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

Hi,

I'm hoping you can help me out with my Samsung i617 BlackJack II. 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.


forum selected answer
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.



>>>> Samsung i617 BlackJack II maintenance guide & schematics (pdf + fz)

Good luck

Discussion Starter - #3 - 1 week ago

@Arthur

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 Samsung i617 BlackJack II 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/q-how-can-i-put-some-sort-of-app2sd-script-on-stock-desire-rom.2524179/
Take a look at comment #1139
Also, this : https://xdaforums.com/t/which-is-faster-and-more-customizable.1115332/.
You can also check this video starting from minute 5:


The Samsung i617 BlackJack II 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 Samsung i617 BlackJack II 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 Samsung i617 BlackJack II 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 Samsung i617 BlackJack II 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/when-we-can-expect.2943417/

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

Press down firmly and evenly around the entire perimeter of the display. Discoloration: Look for brownish or blackish discoloration on the PCB or components, indicating heat or burning due to a short. If glue gets onto the board, surrounding components, or inside the threads, it can permanently bond the screw or damage components. Third-Party Benchmarking/Monitoring Apps: Apps like AndroBench, Geekbench (storage benchmark), or even DiskInfo might offer some insights. Other Overheating Causes: Remember, thermal paste is only one part of the cooling solution. The Process of De-Laminating and Re-Laminating a Smartphone Display Assembly This can help narrow down if the issue is universal or specific to certain apps (which might indicate an app-specific bug rather than general storage). OCA Adhesive Remover Solution: Chemical liquid for dissolving residual adhesive. Using counterfeit or incompatible chips can lead to further issues or device failure. Known Good Battery: Always start by testing with a known good, charged battery. Practice: If attempting microsoldering for the first time, practice on a junk board before working on a live device. A seller that stands behind their products is more likely to be selling quality items. The "reset circuit" isn't a single component but rather a network of interconnected parts: The software should identify the connected EMMC/UFS chip, displaying its manufacturer, size, and basic information. Higher temperatures can be used but with shorter exposure times and higher risk. Residual Solder Removal: Once the TP IC is removed and the flex has cooled, there will be residual solder on the pads. Clear Cache Partition (via Recovery Mode): A corrupted system cache can sometimes cause booting issues. Extreme Caution with Heat: Always keep the heat gun moving and check the temperature with your hand frequently. The DDI ensures these voltages are stable and delivered efficiently to maintain consistent brightness and color. Assessing smartphone waterproofing failures is a critical diagnostic process, particularly after a device has been exposed to liquids, to determine the extent of damage and whether the ingress protection (IP) rating has been compromised. Remove Backing: Most thermal pads come with protective films on both sides. Before using a hot air station for diagnostics, reinforce these safety practices: Minerals and impurities in the water act as electrolytes, leading to corrosion and short circuits, which can rapidly destroy delicate components on the logic board. When a liquid enters a smartphone, it can cause immediate and long-term damage: Plastic Prying Tools (Spudgers) and Opening Picks: To separate adhesive and pry components. Booting your smartphone into safe mode can help determine if a third-party application is interfering. These often include critical security patches, bug fixes, and performance enhancements that improve stability and efficiency. Diagnosing these elusive faults requires a systematic approach, keen observation skills, and an understanding of where connections are most likely to fail. In such a scenario, the front camera module itself might need replacement. Using too much adhesive can also cause issues, potentially seeping into the camera module.

1 - 13 of 13 Posts

Page top