Fairphone

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FP1(U): USB connector / part number and order information

Participate Do It Yourself
#30

Just as a general information:
I thought that I will also have a broken USB connector, bacause I was only able to charge the phone with the original loader properly (1Amp = 5Watts), if I try to use certain cable positions.

But I tried a cleaning of the connector (both, of the FP and of the cable) without opening the FP.
And it seems to help (not yet 100% satisfied, but it was a first try). It is at least ways better!!

I used an (old) electrical tooth brush (not wet!!) to reach all visible parts of the connector.

I also just thought about to use some kind of alcohol or special connector-cleaning liquid, but didn’t try this yet, because I want to avoid any demage to the materials and have to think about what to use. (I think Isopropanol should be working…)

So all people bothering with charging problems should also first check for a dusty connector!
Plus: I did not notice any “movement” of the USB connector, thus it is most likely in deed not broken.

Cheers, Robert

#31

Hi all.

My USB connector broke a while back. I took the phone to a local mobile phone shop and they fixed it for £25, which I was happy with. It’s been fine since then, which was about 4 or 5 months ago.
The man who fixed it said it was much more difficult to fix than most phones, as there was very little space around the USB connector.
Having this done has probably voided the warranty for the phone, but it was either that or buy a new motherboard, which isn’t cheap.

Martin.

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#32

I don’t believe your connector fits very well. I don’t recommend it.

The original part is from Shenzhen’Linkconn’Electronics (http://www.linkconncn.com/), but it does not appear on theier website anymore.
A footprint compatible part is manufactured by Molex and available from Farnell via
MOLEX 105017-0001.
Good luck, soldering the little something is quite a challenge.

9 Likes
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#33

With a good soldering iron and someone experienced in soldering, I would say that is possible. In my last internship I was soldering contacts equally small by hand

#34

Hi Martin,

Where are you in the UK / which phone shop was it? I just tried to get a local phone shop to fix mine and they’ve made the problem worse - my phone won’t turn on any more! I’m hoping I can find someone who can fix this as it wasn’t backed up

Thank you!

#35

Hi Joelle.

I just used a local shop in Bradford around the corner from my work. I just chose that one because it was convenient and because I couldn’t find any bad reviews of it in the Web. The guy who fixed the USB port said that it was trickier to fix than most phones because there was very little space for him to work with.

If Bradford’s any use to you, I’ll find out the shop’s details and let you know.

How that helps,

Martin.

Bern, Switzerland - Broken Micro USB & No spare parts
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#36

Congratulations to Nicedears ! You did a perfect solder job.

I tried it myself and left behind a battlefield. I haven’t tested the proximity sensor yet. It got quite a battering.
Farnell offers the correct replacement for the Fairphone USB socket: [Molex 105017-0001][1].

I think I found while trying to remove the old connector a flaw in the layout design of the motherboard. It was really hard to get the surplus solder out of the THT holes for the two back pins of the connector housing. There were no thermal reliefs for these holes, therefore the solder joint wasn’t optimal in the first place, because the planes around the holes sucked the heat out of the joint before the solder melted properly.

I filed these two pins of the new connector a little tinner in order to fit in the not empty holes.
Attached are a few pictures of my little soldering adventure. At least the USB port did work after the replacement, although looking at the pictures one might guess otherwise …

CIMG3066.JPG2094×1521 467 KB

The disjointed housing pins and the lifted SMD pads.

CIMG3067.JPG2139×1755 637 KB

Backside of the disjoind housing pins. Note the hole with the ripped out pin still inside and the lack of thermal reliefs.

CIMG3092.JPG1745×1297 407 KB

The battlefield after the operation …

Good luck to everybody else trying ! :v: :wink:
[1]: http://uk.farnell.com/molex/105017-0001/micro-usb-2-0-type-b-receptacle/dp/2293836

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#37

Thanks Martin,

I’m in York so not a million miles away, however I found another phone shop in York and it looks as if the first place killed my phone. :frowning:

Thanks anyway!

#38

Just for sake of completeness: If you did not find my previous post in other threads, here you have my suggestion to check (in addition to my post above):
Try to clean your USB connector of the FP1 - it solved my charging problems completely:

Cheers, Robert

1 Like
#40

Whoa, That was a battle,
My MicroUSB port got unsoldered as many of you know the problem
So, I followed this tutorial:

unsoldered everything
Cleaned every pad
I had BAD LUCK and 2 of the pads where broken, so I had to scratch some of the plastic to uncover some copper beneath.
Then, I resoldered the microUSB …

It really really was a pain, but I took a scope, a microsoldering station and lots of patience !

I am unsure if the proximity sensor or the light sensor got destroyed … they may have but at that point it was
No phone
or
a phone without proximity sensor and light sensor (which to me seemed a better option !)

I hope this helps !

2 Likes
#41

After successfully soldering the mini-USB housing back onto the motherboard, I wanted to share my little work-around.

Starting condition: Entire housing was loose. When I removed the motherboard, the housing came off by itself. The four socket-pins of the housing were intact, leaving four holes in the motherboard.

Challenge: Solder the housing firmly onto the motherboard, while connecting the five tiny contacts (I just had a very standard soldering iron).

Solution: Bend all five contacts outward to ensure they would really touch the contacts on the motherboard. While pressing the entire housing into the four holes with some pliers, I soldered the bigger two front socket-pins from the backside of the motherboard.

Notes: It took a while to get the remaining metal to melt. But once it did, it filled the gap between socket-pin and the motherboard nicely and firmly. It’s important to position the housing, the outward-bent five contacts and the pliers well.

1 Like
#42

Pictures! :slight_smile: (Only if you have taken any. No need to open it up again).

#43

I find it really frustrating that this fault on the FP1U cannot be included in the guarantee. FP asks that you return your phone for them to inspect to see if it’s your fault or a manufacturing issue. I emailed them two weeks ago and still no reply. My girlfriend had the same issue with hers but to be without your phone for weeks and to risk having to pay for it to be mended if they deem it your fault just seems ridiculous. And very curious that it’s user error as we both developed the same error within weeks of each other.
Our solution was to buy a spare battery and a universal battery charger but it feels extremely UNFAIRphone to have to buy more STUFF.
If we tried soldering ourselves we could destroy the phone.
I don’t think I’ll be getting a FP2, despite the improved modular nature, as the customer service is terrible.

1 Like
#44

Hi,
How am I supposed to fixe it ?
I did try with other cable, it’s not that, the connector is just dead. it was working hazardously since weeks. I tried to tighten it, and to put some contact cleaner, it worked a bit better for a time, but now, it’s dead for good.
I’m not going to buy a new mother board just for a rigged micro usb connector.
Can any one tell me which usb connector I should buy, where and how to replace it ?
It’s a very common issue on any electronic device, so I’m surprise you cannot buy a spare part for that on Fairphone shop…:frowning:

#45

If you don’t want to microsolder a USB connector yourself, please contact a local repair shop.

Maybe there is even one already in your area, that has experience with a FP1:

#46

Well Actually I would consider solder a Usb connector, but I guess if it has to be microsoldering it’s out of my league then… too bad, I always like to do things myself better.
I will have to consider a tour to the Smartphone Klinik then…
Thanks Stefan.

1 Like
#47

Good point to check for dust and clean the connector, Robert. I had charging problems (but no loose connector). Cleaning the connector out with a needle released loooots of dust and solved the problem!

1 Like
#48

Bordering scary :no_mouth: … I have now noticed the Molex USB connector in a tailored side bar ad in our German Facebook group.

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#49

Great :’( i also have a broken usb plug (have the phone from preorder. So a long time but still is not fun)

When pushing the cable upwards it works but normal plugged in not anymore. Bad to see that it is this type of design. What would be a great solution is a seperate battery loading station. I don’t use the usb plug for different things than chargeing.

#50

Some repair shops offer to repair USB connectors. Maybe there is even one in your area on our community list already: