When an iPhone 13 suffers a severe drop and water damage, it often won't power on, which can be very frustrating. Drops may loosen internal hardware, and water can cause short circuits, making the device unresponsive. However, with the right tools and proper methods, repairs are still possible. Phonefix will walk you through common issues, diagnosis steps, preparation, repair procedures, and important precautions.
I. Situation Introduction
Before attempting professional repair, it is important to understand that the combined effects of dropping and water damage can cause the following common issues with your phone:
· Display failure: The drop or water damage may cause the screen to become unresponsive or completely black.
· Battery failure: Water can cause battery short circuits or swelling, preventing the device from powering on.
· Internal component damage: Water ingress can cause corrosion, affecting the motherboard, battery, and other iPhone Components.
With these common fault causes in mind, the next step is to diagnose the problem accurately to determine which parts need repair.
II. Fault Diagnosis
If your iPhone 13 fails to power on due to dropping and water damage, don't panic. You can perform some basic troubleshooting. Accurate diagnosis helps pinpoint damaged components and avoid unnecessary repairs. Here are some diagnostic steps.
Step 1. Check external damage
· Screen: First, check for visible cracks or liquid leakage on the screen. If the iPhone Screen is cracked, replacement may be required.
· Battery: Inspect if the battery is swollen or shows signs of corrosion. A swollen or corroded battery should be replaced.
· Charging port: Check the charging port for moisture or corrosion. If corrosion is found, use a Fiber Cleaning Wiper to clean and dry the port.
· SIM tray and buttons: Verify if the SIM tray and buttons function normally and check for water ingress or debris buildup.
Step 2. Use external device testing
Connect the phone to a computer with a iPhone Charging Cable and check if it is recognized by iTunes or Finder. If the phone connects successfully, the motherboard is likely intact, and the issue may be limited to the screen or battery.
III. Disassembly and Internal Inspection
1. Preparation
Before starting, ensure the device is completely powered off and have the necessary repair tools ready. Below are the required tools and their simple uses:
2. Basic Tools
· Screwdriver set: For removing screws on the iPhone casing and internal motherboard.
· Hot air gun: To soften adhesive around the screen for easier removal.
· Suction cup: To help lift the screen from the phone body.
· Plastic pry tools: To carefully separate connectors and components.
· Anti-static mat: To prevent static damage to internal components.
· Anti-Static Tweezers: For handling small parts during disassembly and reassembly.
· Digital multimeter: To test battery and motherboard voltage and current.
3. Opening the Screen
Use the pentalobe screwdriver to remove the screws at the bottom of the device. Then, use the Suction Cup tool to gently pull the screen upwards, gradually separating it from the body. Pay attention to the connection cables between the screen and the mainboard, ensuring no damage occurs during this process.
4. Internal Inspection
After disassembling, check the following components:
· Battery: Ensure the battery is not swollen or damaged.
· Mainboard and Circuitry: Check for visible corrosion or water damage on the mainboard, battery connector, and charging port.
IV. Cleaning and Inspecting for Corrosion
1. Cleaning Internal Water Damage and Corrosion
After water exposure, the internal circuitry may have corrosion. Use isopropyl alcohol and a Soft Bristle Brush to gently clean the corrosion and water residues from the circuit board, focusing on the battery connector, charging port, and power management area.
2. Using a Heat Gun to Remove Moisture
If the water damage is severe, consider using a heat gun to gently heat the mainboard and battery connectors, helping to remove any residual moisture and speeding up the drying process.
3. Checking for Short Circuits
Use a Digital Multimeter to check the voltage and current of the battery and mainboard, particularly the power management areas. Ensure there are no short circuits before proceeding with the next steps.
V. Battery and Mainboard Replacement
1. Battery Replacement
If the iPhone Battery is damaged or swollen, it must be replaced. Disconnect the battery, remove the damaged one, and install a new one. Ensure the new battery is of original specifications and is properly installed.
2. Mainboard Inspection and Repair
After cleaning and inspection, if the mainboard’s circuitry is severely damaged, it may require replacement or soldering repair. If the damage is minor, you can use solder tools to repair any broken solder joints.
3. Replacing Other Damaged Components
Based on your inspection, you may need to replace the damaged display, charging port, SIM card tray, or other components. If these parts are damaged, the device will not function properly and needs to be replaced.
VI. Reassembly and Function Testing
1. Reassembling the Device
After replacing the damaged components, begin reassembling the phone. Reconnect all necessary parts, including the battery, screen, and mainboard. Make sure all components are securely connected, and the connectors are not pinched.
2. Power On and Initial Test
Press the power button and check if the phone powers on. Ensure that the device starts up correctly. If it does, proceed with further testing of the device’s functions. Use an iPhone Charging Cable to test whether the charging function is working properly.
3. Function Testing
Test all key functions to confirm the repair's success, including the display and touch functionality, front and rear cameras, battery charging, wireless connections (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth), and audio output (speaker and microphone). Ensure each component is working as expected.
Conclusion
While an iPhone 13 that won't turn on after a severe drop and water damage presents a challenging problem, with careful diagnosis, thorough preparation, and proper repair steps, you can restore your device to normal operation. If you need high-quality tools or assistance, contact DIYFIXTOOL—we're here to support your repair process.
