Replaced the battery, cell signal got much worse... - Nexus 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey fellow Nexus 5 users,
So I ordered my nexus 5 nearly two years ago now, and I wanted to replace the battery to regain that first day battery life,
and since the performance is still top notch maybe keep the phone another year.
Anyway I replaced it, and now the cell signal is worse, I get Edge where I used to get H+ or LTE, sometimes the LTE signal is displayed in the status bar, but no data is getting through. but I can't explain it... and the weird thing is at home I get full working 4G. it really depends on the location.
I think I replaced it correctly, without damaging any internals, the only thing I noticed that I broke is (I don't know what it's called) a little thing that's on the back of the phone, that keep the back well attached to the phone. (see picture)
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and I broke one that's on the top, where there are little pins that make contact with the phone. But even with one that's broken, the back is still very well attached to the phone.
My question is, are the contacts on the back used at all to improve cell reception ? What else could cause this issue
by the way, wifi is working fine, phone calls as wells...
thanks for reading and the help

Well, you broke something on the top of the cover, there are pins at the top, on the cover. Your reception has taken a turn for the worse. I am going with, maybe most definitely yes. But a simple google search for teardown parts may show you what you need. I say may, because info like that is not always easy to find or is even available.
Also, have you tried pressing on the top back of the phone to see if the reception gets an better?
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7517/google-nexus-5-review/7
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Nexus+5+Teardown/19016
After vexing these sites and reading up on it, if you broke parts on the back cover that adhere it to the phone. And you are having reception issues, time to purchas a new cover. Should not be to expensive. Also, a little trick/test that you can perform is. Obtain some copper foil cut it small enough and fold it to the point where you are sure that it will make contact with the cover and the antenna contacts. But allow the cover to adhere to the phone still.
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Jaytronics said:
Well, you broke something on the top of the cover, there are pins at the top, on the cover. Your reception has taken a turn for the worse. I am going with, maybe most definitely yes. But a simple google search for teardown parts may show you what you need. I say may, because info like that is not always easy to find or is even available.
Also, have you tried pressing on the top right back of the phone to see if the reception gets an better?
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response, yes I tried several times to press before, and no changes.
I feel like the issue lies somewhere else. I'm not sure if the pins on the back have that much impact on the reception ?
Maybe I moved the antennas/cables with my screwdriver (the black and the white cable that run alongside the battery) when I replaced the battery, I was careful and don't think I did, but I'm gonna try to do what this guy did when I get home : https://www.reddit.com/r/Nexus5/comments/2q2lw5/nexus_5_keeps_losing_mobile_signal/cn36z03
Anyone know exactly what the black and white antennas do ? I mean one for 3G, the other for LTE, that kind of thing
Thanks for any help

Have you tried to take it apart again and see if they popped off or are lose? Maybe you cut one of the antenna connection wires ever s9 slightly enough that you did not notice it when putting it back together. Though, that is somewhat of a slightly difficult thing to do. As they are covered in braided stainless steel. Past these things, I know nothing else that would help.
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Make sure both ends of those antenna wires are secure... I know at least the "top" ends snap down onto their contacts and when I changed my battery, the RH one popped loose and I had to snap it back down.

Related

Battery door issue

My battery door at the top on the left and right are not completely flush with the device. There is not a huge gap, but you can see it's not flush. Is anyone else's like this, is this something I should be worried about ?
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I would....there are contacts there for the ant.....check if signal
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
sporty377 said:
I would....there are contacts there for the ant.....check if signal
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems good, as I said it's not very bad just a bit on each side. It just isn't 100% flush.
Hmmm...it should be flushed
Are you sure the door is latched securely? Sometimes I must really force mine to close. Like sporty377 said, this can affect your signal if the door isn't completely secured.
I am disappointed with the overall quality of the TB exterior. It pales in comparison to my old N1. Seems like HTC did a rush job and threw together a bunch of leftover stuff from the parts bin and said F*ck it. People will buy it regardless, just get it out to the carriers.
Its snapped all the way down. I will get some pics in a few. It doesn't seem like it's affecting anything.
Pics added. Best pics I could get, which it sort of looks worse in the pics. I don't see it affecting anything. This is a like new bolt, and I have other other like new that is like this also. I do have one more coming tomorrow, which I only hope may be better.
Mrdroid921 said:
Its snapped all the way down. I will get some pics in a few. It doesn't seem like it's affecting anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are a number of "catch points" that need to be squeezed tight and snapped into place around the outer edge of the cover.
If it is tight, and it is within the first 30 days (or did it change to 14--can't recall), and if it's troublesome, have VZW either give you an entirely new phone or a new battery cover.
tbcpn said:
There are a number of "catch points" that need to be squeezed tight and snapped into place around the outer edge of the cover.
If it is tight, and it is within the first 30 days (or did it change to 14--can't recall), and if it's troublesome, have VZW either give you an entirely new phone or a new battery cover.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's all the way down, snapped as tight as it can go. I do have another replacement coming tomorrow.
Mrdroid921 said:
It's all the way down, snapped as tight as it can go. I do have another replacement coming tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, mine fits fine, and I probably pull off the battery door every couple days to pull the battery (rebooting after trying another ROM-radio-kernel combo).
tbcpn said:
Yeah, mine fits fine, and I probably pull off the battery door every couple days to pull the battery (rebooting after trying another ROM-radio-kernel combo).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have even a slight gap? Or is it very flush ?
Mrdroid921 said:
Do you have even a slight gap? Or is it very flush ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looking closely, there is a slight gap at both top corners, but one would have to be looking very closely and specifically for such to notice 'em.
tbcpn said:
Looking closely, there is a slight gap at both top corners, but one would have to be looking very closely and specifically for such to notice 'em.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See that is how mine is. I guess its ok then.
My original cover locks up tight as can be. My extended cover has a tiny bit of play on the top left corner.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
playbeasy said:
My original cover locks up tight as can be. My extended cover has a tiny bit of play on the top left corner.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And your signal seems to be ok?
I think all will have a very slight gap, but it should be uniform all the way around the battery door. You could try snapping it on with a different method. Top first, then middle or vice versa.

Post Back Cover Pics (no wifi issues)

Hello All,
I was wondering for those of you that don't have the wifi death grip issue could you please post pics of your back cover & phone. I want to know how you guys aren't having that issue since majority of us are.
Thanks
anyone???????????
I doubt you would be able to see any difference in the back cases. They all look exactly the same.
smoochiezz24 said:
I doubt you would be able to see any difference in the back cases. They all look exactly the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No they don't. There are slight differences on the back case of some devices. Some users that were comparing sensations that had different screen manufacturers noticed that.
What I don't know is if those small differences really affect the death grip
I don't have the deathgrip. Ill post pics tomorrow
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA Premium App
smoochiezz24 said:
I doubt you would be able to see any difference in the back cases. They all look exactly the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some are different, I just want to know if there will ever be a fix since the evo 3d is launching in Canada im debating if i should sell this and buy that.
Z51 said:
I don't have the deathgrip. Ill post pics tomorrow
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still waiting for the pics .......
The main difference as I have read is let's say "copper made looking connectors" number. The covers with 3 connectors on top side mostly do not have death grip, while those with 2 have, as I have too Below are sample pics found on the net.
3 connectors on top side
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2 connectors on top side
I have a back cover with 3 connectors at the top. Came with the phone. And I assure you, I DO have the death grip. Sitting 10 feet away from my router will drop it only 1 bar, no problem. If I'm in another room, holding it in landscape will drop the connection completely in about 10 seconds.
moh0 said:
I have a back cover with 3 connectors at the top. Came with the phone. And I assure you, I DO have the death grip. Sitting 10 feet away from my router will drop it only 1 bar, no problem. If I'm in another room, holding it in landscape will drop the connection completely in about 10 seconds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very disappointing and annoying case.. I thought that the cover with 3 connectors on top could solve the issue Wonder how did the HTC allow manufacturing defective units and after all send it to the customers as accurate
Oh man, that's nothing. You want to see defective, just wait until your touchscreen starts acting up and you can't drag the ring to unlock your phone (especially for an incoming call...)
If your Sensation only exhibits the grip of death, you're doing OK!
moh0 said:
I have a back cover with 3 connectors at the top. Came with the phone. And I assure you, I DO have the death grip. Sitting 10 feet away from my router will drop it only 1 bar, no problem. If I'm in another room, holding it in landscape will drop the connection completely in about 10 seconds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same exact here. I have the 3 copper things on the top portion and if I am in a room about 15-20 feet away from the router, I can lose my wifi completely if in landscape mode.
Same here, I have 3 pins and the death grip.
I have 3 pins and no Wifi issues or dead screen issues. This most likely has something to do with the dates of manufacture.
no death grip at all even when i cover the whole phone with my hands still no death grip, i also have the tmobile rubber case.
CrazyCharlie said:
I have 3 pins and no Wifi issues or dead screen issues. This most likely has something to do with the dates of manufacture.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a manufacturing date of July 7, 2011. Whats yours if you don't mind me asking?
no loss of signal
only decrease when Holden from top in your palm
Have 2 pins, no problems.
It's so weird that some have it and some don't. Is it something to do with the router settings cause I have the 3 pins as well and have the death grip issue......luckily I don't have anything wrong with the screen being unresponsive. Since Rogers is launching the Evo 3d i'm thinking about getting rid of the sensation........I just hope before my decision someone finds a fix for this.....thanks to everyone who posted pics of there back covers.....My back cover is dated 2011-05-22
I have 2 pins with no problems either

[SOLVED] GPS Fixed!!! For real this time.

It's a noise issue with the gps antenna and other h/w on the board (mainly lcd cable.) It can be fixed by insulating the board from electrical shorts (scotch tape in my case) and shielding the board from the antenna with aluminum foil. Not for the faint of heart, obviously you can ruin your phone if not done correctly. If your wondering how much of a difference it'll make lets say my GPS works in my basement, in walmart, even in a multistory business office. I have yet to find a spot where it won't work. Most times it locks the instant it's opened, indoors you might have to wait maybe 10-30 secs.
If you think shielding the whole phone will help the other antennas, it won't I tried. You only have to do the corner that the GPS antenna is located and of course ground it. The GPS antenna is labeled with the letter G on the case of the phone. It's inbetween the camera, battery, and power button. Face down camera up, it's located upper left portion of the phone. Each antenna looks like a black label, please don't peal them off. Phone must be disassembled to perform this mod. I will not tell you how to take it apart (google it) nor be responsible if you break it. If you don't understand the concept of shielding or are unclear how to do this mod you shouldn't be doing it. You should be asking a friend that understands electronics better (aka major electronics geek) to do this for you.
Sorry I don't have pictures at this time.
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Only the area where the GPS antenna resides needs to be shielded which on the Nexus S 4G happens to be circled in red.
Don't forget to protect the board from electrical shorts with scotch tape or the like.
Please don't put tape or aluminum foil over the spring terminals as they provide contact to the antennas on the back of the case.
The shield must be grounded for it to work, I used the metal casing inside the phone.
You can see where it comes close to the edge of the phone, it happens to be metal there and its grounded
In for pics. Also, which model phone.
crespo4g aka SPH-D720 aka Nexus S 4G
But TBH this solution should work on any phone that has bad GPS reception due to bad design and/or h/w interference.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2
Sounds similar to the other fix which didn't work for me. Do you have pics of your mod?
CrackerTeg said:
Sounds similar to the other fix which didn't work for me. Do you have pics of your mod?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea I just put one up. I've tried many things myself but this has made my phone's GPS f***in fantastic and thought I'd share it with the rest of the world to enjoy. I first tried modifying my antenna with a wire after trying a bunch of useless s/w mods but still wouldn't work once reassembled and then it became obvious what must be done.
Dude, that fix looks so hood rich. I love it.

Water damage - indicators

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]Hello - I dropped phone in the sink and pulled it out IMMEDIATELY.:crying:Literally two seconds. The phone was still on, was dried and left in rice for 4 days. Took out sim and memory card. only the bottom half of the phone was in contact with water.
Now the phone will charge, but the screen is not responsive, and going ballistic notifications flashing, bluetooth turning on and off, alarms suddenly being set, LED switching on and off, browser pages appearing - all this whilst the phone is not being touched.
I have looked very very closely at what I think are the water damage indicators, right on the led, and they are yellow on top and orange on the bottom. No sign of pink at all. Also have compared them to my husbands A9 and they are identical. Is there any hope :crying::crying:
Anyone ???
yes, that is the water damage indicators, it is really red, which is a sign of water damage. If you can charge it and do other things like, let's say, connect it to a computer, then it may just be a screen problem, but don't take my word for it, it is possible that there is something else wrong. You can certainly try it but I'm not sure if the screen is the only problem without the device in my hands to assess the damage. I would say there is a little hope for it but your best bet is to either buy a new one or get a replacement under warranty
Also, if your screen experiences "jitters" where it randomly maps finger touches that is definitely a digitizer problem, which is screen related, I'm not sure if this is the problem u face or not, I'm going off of your description of the damage. Leave the screen on and watch it for a few, if it does this then that is certainly a sign of a damaged screen
Unfortunately based on your description you have very little chance of fixing it without replacing at least one part of the phone, it may just be one or it may be multiple
Sorry if this offers little help, but good luck anyways
shaking camera
i dropped my phone into a basin and my phone was completely submerged and all air bubbles came out of the phone but it was working perfectly fine. but now my camera started to twitch and can focus and i keep hearing the sound that the camera still has water in it but am not sure .
please advise on what i should do.
thank you
engkiat2002 said:
i dropped my phone into a basin and my phone was completely submerged and all air bubbles came out of the phone but it was working perfectly fine. but now my camera started to twitch and can focus and i keep hearing the sound that the camera still has water in it but am not sure .
please advise on what i should do.
thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look Where the flashlight is, there is 2 circles, on on top of the other. The top one is yellow, and the bottom on should be a light red/pink. If the bottom one is orange/dark red the phone has water damage. If this is the case you should take it to a professional and see what needs to be replaced, as I'm not sure exactly what should be fixed. Hope this helps and good luck
OK, phone went off to repair last week. was not holding out much hope as I thought they would be able to tell that it had been dropped in water and therefore not repairable under warranty.
LCD replaced, and that is it. I am delighted !! Working perfectly.
dragona said:
OK, phone went off to repair last week. was not holding out much hope as I thought they would be able to tell that it had been dropped in water and therefore not repairable under warranty.
LCD replaced, and that is it. I am delighted !! Working perfectly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is very good, thankfully it was only a screen replacement. Good luck and don't drop it into anymore water lol

(UPDATE: Google Replaced my Pixel) Pixel 2 Frame Cracking

I bought a Pixel 2 recently, and does anyone else have the frame cracking for them? On the left side of the device, below the sim tray, where there is a plastic notch. For me, the crack starts at the plastic and runs for the entire depth of the device. This is strange because my phone has always been in a case, never been exerted with lots of pressure or dropped and I would imagine that Google's R&D would try and avoid this issue. Does anyone else have this issue? Do you think Google would be able to send me a replacement device?
Pictures attached.
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Pretty sure that's the part of the phone that almost instantly snapped in jerryrig's torture test. You should watch it if you haven't already, and definitely try for a replacement if you can
I have a case on mine but I thought the body was made out of metal...that is what it felt like and what reviews have said. The primary complaint I read about anything "plastic" was that the white/gray version had a colored plastic power button while the black was metal.
Edit: Looked up the durability tests and it appears this is a known issue if enough pressure is applied. That area is where the antenna is located. I would try to get a replacement...under warranty. You'll just need to convince them that this was normal use...i.e. you weren't bending it on purpose, or sitting on it in your back pocket or something. Thanks for sharing....I don't ever abuse my electronics but obviously I'll need to take care of this phone.
mikeynavy1 said:
I have a case on mine but I thought the body was made out of metal...that is what it felt like and what reviews have said. The primary complaint I read about anything "plastic" was that the white/gray version had a colored plastic power button while the black was metal.
Edit: Looked up the durability tests and it appears this is a known issue if enough pressure is applied. That area is where the antenna is located. I would try to get a replacement...under warranty. You'll just need to convince them that this was normal use...i.e. you weren't bending it on purpose, or sitting on it in your back pocket or something. Thanks for sharing....I don't ever abuse my electronics but obviously I'll need to take care of this phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I'm currently under the process of trying to get a replacement through Google, I'll update when I get a response back, so others can know if they are covered. :good:
I admit it puzzles me why there is an antenna band there, given that there's a bloody big glass window just above it. I'm sure there's an engineering reason, but it's not what I'd have done.
Large Hadron said:
I admit it puzzles me why there is an antenna band there, given that there's a bloody big glass window just above it. I'm sure there's an engineering reason, but it's not what I'd have done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aesthetics maybe? I've seen older phones where you could see it on the back of the phone and it was noticeable. Not sure. Regardless, I'd rather have durability and performance over aesthetics. Regardless of how "beautiful" a phone is, for me the cost alone means a case and screen protector (which is also still an issue for this phone...all the tempered glass ones I've looked at show a halo around the edges). I would gladly trade aesthetics for a little more durability or performance. That is why I bought the phone...I knew I would put it in a case so I had no interest in "glass back" or other features like that. As an engineer I actually like the minimalist design...although I do wish the bezel areas were made more functional by increasing screen size I guess, there's always a tradeoff in performance (the primary reason I selected the Pixel 2 over S8 or V30), looks, battery life, and durability...although there probably doesn't have to be.
Update! (After a long a** time)
It took them so long to get back to me, they said only 5 days but it took weeks, but my device was approved to get replaced. It's being picked up tomorrow. Although Google took so long, I'm glad that their customer service (not response time) was helpful. I did have to escalate the claim but it went through nontheless. I'm certain that if your device is cracked, if you pester them enough, they'll get a replacement for you a lot quicker than I did.

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