iPhone 4S Power and Sensor Cable Assembly Replacement

Step 1

Use the edge of a plastic opening tool to pry the earpiece speaker off the adhesive securing it to the outer case. Note that the power button cable is glued to the the case as well, and will need to be pried up.
Use a pair of tweezers to unfold the earpiece speaker from its recess in the outer case.
Be careful not to tear the cable from the earpiece speaker. They are adhered together, and the cable is very delicate.

Maybe it's just me, but I had a hard time getting the earpiece out as it was wrapped in the ribbon cable and also had adhesive on it. Folks should be super careful here. Ultimately I torn the cable, but since I was replacing it anyway, it was ok. It really had me worried for a bit.

Song -

how are you supposed to stick the new wiring to the bits ?

This isnt worth doing.. Run the risk of your light sensor not working, and the lock button still not working.

12345 -

i haven't done it yet but im looking at a replacement part and mine has double sided tape already affixed to the flex cable to secure it.

Im doing this job for a friend as trade for free haircuts lol

Andrew -

Waste of time.. I did this to fix my lock button. all it did was make my light sensor not work. lock button still doesnt work.

piece of !@#$

12345 -

"Do not completely remove the earpiece speaker as it is still attached to the power and sensor cable assembly."

I just have one question: why?

It appears from the photos that there is enough play on the sensor/power cables to remove the earpiece speaker in this step if you're careful; avoiding steps 31 and 32 and jumping to 33. Any help would be great as I am about to attempt an earpiece speaker replacement tomorrow.

ladjr - 22/07/14

I've torn the corner of the power ribben, the bottom right hand corner of the loop below the speaker. Will the ribben still work or do I need a new power ribben?

Doodling101 - 07/03/15

Step 2

Use the edge of plastic opening tool to gently move the top sensor assembly away from the outer case.
Gently pry the top sensor assembly off the outer case.

I had a terrible time with this step, which doesn't mention that the tiny black clip holds the sensor in place. I finally got the clip off, and the sensor out, but the tiny black clip was deformed and I had a horrible time getting it back into place. All of the various ribbon cables are really working against you, too. The black clip is so tiny that it's very hard to align properly on the sensor (it wants to flip onto it's back and "turtle") and often pressing on it to snap it back into place simply bends it rather than locking it on.

I had accidentally broken the ribbon cable near the logic board connector for this whole assembly; now that the phone is back together, everything works EXCEPT the light sensor that I had to manipulate so extensively. I'm assuming I damaged either that portion of the cable, or the sensor itself, struggling to get it back into place with the clip.

Jason - 25/04/14

IMPORTANT. As Jason mentions, there is a small black metal clip which you MUST remove first. It's actually got hooked ends so if you grab it from the middle and pull it will simply deform. Instead grab a small flat head screwdriver and place the flat of the blade under the metal clip - come in from the top at the point where the tiny hole is, then move the tool to the left (toward the speaker jack). It should ping the hook out (be careful it doesn't launch across the room!) and the piece will then just drop out.

Dave - 10/08/14

READ - as Dave & Jason have both pointed out, the small black clip needs removing first.

This clip has two legs with inward facing prongs that extend down either side of the housing.

The leg on the left side appears to locate into a hole at the base of the housing, the right side slides back and forth in a horizontal slot.

I found the easiest way to remove is to first push the ribbon cable as flat as possible, to allow for the clip to slide over it, and with a small flat blade screwdriver come in vertically, don't try to get under the clip, in the top right corner between the clip and the housing.

Twist you screwdriver clockwise and you'll see the right side of the clip slide downwards toward the speaker end of your phone. Keep pushing this side until the prong clears the housing, then use tweezers to unhook the left prong.

Jim - 17/09/15

If you turn the phone over, there is an ‘access hole’ where you can access the power-button side of the clip. I poked tweezers through and pried the clip and it came off with relative ease. I got lucky I guess! Hope this helps others! I took a picture and will try to post it if I can. JD

Jon Dawes - 24/03/19

Step 3

Lift and remove the power and sensor cable assembly from the iPhone.
Be sure not to lose the small retainer clip located on the top sensor assembly.

I lost the clip.. now what do I do?

Helen -

I found a bit tricky to refasten the little clip. I found it easier to fasten it right-side-first.

Niels -

How to re install this little clip ?

Forgot how I removed it and now I am stuck for re installment ....

thierry28722 - 11/07/14

eventually , I got it right , after at least one hour , with the help of Jason : Tip : when removing this clip , take a photo of it for re assembly .Before re assembly : re bend this clip right as it may have change chape . Place the sensors , put the clip above and put the right side on position below the two sensors then , push gently on the left by bending away with a small screwdriver, release and it may be locked.

This clip goes above the earpiece assembly .To get away with all the cables , glue them away temporarily with scotch on the battery compartment.

thierry28722 - 12/07/14

iPhone 4S Power and Sensor Cable Assembly Replacement

Introduction

Tools

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Author

Walter Galan

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