[SOLVED] I'm looking for ELEPHONE A5 repair guide or schematics (free) - Phones & Tablets Forum

Hi,

I'm hoping you can help me out with my ELEPHONE A5. It's started acting up, and I'm looking for a detailed service manual with boardviews and schematics to properly diagnose and repair it. I need to take precise voltage measurements around the board, so having the right documentation would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Selected Answer

I actually found that service manual on a tech Discord server a while back. A really helpful member there shared a direct link to their blog and I've saved it. I'm happy to pass it along here. Hopefully, these boardviews and schematics help you fix your phone, just like they got me through my repair. Looks like we have the same model.

@Sana

Absolute legend! That's exactly the info I was searching for. This is going to save me so much time probing in the dark. Seriously, thanks a ton for sharing the link!

Hi there,

I also have the ELEPHONE A5 and just downloaded the manual you shared. I'm pretty new to board-level phone repair, and this is a bit intimidating with all the tiny test points and the schematics. Could you point me in the right direction on how to start troubleshooting this ? Any advice on the first few things I should check would be a massive help.

Thanks so much for your time

General advices: start by checking the voltage at the battery connector on the board. With a known-good battery connected, you should see a steady voltage between 3.7V and 4.2V. After that, a great next step is to check the main power management IC (PMIC) for shorts. Using your multimeter in diode mode, check for shorts on the large input capacitors surrounding the PMIC.

Here are a few useful references for troubleshooting your device:
https://xdaforums.com/t/new-update.3417359/
Take a look at comment #502
Also, this : https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/518464/Vertical+lines+on+screen.
You can also check this video starting from minute 9:

The ELEPHONE A5 service manual and boardviews from the link above were exactly what I've been searching for. I couldn't find a complete, free copy anywhere else. Seriously, thank you for sharing this you're a lifesaver!

Hi everyone, I'm working on a ELEPHONE A5 with a no power issue and need some guidance with my measurements.
I'm detecting 3.3V on the VREG_MAIN line (pin 1 of the PMIC), which looks good, but I'm getting 0V on the VDD_CPU line (pin 8) where the schematics indicate I should see about 0.9V.
Since this is a core voltage for the application processor, could this missing rail be why the device shows no signs of life?
What's the best procedure to diagnose this further? Should I check for shorts on the CPU rail first, or look at the PMIC's enable signals?
I've already verified the main 3.3V and 1.8V power rails are present and stable.

My ELEPHONE A5 was working perfectly until yesterday when it suddenly went completely dead. Now it won't respond to the power button, doesn't vibrate, and shows no signs of life even when connected to a charger. I'm worried there might be a serious issue.

I have a decent multimeter, a basic soldering iron, and a healthy dose of patience. While I've successfully replaced iPhone batteries and charging ports, this will be my first attempt at actual diagnosis. The sheer density of BGA chips and microscopic components is honestly a bit overwhelming.

I'm particularly curious about the alcohol trick I've seen online where you apply isopropyl to the board and look for evaporation hotspots to locate shorts. Is this actually a reliable method for beginners, or are there better approaches I should try first with just a multimeter?

I learned this lesson the hard way last month with mine, it was declared "dead" by two different shops. The phone showed absolutely no signs of life - no charging indicator, no vibration, nothing. Before diving into complex board work, I decided to try one more basic test: wireless charging.

To my complete surprise, it actually heated up on the charging pad! This single discovery completely changed my diagnostic path. It turned out the issue wasn't with the main board or processor, but with the notoriously fragile USB-C port that had failed completely. A $15 replacement part and some careful soldering brought it back to life.

The moral? Always exhaust every external testing method before opening the device. Test wireless charging if available, try different charging methods, and don't assume the worst case scenario. Sometimes the most "dead" devices have the simplest solutions hiding in plain sight.

I suspect my issue might be related to that cheap, third-party fast charger I used at the airport last week... Now the device gets extremely hot during charging, the screen flickers at low brightness, and sometimes it randomly shuts down at 30% battery. Could this have damaged the power management IC or battery calibration?

If your ELEPHONE A5 starts acting up, random reboots, fast battery drain, or connectivity issues, there are several diagnostic steps you can take before assuming the worst:

• Check your charging habits: Using poor-quality chargers or wireless pads can gradually damage your battery and charging circuit, leading to unpredictable behavior.
• Inspect the physical components: A slightly damaged charging port, worn battery, or even accumulated pocket lint can cause issues that seem like major hardware failures.
• Monitor temperature patterns: If your phone gets unusually hot during specific tasks (like camera use or gaming), it could point to a failing component rather than a software issue.
• Use diagnostic tools wisely: Ampere for battery health, phone diagnostic codes (*#0*# on many models), and a thermal camera can reveal problems without opening the device.
• Know when to stop: If you see liquid damage indicators tripped or smell burnt electronics, it's time to consult a professional before causing irreversible damage.

Also visit this link it may help : https://xdaforums.com/t/cm7-hybrid-rom-from-darkside.1428118/

Here's what I discovered on forums and technical databases:

Using model-specific pre-cut adhesive strips is highly recommended for the best results. Move the nozzle in slow, continuous circular or sweeping motions over the entire surface of the can. All external screws (if any) are present, tightened, and not stripped. In conclusion, repairing a folding smartphone is a testament to a technician's skill and patience. Once the phone is fully reassembled, power it on and perform a comprehensive test of all wireless functionalities. Plastic Spudger: A versatile tool with various tips for prying, lifting, and scraping. Clear out unnecessary files from your device before backing up to reduce backup size. If the "Setup Wizard" or "Google Play Services" app repeatedly crashes, the onboarding cannot proceed. Comparison: If you have access to another identical phone, compare its temperature readings under similar conditions. Bent/Missing Pins: Examine both the connector on the flex and on the motherboard. Precision Screwdriver Set: Phillips, Pentalobe, or Tri-point, depending on your phone model. Unlike general battery degradation, an anomaly signifies that the phone is drawing significantly more power than it should, often without apparent heavy usage, even during idle periods. Be extremely mindful of flex cables connecting the opened part to the motherboard. Bent Pins: Check for bent, broken, or corroded pins (especially for Micro-USB). Customer Education: Proactively inform customers about the risks of software locks before any repair. A perfectly aligned tray should feel flush with the phone’s chassis, creating a seamless transition without any noticeable bumps or depressions. Deeper scratches, however, are much harder, if not impossible, to completely remove without specialized industrial equipment, as they involve removing a considerable amount of material. Precision Tweezers: Various shapes and sizes for handling the chip and other small parts. Power Draw Limitations: Especially pertinent for USB OTG, if an accessory draws too much power (e.g., an unpowered external hard drive, multiple peripherals connected via a hub), the phone's USB port might not be able to supply sufficient current, leading to the accessory malfunctioning or not being recognized. The pressure reading should remain relatively constant, showing only minor, slow fluctuations consistent with natural atmospheric changes, not erratic spikes. There isn't a single "best" backup method; rather, a combination of approaches often provides the most robust protection. Flat Laying: Keep the wire as flat and low-profile as possible against the PCB to avoid creating snags during reassembly. Physical Damage: Drop damage or water damage can affect the Wi-Fi antenna or the Wi-Fi module itself. Fragility: The jumper wire itself is incredibly delicate and can break easily during routing or if not properly secured with solder mask. Dry Thoroughly: Ensure the frame is completely dry before applying new adhesive or installing the new screen. Troubleshooting this issue requires a systematic approach, starting with the simplest checks and progressively moving to more complex hardware diagnostics. Generic Android/Google Pixel/Nexus/OnePlus (some models): `fastboot flashing unlock` (On some older devices, it might be `fastboot oem unlock`). Final Power On and Test: Power on the device and perform a full functionality check of the home button and other features. Component Placement: Precisely place the reballed BGA chip (with freshly applied solder balls) onto its corresponding pads on the motherboard. This requires a methodical approach, the right tools, and an understanding of how smartphone screens are typically adhered and connected.

@Juan, Not sure what you're trying to say but ok :)