[SOLVED] I'm looking for Tecno Camon 18 repair guide or schematics (free) - Phones & Tablets Forum

Hi,

I'm hoping you can help me out with my Tecno Camon 18. 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.

@Shawn

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 Tecno Camon 18 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-request-for-se-xperia-x10-mini-pro-wallpapers.1329642/
Take a look at comment #280
Also, this : https://xdaforums.com/t/tpms-apps-reading-discrepancy.4660143/.
You can also check this video starting from minute 4:

The Tecno Camon 18 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 Tecno Camon 18 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 Tecno Camon 18 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 Tecno Camon 18 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/where-to-find-the-stock-kernel-of-n900-kitkat-india.2694065/

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

Next, locate and remove the two external pentalobe or Phillips screws typically found on either side of the charging port at the very bottom edge of the phone. Motherboard damage (scratched traces, heat damage) during micro-soldering. Heat gun or hair dryer: Essential for softening adhesive to remove the back cover or screen. Immediately turn off the hot air and allow the board to cool naturally on the preheater for a few minutes before removing it. Inability to Focus Properly: While primarily a focus actuator issue, a severely malfunctioning OIS can sometimes interfere with the camera's ability to achieve stable focus, as the lens elements are constantly moving erratically. Software Glitch/App Interference: OS bugs or third-party apps interfering with audio pathways. They are factory-calibrated and rely on sophisticated algorithms to interpret touch input. Reassemble & Test: Reassemble the phone and test charging, temperature monitoring (via diagnostic apps), and overall stability. RAM/CPU Issues: Problems with the main processor or RAM are severe and typically indicate a dead motherboard, requiring professional micro-soldering or board replacement. Insert a thin tool, such as a metal spudger, a very thin plastic opening pick, or even a razor blade (use extreme caution with metal tools to avoid scratching the phone's housing or internal camera lens) into a corner or edge of the damaged glass. Low-light performance is often severely impacted, with increased noise and an overall muddy appearance. In rare cases, a manufacturing defect in the lens coating itself or degradation of internal components over time could contribute to a persistent hazy appearance. Good lighting: Bright, adjustable LED lighting to illuminate dark areas within the phone. Modern smartphones often integrate multiple antennas for various wireless technologies: cellular (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and sometimes NFC. Place Motherboard: Submerge the motherboard completely in the ultrasonic cleaner. Check all wireless functions (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular signal strength), call quality, and general device stability. Carefully reconnect all flex cables, place components, and reinstall shields, securing them with their screws (including the one for the repaired anchor). Digitizer Data Lines: Transmit touch input data from the digitizer controller back to the CPU. Symptoms: Most noticeable at low brightness settings, often in dimly lit rooms. Factory Reset (Last Resort for Software): If all else fails, a factory reset will revert your phone to its original software state. Apply Flux: Apply a small amount of flux to the pads on the logic board and to the component. The presence of such debris is a strong indicator that there's an opening or a compromised seal, which often goes hand-in-hand with misalignment. Check for Liquid Damage: Look for a Liquid Damage Indicator (LDI) sticker (often white, turns red/pink when exposed to water) in the SIM tray slot, charging port, or under the battery (if removable). Surface tension will help it snap into place during reflow, but initial alignment is critical. Reliability: Stable temperatures contribute to stable operation and fewer unexpected shutdowns or crashes. For streaming video, poor network connectivity can lead to buffering, audio dropouts, or audio/video sync issues. Trace Extension: Extending the underlying trace using fine copper foil or an even finer jumper wire. If one side comes up significantly more than the other, you risk bending pins. Use your precision screwdrivers to remove them, being meticulous in noting their original locations and lengths. For modern phones with internal batteries, proceed to the next step quickly.

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