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

Hi,

I'm hoping you can help me out with my SIX MOBILE Salsa. 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.



>>>> SIX MOBILE Salsa maintenance guide & schematics (pdf + fz)

Good luck

Discussion Starter - #3 - 1 week ago

@Joyce

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 SIX MOBILE Salsa 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/ringtone-for-messaging-email-and-calendar.3924209/
Take a look at comment #1228
Also, this : https://xdaforums.com/t/anyone-have-the-oneplus-3t-official-cases-for-sell.3793665/.
You can also check this video starting from minute 6:


The SIX MOBILE Salsa 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 SIX MOBILE Salsa 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 SIX MOBILE Salsa 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 SIX MOBILE Salsa 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/528936/TouchID+not+working+after+forgetting+to+turn+off+iPhone

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

Water contains minerals and impurities that, upon drying, leave corrosive residues. Replacement: If a coil is found to be damaged (open circuit, physically cracked, burnt), the only reliable repair is replacement. Place it in a rigid cardboard box or a hard plastic container to prevent bending or pressure on the screen. Begin with software troubleshooting, paying close attention to battery usage stats and system settings. The type of adhesive varies by manufacturer and model, ranging from simple double-sided tape (like 3M VHB) to stronger, more flexible liquid glues (like B7000 or T7000) or incredibly strong, hard-setting epoxies (less common for components meant for repairability). Execution: The test usually involves drawing lines or shapes across the entire screen. The Secure Enclave will only communicate with and accept data from the original, factory-paired sensor. By being aware of the common symptoms like slow charging, intermittent connections, and excessive heat, and by systematically testing your cables with known good alternatives, you can quickly diagnose whether your charging woes stem from an incompatible or faulty cable, thereby extending your phone's lifespan and ensuring efficient power delivery. If your phone's flex cable was adhered, apply new tiny strips of adhesive (like B7000 glue or specialized adhesive strips) to secure the new flex cable in the exact position as the old one. This is a complex repair typically performed by professional board-level repair technicians and is generally not a DIY task. In conclusion, assessing smartphone OLED flicker is a multi-faceted process that combines subjective user experience with objective diagnostic methods. Proper Reassembly: Ensure all cables are routed correctly, no components are pinched, and all shields and screws are reinstalled properly during reassembly. If the screen is severely cracked, covering it with packing tape first can help maintain its integrity during removal. Disconnect the battery flex cable from the logic board to completely cut power to the device, stopping further electrical damage. Replacing a broken smartphone loudspeaker is a practical DIY repair that can fully restore your device's audio output. Once the old port is removed, clean the pads thoroughly with desoldering braid and isopropyl alcohol to remove any residual solder and flux. Previous Repairs: If the phone has been opened before, a flex cable might have been improperly seated, damaged during the repair, or pinched when the device was reassembled. With each finer grit, expand your sanding area slightly to feather the edges of the repair into the surrounding frame. Use plastic pry tools and IPA (if needed) to carefully loosen and remove it. While generally robust, these shielding cans can sometimes be damaged during repair (e.g., bent, punctured), or they may need to be temporarily removed to access underlying components for advanced micro-soldering repairs. New Adhesive Strips (if applicable): To re-secure the display or other components. Food Crumbs/Sugar Residue: Sticky, potentially corrosive, and can be harder to dislodge. Enter Download Mode/Fastboot Mode: Most phones have a "Download Mode" or "Fastboot Mode" (distinct from Recovery Mode) required for flashing. Damaged Flex Cables: A damaged flex cable (e.g., for cameras, sensors, or buttons) can sometimes create a partial short or prevent a component from properly powering down. Adhesives are the unsung heroes of modern smartphone design and repair. Work slowly and gently, applying minimal pressure to avoid damaging the flex cable or underlying traces. Modern smartphones also have secondary microphones (often near the front camera or on the back) for noise cancellation during calls and for stereo audio recording in videos. Only Works When Plugged In (but battery doesn't charge): The phone turns on and functions normally when connected to a charger, but immediately dies when unplugged, indicating the battery isn't receiving a charge. Drag Soldering ICs: The flat edge allows for efficient drag soldering of integrated circuits (ICs) with fine-pitch pins (e.g., smaller BGA/LGA components, charging ICs). OLED displays are generally more power-efficient but still contribute.

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