Help Charging Port

zetroc · Jul 2, 2013

So my charging port is starting to flake on me. I noticed this morning that when plugged in it doesn't charge and that I need to wiggle it a little and if it moves again, it will stop charging.

Is the charging port something I can swap out easily? If I can, I want to avoid upgrading or using insurance. Thanks!

trophynuts · Jul 2, 2013

If you have TEC through VZW you can get it replaced for free under the extended warranty program.

zetroc · Jul 2, 2013

I'm not sure what that is. My bill indicates that I have WPP Asurion Single Tier - Asurion

I'm guessing it is not the same...

jhonb · Jul 2, 2013

zetroc said:
So my charging port is starting to flake on me. I noticed this morning that when plugged in it doesn't charge and that I need to wiggle it a little and if it moves again, it will stop charging.

Is the charging port something I can swap out easily? If I can, I want to avoid upgrading or using insurance. Thanks!

He,He, funny you should ask. you can get the charging port online for about 7 bucks and install it your self. There are videos on Youtube to walk you through it. I did mine yesterday (I don't have a Verizon version phone and they are different so order the right one and watch the right video) It was a lot easier that I thought, but you have to remove the mother board to get at it. I missed removing the volume switch and it tore the ribbon cable to it when I took off the mother board. If I was to do this again today, I would get it right. I was careless. It takes about 15 minutes tops to do. My usb port came with tools to help open the case but you really don't need them. I can buy a new ribbon for my volume, but it looks like it has to be soldered on the mother board. I will look into this down the road, but lets just say, I am getting rid of the gnex book mark on this forum and putting one in for the nexus 4. Ebay and Amazon have them, just get the one for the Verizon version of this phone if that is what you have.

Here is what it looks like:

trophynuts · Jul 2, 2013

zetroc said:
I'm not sure what that is. My bill indicates that I have WPP Asurion Single Tier - Asurion

I'm guessing it is not the same...

it would be worth the time to call VZW and double check.

zetroc · Jul 2, 2013

Jhonb - You are a GENIUS, thank you. I don't know why I didn't think about just replacing the part myself.

Trophynuts - WPP and TEC are not the same. Next time I'm going for TEC.

jhonb · Jul 2, 2013

zetroc said:
Jhonb - You are a GENIUS, thank you. I don't know why I didn't think about just replacing the part myself.

Trophynuts - WPP and TEC are not the same. Next time I'm going for TEC.

Tim K fixed his and he gave me some tips. Just don't get sloppy like I did. I plan to buy a new ribbon and volume control (They sell them for 5 bucks) and see if I can get it working again, but for now, UPS tells me my N4 will be delivered tomorrow. Check out this link:

http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-nexus/722616-dropped-my-gnex-acting-strange.html#post5868922

Tim K · Jul 3, 2013

This is the port I bought for my Verizon Galaxy Nexus.

Amazon.com: ePartSolution-Samsung Galaxy Nexus (LTE) SCH-i515 Charging Port Flex Cable Replacement Part USA Seller: Cell Phones & Accessories

Working fine...

Idunno · Jul 9, 2013

Before you perform surgery on your phone, have you tried using a razor blade or other thin object to pry the connector up? I had this problem with two of my GNex's, the first one I replaced through insurance never thinking I could replace the part myself, the second one I had read a post about doing the razor blade trick and it worked perfectly... and hindsight it probably would have worked for the original as well.

After doing some research I found that a common problem with the usb connector is the little connection board inside the port gets bent down over time... making it so you have to jam the connector in or hold it at a funky angle to get it to make contact. This can be remedied in most cases by simply bending it back up a tiny bit with a razor blade.

It's worth a shot, hope it helps.

zetroc · Jul 9, 2013

I purchased the connector on Amazon Prime and a tool kit. It was incredibly simple following the iFixIt steps. My phone is charging great now... this isn't to say I haven't really considered buying a new phone... it just feel like it's time haha

Plus, my ROM has been acting up, and I'm just over the GNex. Any recommendation? Haha

Idunno · Jul 9, 2013

I'm in the same boat, its not that I don't like the GNex, I do have my complaints but it really has been a great phone (the best one i've had to date). Its just the reality of the market, there are newer better things, and I personally am getting tired of grainy 5MP pictures. I'm on my 3rd GNex (im rough on phones), and rather than paying for insurance again i'm thinking of just upgrading to the S4. My GF just got one, I really like it, its everything you love about the Gnex but with a removable SD card and an AMAZING camera. Plus I don't know if you've seen the feature list for Hyperdrive but that alone makes me want to switch.

Not trying to hijack, just putting in my two cents.

zetroc · Jul 9, 2013

No worries, I appreciate the feedback. In fact, I invited phone suggestions into the thread! I am thinking about the S4. I like it, it's a sweet phone for sure. The only problem is that I can't renew my contract because I am on unlimited data. Verizon offer the option to take a phone at retail and pay it in 12 monthly installments. This would mean I kind of have a contract with Vzw for a year, but not really. I may do that and just keep my unlimited. I may even pay the $300 or so I would have paid to renew and then just pay the difference over twelve months (or sooner)

Idunno · Jul 9, 2013

They should let you upgrade with unlimited... i'm on an old grandfathered unlimited plan and I specifically addressed this issue with verizon. Your line, with your number and contract will always remain unlimited, regardless of upgrades (assuming that you had activated a 4G device on your line prior to ~July 2012, the cutoff for unlimited 4G). If you add a line, thats a different story and those will be subject to tiered data, but your original line (or however many you have unlimited) will retain unlimited data so long as the device is associated with your line (phone number).

If they are trying to jack you around don't let them, I've had numerous people tell me this numerous times at verizon.

jhonb · Jul 9, 2013

Idunno said:
Before you perform surgery on your phone, have you tried using a razor blade or other thin object to pry the connector up? I had this problem with two of my GNex's, the first one I replaced through insurance never thinking I could replace the part myself, the second one I had read a post about doing the razor blade trick and it worked perfectly... and hindsight it probably would have worked for the original as well.

After doing some research I found that a common problem with the usb connector is the little connection board inside the port gets bent down over time... making it so you have to jam the connector in or hold it at a funky angle to get it to make contact. This can be remedied in most cases by simply bending it back up a tiny bit with a razor blade.

It's worth a shot, hope it helps.

That worked for me as far as the charging went, and I thought it had solved my problem, but then I plugged it into my computer and still nothing.

Tim K · Jul 9, 2013

Idunno said:
They should let you upgrade with unlimited... i'm on an old grandfathered unlimited plan and I specifically addressed this issue with verizon. Your line, with your number and contract will always remain unlimited, regardless of upgrades (assuming that you had activated a 4G device on your line prior to ~July 2012, the cutoff for unlimited 4G). If you add a line, thats a different story and those will be subject to tiered data, but your original line (or however many you have unlimited) will retain unlimited data so long as the device is associated with your line (phone number).

If they are trying to jack you around don't let them, I've had numerous people tell me this numerous times at verizon.

That all changed not too long ago. You can keep your # and unlimited data as long as you "bring your own phone" or pay full retail... but if you want to get the 'upgrade price' on a new device you have to give up unlimited data. There are some workarounds if you have multiple devices on an account and you sacrifice unlimited on those lines...and then transfer the new phone from the tiered line to the unlimited line.

jhonb · Jul 9, 2013

Tim K, I guess you read I was not as successful with my port as you were. But the good news is that I got a new Nexus 4 out of it. I also plan to buy the part I tore and put my Gnex back together for a backup or to sell. I could sell just the screen for good money.

The Nexus 4 is very similar to the GNex, but seem a bit larger. It is a little faster, but not lightning faster. I am very pleased.

Idunno · Jul 9, 2013

Tim K said:
That all changed not too long ago. You can keep your # and unlimited data as long as you "bring your own phone" or pay full retail... but if you want to get the 'upgrade price' on a new device you have to give up unlimited data. There are some workarounds if you have multiple devices on an account and you sacrifice unlimited on those lines...and then transfer the new phone from the tiered line to the unlimited line.

Thank you VERY much for the information... I can't believe they're still trying to muscle people out of their unlimited data, this directly contradicts what I was told in store. Now I don't feel bad for using 26 gigs of data last month, if they want to operate their business like a shakedown i'm at least gonna get my money's worth.

Tim K · Jul 10, 2013

jhonb said:
I also plan to buy the part I tore and put my Gnex back together for a backup or to sell. I could sell just the screen for good money.

Idunno,
Maybe jhonb will sell you his broken gnex? Also, I've seen a few digitizers/screens on ebay for $100-130. I think Samsung charges like $165 to replace it but it takes a week or so.

Old Member · Jul 13, 2013

My GNex started doing this this past week. Drives me nuts! I called Asurion and made it all the way paying the $99 for a new phone and hung up. I REFUSE to pay $99 for a new phone that I am able to upgrade August 15th. Not that I'm ready to upgrade it, but it's the principal of the thing. I paid $40 for a universal wall battery charger to get me through.

Idunno · Jul 18, 2013

Cincybearcatfan said:
My GNex started doing this this past week. Drives me nuts! I called Asurion and made it all the way paying the $99 for a new phone and hung up. I REFUSE to pay $99 for a new phone that I am able to upgrade August 15th. Not that I'm ready to upgrade it, but it's the principal of the thing. I paid $40 for a universal wall battery charger to get me through.

I second that. Except I am just going to use my upgrade... I've already done the Asurion thing twice, and realized that I am a chimpanzee because i've effectively paid for an upgrade already, so I (as you) refuse to pay $99 for a GNex that I can upgrade.

sonyboyj · Jul 22, 2013

i know with my gnex it would say charging when it wasnt all i had to do is clean around the charge pin the micro usb goes on and get the dirt out and it works again

Help Charging Port

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