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This post is to describe the issues I've had with the USB Port in my E4GT. You may want to keep this thread handy in case it might help in the future.
This is software agnostic, so the kernel/ROM is not relevant.
So -- anywho -- yesterday I was out of town purchasing a new vehicle and noticed that my phone was getting really poor battery life. I generally can make it through a day with light usage, but I was getting serious, serious drain. I also had my first LOSs -- three of them within a hour. Since the beginning of October, I have only had one LOS, and that was a "ghost LOS". I think the LOS was obviously a major issue in the battery drain, but what I describe below could have had a serious effect as well.
I took the phone off overnight charge at 8:30 AM. After some discussions with the salesperson, he needed to do some stuff. I was waiting and reading a forum with xScope Pro (they didn't have Tapatalk). All of a sudden, Vlingo popped up and asked me to accept the license agreement. I cancelled out of that and the phone told me I was in car mode. I told it to deactivate car mode, and everything was okay. When I was using my EVO 4G, the forums were full of messages about car mode activating, but I never had that problem. I figured it was par for the course that one of my Androids would have this issue. By 4:30 PM, I had the car mode issue come up a few more times, but my car charger and my home charger worked fine.
This morning, my phone would not connect to the computer. I also had a strange "green screen" where everything was in a green hue on my phone. It apparently self-corrected about 10 seconds after it occurred. It would turn on the charging light, but not connect to the computer. My USB jig also did not function. It wouldn't turn the phone on. I started freaking out and was trying to prepare it to go back for a repair/replacement, but Odin wouldn't find it. I blew into the USB port to try to clear out any possible particles... That didn't help. I eventually jiggled/wiggled/cast magic and got it to Odin. Thinking it could be an issue with the kernel/ROM, I hoped that Odin back to stock would fix the problem. I did a ##RTN# reset and plugged it in. Absolutely nothing. No charging light, no beep from the phone or computer.
I started searching and found some XDA threads about the Int'l SGSII and apparently it is a known problem with these phones -- some people even replacing the USB ports themselves. I didn't look to see if the particular part was available for our phones, but I was able to solve the problem by the following:
Parts Required:
1. Dentek Floss Pick (or whatever is non-metallic and small)
2. Contact Cleaner (I didn't use this, but some people said it helped them)
My technique was to carefully use the toothpick to poke around in the USB port and flush out any particles that were in there. I didn't see anything come out. The interesting part of this was a suggestion to "bend the PCB down a bit". That's the part that sticks out of the USB port for your cable to seat on. I moved it down slightly (it doesn't seem to be terribly hard to move). Once I plugged the phone back in, everything worked again. My USB jig works, the regular charger works, the computer recognizes it. I plugged/unplugged it in many times after the "fix" and it seems to work!!
If you try this yourself, be careful not to damage the PCB in the USB port. I'm not responsible for anything that happens.
tl;dr version:
? USB port acting weird? Can't connect? Getting random car mode?
! Clean it out with contact cleaner/skinny toothpick
! Possibly bend the PCB down a smidge
Yeah you see this a lot on android phones and the normal cause is LD or in other words corrosion in the usb port
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App
I just started having this issue last night after having it replaced once already for a "random menu key". Has this issue resurfaced for you at all since this "fix"?
I had the same problem, however, I read somewhere else to nudge the usb port up instead of down. I nudged it up (towards screen) just a bit, and it seems to work fine, now (fingers crossed). YMMV, maybe some are off kilter towards the top and others toward the bottom.
same problem
I have a epic 4g touch that was poorly rooted and needs to be restored but unfortunately odin will not recognize it WHAT SO EVER.
it charges but wont register in windows 7 64bit (desktop) or 32bit (laptop)
I've been using the same micro usb cable.
This mught be the solution, if it works i'll report back
Why does it have to be non-metallic?
Can't I use a pin or something?
Thanks for starting this thread. I just started getting the car mode problem where it will flicker and prompt me to exit car mode.
I'm guessing this trick will work.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
The metallic may short circuit your phone if you touch the pins together.
eljean said:
Why does it have to be non-metallic?
Can't I use a pin or something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
Hope it works for you!
mjs2011 said:
Thanks for starting this thread. I just started getting the car mode problem where it will flicker and prompt me to exit car mode.
I'm guessing this trick will work.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
Seems good now. Not sure if this is safe or not, but I plugged my charger in, and then slightly tilted it down bending away from the screen. Since doing so, I haven't had any issues of car mode googling on/off on its own. It's been two hours since I did the trick where beforehand, the issue would occur every 10 minutes or less.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
toussant said:
I have a epic 4g touch that was poorly rooted and needs to be restored but unfortunately odin will not recognize it WHAT SO EVER.
it charges but wont register in windows 7 64bit (desktop) or 32bit (laptop)
I've been using the same micro usb cable.
This mught be the solution, if it works i'll report back
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be a troll, but can you please elaborate on how a phone can be "poorly rooted"???
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
The flash went bad and it got bricked. thats what I meant
:0)
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
Ha! That actually worked. My phone started having the "forever on" red LED, and behaving as if it was always charging (screen wouldn't turn off after 5 seconds when locked like it normally does when unplugged). Bent the little pcb tab down with the end of a plastic toothpick and the light turned off. Hopefully it'll stay, but I'm guessing if it starts up again I'll just have to bend it a little more. THANKS.
Brent,
Glad you got it working! I have had to do this once more since I posted initially -- it really does seem to work.
Brent212 said:
Ha! That actually worked. My phone started having the "forever on" red LED, and behaving as if it was always charging (screen wouldn't turn off after 5 seconds when locked like it normally does when unplugged). Bent the little pcb tab down with the end of a plastic toothpick and the light turned off. Hopefully it'll stay, but I'm guessing if it starts up again I'll just have to bend it a little more. THANKS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Been flashing a few roms and everything was going ok until,,,
Tonight Neither my laptop nor my desktop would recognize my phone! Tried different cables, ports, cuss words,,, nothing was working.
A small amount of pressure downward on the usb tab and, BINGO! Back on the road to flashing.
Thanks OP And XDA for being here. :laugh:
I started experiencing this car mode bug recently, and after doing a factory reset, reformatting all partitions and flashing 3 different ROMs with no luck resolving it, I was sure it wasn't related to software and was getting used to the idea that all the bumps, drops and abuse I had put my e4gt through had finally caught up with me. luckily found this thread and gave it a try. 6 hrs later and everything seems ok. thank you!
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Xparent Blue Tapatalk 2
Worked like a charm for me.
Hey thanks for this post man!! I am using SGS 4g, I was struggling with car mode issue since past few days. I was literally scavenging google and XDA until I came across this very valuable post of yours.
I didn't use the materials you suggested instead I used my old useless waste toothbrush to clean up the dirt and blew air in the USB port through my mouth forcefully. And ofcourse I had to bend the PCB a bit.
In the beginning the USB storage wasn't being detected on my laptop, then I bent the USB PCB a bit up and down very gently, this didn't work , so I decided to uninstall the USB storage device drivers from the device manager of windows 7. And there it was, done!! Hehehehe and boy oh boy was I thinking my phone was due for a repair or a check up.
It is a bit risky but as they say finders keepers, losers weepers....
Once again very useful post, thanks for the initiative :good:
Awesome. Glad it worked for you!
Faisal Merchant said:
Hey thanks for this post man!! I am using SGS 4g, I was struggling with car mode issue since past few days. I was literally scavenging google and XDA until I came across this very valuable post of yours.
I didn't use the materials you suggested instead I used my old useless waste toothbrush to clean up the dirt and blew air in the USB port through my mouth forcefully. And ofcourse I had to bend the PCB a bit.
In the beginning the USB storage wasn't being detected on my laptop, then I bent the USB PCB a bit up and down very gently, this didn't work , so I decided to uninstall the USB storage device drivers from the device manager of windows 7. And there it was, done!! Hehehehe and boy oh boy was I thinking my phone was due for a repair or a check up.
It is a bit risky but as they say finders keepers, losers weepers....
Once again very useful post, thanks for the initiative :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
I have gotten so many replacements for this problem it's insane. I just got another one tonight. I have 4 batteries and an external battery charger now just to deal with the not being able to charge issue so my phone doesn't die while I'm at work. I'll have to try this next time it happens because I'm sure it'll do it again.
Since this morning my phone says it's charging when in fact it's unplugged. I tried cleaning the charging port, wiping cache, full wiping and reinstalling the rom, everything and don't understand why it'll never get off charging state.
I do check in settings while unplugged it says not charging and when plugged in says charging, but it's stuck saying "on battery for 23 min" and the icon never stops from charging....
Any suggestions? It's really annoying... Never had a single problem with my One S...
SOLUTION: Clean the charger port with a hard pointed object (that's what she said), make sure you clean and dirt or particles from underneath the middle piece in the charger port.
Also, if you notice the middle piece is too close or making contact with the bottom, use the pointed object to CAREFULLY bend it up a little.
Do all this while the phone is off and battery out. Use compressed air if available. if you wet it then completely dry it before putting the battery back in.
did you try wiping the Dalvik cache when you did the regular cache?
masterkamon842 said:
Any suggestions? It's really annoying... Never had a single problem with my One S...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Soo... do you have a One S with this problem, or a Galaxy Nexus?
zuberio said:
did you try wiping the Dalvik cache when you did the regular cache?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I did.
martonikaj said:
Soo... do you have a One S with this problem, or a Galaxy Nexus?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A nexus.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Have you tested what happens when you install a different ROM?
something like this happened to me about 2weeks ago.
It would say saying/ disconnected none stop.. if i didnt notice it would of burned my screen.
I just turned the phone off and removed the battery
Read an weep: http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=23789
A LOT of users have reported this problem, yet Samsung claims it is water damage and won't do a warranty repair: http://www.reddit.com/r/GalaxyNexus/comments/tqlii/samsung_refusing_to_honor_warranty_for_infamous/
There is already a thread on this which has some useful info:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1427539It ranges from yep your charging port is f*cked or it just needs a clean and little tweak.
To get mine fixed I gave it blast with compressed air and a little needle to make sure all the lint/gunk was out of the port. I made sure the port was straight (if it looks like it is bent downwards slightly, try and pop it back up softly). Then what fixed it for me is to hit it with a little electrical contact cleaner.
I have a feeling the port was getting shorted by something as each of the pins on the microusb port are very close.
Hope that helps
Interesting - I'll have to keep an eye out for something like this on my phone.
I guess first step is the compressed air blast with a needle cleaning of the port. If that doesn't work then on to Samsung to see if they'll honor a warranty repair (outlook not good on this - apparently they claim water damage). Worst case you can get a replacement OEM charging cable off ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Charge-...440?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33746d1eb8
And fix the faulty part yourself or have someone you trust do it.
[EDIT] here's a link to ifixit for step by step instructions on how to take your phone apart http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Samsung-Galaxy-Nexus-Teardown/7182/1#.T7pzI8XdOII
Thanks to all the suggestions, it does the same thing even after wiping, installing other roms or going back to stock. I tried cleaning it with a toothbrush but will try with a toothpick or something stronger. Will give updates once I do.
I would suggest the electrical contact cleaner is going to be a good bet too. If it is water damage, it could just be a bit of water has gotten in there (from a table, rain etc) and then when its dried impurities could be shorting the plug.
I am not sure what stores in the states have it (maybe bestbuy?), but we have an electronic store here called Jaycar which sells it. You could even just slip in and give it a quick spray in the isle.
Turn the phone off before doing it, and make sure it is ECC!
Fixed! It was the charger port. All i did was clean it out with a metal pointed object. I also noticed the middle piece was touching the bottom edge. It could've been making false contact. So i bent it up just a little and voila problem solved.
Hopefully this thread may further serve as future reference. Thanks everyone for your help!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
I know I don't have a Galaxy Nexus, but the Nexus S can also suffer from the same problem. I believe it's because of the USB ports that are the same.
Inside the USB port of the phone there is a flat plate which slides into the wall charger/USB cable, I've noticed that when this is "bent" down it will show that it's charging when it isn't, so all you need to do is to find something (I used the tip of the missus'one plastic nail file) to "bend" it up about a millimetre or two and all should be fine.
Worked for me, so I thought I would try to help out here because I know how infuriating it can be.
I had this problem a couple of weeks ago. I also had issues with being unable to connect my phone to a computer. I contacted Samsung, explained my issue and they sent me packaging to send it away. It took me 45 mins to get the computer to recognise my phone to return it to stock, but i managed it. I then wrote a nice little letter explaining the issue, that others also had the issue and that I recommended changing the whole charging board.
I got it back a week later and lo and behold, they'd taken my advice and fitted a new charging board. Now it might just be me, but the inside of the micro USB port looks slightly different. I just can't put my finger on why.
Hi, I had this problem but i sprayed "metal cleaner" on a toothbrush and wiped the contact and now it works fine again :3
This happened to me yesterday. First the phone doesnt charge, it was at 25%, After that i charged it with phone turned off, then turned on and battery whas 50% but still not charging. Turned off again, plugged the charger and it looks like was chargin, when i turned on again it was at 12%, like the charger just discharge it xD. After that the problem began, the battery icon shows like charging when unplugged....
Looks like i managed to clean it with a needle, now the chargin notification is gone, and i can transfer files via USB to my laptop, but still i cant charge with AC :-/
And when i plug the usb cable, the notification icon comes again :-/
OMG Thanks it's alive it's alive
After some time my charge port started giving me issues again. I tried messing around with it but all I did was break it. Eventually I bought a replacement flex cable and ended up installing it myself. Very easy to do. Looked up a video on YouTube and in 10 minutes my phone was charging again.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
I had to replace my micro usb charging port
When my phone wouldnt stop charging after being disconnected i ended up solving the issue by going here for the part and tools which is $5 posted.
ebay(dot)com.au/itm/Replacement-Charger-Port-Flex-Cable-Tools-Samsung-i9250-Galaxy-Nexus-GQFC441-/180922260932?pt=AU_MobilePhoneAccessories&hash=item2a1fce9dc4#ht_1368wt_1014[/url]
And i used this guide to pull my nexus apart.
ifixit(dot)com/Guide/Repairing-Samsung-Galaxy-Nexus-Micro-USB-Charge-Port/9641/1[/url]
Just be very careful on step 6 "Some have reported the cable is soldered to the mainboard. This was not the case on this CDMA version. It may be soldered in newer revisions or the GSM model."
I broke my volume down because the guide didnt have a warning !
I hope this might help anyone else who is having problems
n-0-s
masterkamon842 said:
After some time my charge port started giving me issues again. I tried messing around with it but all I did was break it. Eventually I bought a replacement flex cable and ended up installing it myself. Very easy to do. Looked up a video on YouTube and in 10 minutes my phone was charging again.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you link the video you used to help replace the flex cable. I can't seem to find one. Thanks!
Today I updated my Galaxy Nexus to 4.1.2 and after the update time to time battery indicator changing to charging, though I haven't even connected to a charger. Manually flashed the yajku factory ROM again. But the problem continues. Removing the battery also didn't solve the problem. Anyone else facing this?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
its not a software thing..search around ghost charging problem
ur micro usb port is fault, probably little bit blent inside..u can try to fix it urself or sent it to repair
I use v4.1.2.
But I have no trouble.
phazer250first said:
I use v4.1.2.
But I have no trouble.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
++
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
I have heard this before, is not update related, your micro USB port could be broken better to send it to repair
also, try wiping battery stats
svtfmook said:
also, try wiping battery stats
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this does nothing. period.
zammi said:
Today I updated my Galaxy Nexus to 4.1.2 and after the update time to time battery indicator changing to charging, though I haven't even connected to a charger. Manually flashed the yajku factory ROM again. But the problem continues. Removing the battery also didn't solve the problem. Anyone else facing this?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had the same exact problem. its the usb port. try blowing it with an air machine and cleaning it with a needle. and see if the metal thing inside is bent downside. if so, try bending it upwards with care.
do all this while having the phone off and battery pulled out.
svtfmook said:
also, try wiping battery stats
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wiping battery stats is in no way, shape, or form, related to battery indication.
Your usb pin may be bent, making it contact the metal casing in the usb port. If its bent, you can carefully bend it back with a toothpick cut in half, then shaved down to a point. Dont use a metal object to do this. If it needs a good cleaning, wal mart sells electronics cleaner in an aerosol can in the automotive isle, spray some in a cup, and dip a new (not used) toothbrush in it and use it to scrub the port. Hold the phone upright while doing this so nothing drips inside the phone. And power off and remove the battery beforehand. Let it evaporate for a min before turning it back on. If that doesnt do it, then you must have some water damage. Ive had it happen to my girlfriends' nexus TWICE. Imagine that. You can buy a new usb charging port flex cable online for about $7. And there are a few videos showing how to disassemble the nexus. Its pretty easy to change if you're like me and buy your devices from amazon with no warranty
This happened to me too now...
it can't be the usb-port...
I am reverting to 4.1.1 (thank god for backups).
To see if this solves it.
Returning with answer.
Edit:
4.1.1 didnt help,
started digging out some dust from there... That seems to have made the deed, but ive only tried for a couple of mins...
It started to "charge", and started charging after i plugged it in...
Deleted (see next post).
I fixed my problem by moving the middle platform in the USB slot upwards using a toothpick.
I've already googled and found that it seems like this problem happens to galaxy nexus owners often so...
I noticed yesterday morning that my phone would think it was still charging despite being unplugged. Looking into the battery stats it could tell when it was or wasn't.
My suspicion is that my use of an old micro usb cable (plastic housing was kind of chipped off) led to it wiggling more than normal, and something got messed up within the micro usb port of my gnex.
It still charges fine. I went on to update to 4.2.1 (dirty flash I guess?); upon booting up it would flip back from charging and not charging for a little bit, then go back to charging.
I think I was able to get my phone to light up and say it was charging while off as well, so I'm pretty damn sure it's hardware...
My issue is that I'm still within a year of my warranty, but I've already rooted and unlocked, and am not 100% familiar with reverting and back anymore... I haven't tried contacting Samsung either.
I think I could live with it being stuck charging, as long as it still charged. It just seems like it has problems reading on whether or not it is or isn't, not being able to charge.
Should I try to seek a warranty fix? What's my best option at this point?
Thanks!
look in your usb port, make sure that none of the fingers are slightly bent touching each other. ive found thats the most common cause of the phone showing that its charging when its not.
simms22 said:
look in your usb port, make sure that none of the fingers are slightly bent touching each other. ive found thats the most common cause of the phone showing that its charging when its not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think something may be touching, but I've never looked before so I'm not sure if it wasn't like that to begin with. I'm going to try taking a picture of it tonight when I get off work, but I don't suppose you could explain to me what the fingers are? I tried googling briefly but didn't find anything.
IF you haven't fixed this, try a toothbrush with some rubbing alcohol on it. I had the same problem, and it solved my problem. I imaging some dirt was just shorting a connector.
I had this issue happen to me before. I decided to send it into Samsung for service. I thought it was hardware and I would be dome with it well it is now 3 months later and its doing the exact same thing again, so at this point I know it isn't software, ROM, kernel. I did all that troubleshooting the first time around.
Anybody else had this problem return after being repaired? Is it more than just the micro USB port? I am going to try the tooth brush thing when I get home though. I don't see any pins bent but I will look closer
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
So I got a toothbrush and alcohol and will be testing that out tonite. I also bought some canned air. Anybody else chime in on what to try? I really don't wanna send it in AGAIN
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Just dip a qtip in the rubbing alcohol and dab it on the port or dip the toothbrush I'm the alcohol and then shake it out. You don't want to soak in the connector just enough to help remove any contaminants.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Worked really good xD... At first didn't seem to work, but after charging it and disconnecting the charger the icon disappeared ... That was a couple days ago and so far so good.
Thanks a lot xD
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
I fell in the water with my phone. Salt water at that. Once I came to, my phone had a blinking light coming from the camera flash. I took battery out and let dry. Today I got up, took phone completely apart, cleaned with contact cleaner. Was ALOT of salt inside the phone. Anyways I got it cleaned up as best I could, pretty clean. Let dry again for a few hours.
Its back together now, turns on. Screen goes all crazy, pink and fuzzy. Pulsing blue led on front for about 10 seconds. Then nothing. Tried USB to PC nothing.
I found these phone don't come fully apart. I can take out main board, camera and a few plastic parts. But that's it. Lots of phone to take apart but no guides past this point and all the teardowns bring me to the same point.
Any ideas? Maybe bath the screen and what left for electrical components in alcohol?
Thanks
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Can a mod move this to galaxy s3 i747 section? My bad
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Sea water messes up components, think you should consider a new phone
Yea bro I'm gunna say that trying to fix it is more money and effort then just buying a new one
I already bought a new phone. Got another i747m. $400 didn't wanna mess with used phones again, last 3 used phones all ended up having an issue one way or another. Save a few bucks gain a few headaches.
Thanks for confirming what I thought though.
I am going to investigate fixing the phone. Still.
I got it to boot more now, pulsing boot led, vol buttons make a sound when I press them. I used my multimeter to test most of the connections. Everything I could check is fine. I think there is more salt behind the screen and behind the 2 small PCB chips that I couldn't get off. Going to try excessive force this time. Nothing to loose.
Is it safe to use the battery still? Its not swollen or nothing. Or should I not bother being as the water mark on the battery is pink?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
ronedogg said:
I already bought a new phone. Got another i747m. $400 didn't wanna mess with used phones again, last 3 used phones all ended up having an issue one way or another. Save a few bucks gain a few headaches.
Thanks for confirming what I thought though.
I am going to investigate fixing the phone. Still.
I got it to boot more now, pulsing boot led, vol buttons make a sound when I press them. I used my multimeter to test most of the connections. Everything I could check is fine. I think there is more salt behind the screen and behind the 2 small PCB chips that I couldn't get off. Going to try excessive force this time. Nothing to loose.
Is it safe to use the battery still? Its not swollen or nothing. Or should I not bother being as the water mark on the battery is pink?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The battery *should* be fine for a while. I've used a water damaged one for the longest time but it did spend a couple days in a bag of rice.