in blue) gave a reading of 0.150v and working as diode.
When connected to the boards, the battery reading was 0v...
I decided to perform additional checks, starting by the only untested ribbon between main and daughter board, and: One trace was broken between 2 pads, I had hopes I could solder enameled wire to repair it. It appeared that I could, but pulled too strong on the soldered wire and ripped off the weakened pad!
After that, I kind of gave up. I'll try tonight to recreate a pad on the broken ribbon. Anyone has a mapping of test points for each trace on this ribbon?
Maybe this will at least make the n3DS XL display a sign of life, but I'm unsure now. Do you have any more hints on things to check?
I've seen a ribbon being sold for 20€, none on Aliexpress. If I cannot fix it, any idea where I could find one for cheap as I'm unsure this will fix anything?
PS: I have a history of repairing original 3DS XL, but not n3DS XL...