Forum Phones & Tablets Repair
Discussion Starter - #1 - 1 week ago

Hi,

I'm hoping you can help me out with my FAMOUS FONES 5.7 Notch. 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.


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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.



>>>> FAMOUS FONES 5.7 Notch maintenance guide & schematics (pdf + fz)

Good luck

Discussion Starter - #3 - 1 week ago

@Raul

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 FAMOUS FONES 5.7 Notch 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/used-adb-to-uninstall-system-msg-app-need-to-reinstall-it.3843466/
Take a look at comment #1392
Also, this : https://xdaforums.com/t/remove-assistive-light-completely.2372411/.
You can also check this video starting from minute 5:


The FAMOUS FONES 5.7 Notch 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 FAMOUS FONES 5.7 Notch 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.



emoji scratching head

My FAMOUS FONES 5.7 Notch 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 FAMOUS FONES 5.7 Notch 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://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/120271/HELP!+Need+assistance+replacing+main+flex+cable+to+LCD.

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

Causes: Loose connection, partial damage to flex cable, slight corrosion, software issue. They vary widely in size, from barely visible 01005 (0.4mm x 0.2mm) to larger 0402 or 0603 packages. Comparison: If possible, compare the internal appearance to a known good port of the same model. Liberally apply IPA (90%+) to all areas affected by liquid damage on the motherboard, flex cables, and chassis. In recovery, navigate to `Wipe cache partition` (stock recovery) or `Wipe > Advanced Wipe > Dalvik / ART Cache + Cache` (TWRP). Test with Different Apps: Try multiple navigation or mapping apps to ensure the issue isn't specific to one application. The distance is calculated based on the intensity of the reflected light. Tweezers (fine-point): For manipulating small components and flex cables. Navigating the diverse landscape of flashing and diagnostic software can be daunting, as tools vary significantly between operating systems (Android vs. These connectors are very fragile, so handle them with extreme care, using tweezers or a plastic spudger to gently lift them straight up from their sockets. Check USB Connection Mode: After connecting the phone, swipe down from the top to open the notification panel. Watch multiple high-quality teardown videos specific to your exact phone model (including the specific revision if applicable). Analyzing smartphone charging temperature spikes is crucial because excessive heat during charging can degrade battery health, damage internal components, and, in extreme cases, pose a safety risk. New Adhesive: Use new display adhesive strips during reassembly, especially for water-resistant phones, to help restore some level of dust and splash protection. Requires advanced micro-soldering: Inspection under a microscope for signs of damage around the baseband area, reflowing or reballing the baseband IC, or replacing the baseband PMIC. Corrosion: Check for green, white, or blue residue on the flex cable or connector, indicating water damage. Detecting charging port debris requires a keen eye, the right tools, and a delicate touch, as improper inspection or cleaning can lead to further damage. Motherboard Connector: Examine the connector on the motherboard for bent pins, debris, or corrosion. Go outdoors, away from tall buildings, dense foliage, and any large metal structures that could obstruct satellite signals. The paste will melt and form new, perfectly spherical solder balls on the chip's pads. Upgrading/Downgrading SIM Card Size: Moving from a micro-SIM to a nano-SIM or vice-versa (though most modern phones use nano-SIMs). Other functions not working (e.g., loudspeaker): If the vibration motor was integrated into a larger module that also contained other components, recheck all connections for that module. Be extremely cautious not to puncture or bend the battery, as this can cause it to swell or catch fire. Look for tell-tale signs of water ingress: water marks, mineral deposits, discolored components, and the characteristic green or white corrosion (copper oxidation). Observe Results: Once the phone is fully booted, use it as you normally would. Other times, only the external button or glass can be replaced, leaving the internal sensor untouched. Transferring IMEI-Holding Chips from the Original Board to a Donor Board (Advanced Micro-Soldering) Its primary function is to detect the intensity of surrounding light and automatically adjust the screen's brightness accordingly. Hot Air Rework Station: For removing and replacing integrated micro-components that are too small for a soldering iron alone. Missing or Incorrect Clock Signal: If the SCL or SCK line shows no activity or an incorrect frequency, the module won't know when to read or send data.

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