Phone · Motorola · G71S
Motorola G71S Water Damage Repair
Water Damage Repair guide for the Motorola G71S
Before you begin
Tools
- Precision screwdriver set
- Plastic opening tools
- Anti-static wrist strap
- Tweezers
- Magnifying glass or headlamp
- Heat gun or hair dryer
- Suction cup
- Soft-bristle nylon brush
Parts / materials
- 99% Isopropyl alcohol
- Lint-free microfiber cloth
- Compressed air duster
- Replacement back cover adhesive
Safety
- Never connect a charger to a wet or liquid-damaged phone.
- Wear safety glasses when using compressed air or cleaning solvents.
- Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling isopropyl alcohol fumes.
- Use an anti-static wrist strap to prevent electrostatic discharge damage to delicate components.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Power Off Phone
1 minPress and hold the power button to shut down the device completely. Do not attempt to charge or turn on a wet device.
- 2
Eject SIM Tray
1 minInsert a SIM eject tool into the hole next to the SIM tray. Press firmly to pop out the tray and remove it.
- 3
Heat Rear Cover
2 minApply heat around the edges of the back cover using a heat gun for two minutes. This softens the factory adhesive securing the panel.
- 4
Attach Suction Cup
2 minPlace a suction cup on the lower portion of the rear panel. Pull up gently to create a small gap between the panel and frame.
- 5
Slice Back Cover Adhesive
4 minInsert an opening pick into the gap created by the suction cup. Slide the pick around all four edges to sever the adhesive.
- 6
Remove Rear Panel
2 minGently lift the back cover off the chassis. Set the panel aside on a clean work surface.
- 7
Unscrew Top Bracket
3 minUse a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the screws securing the upper protective motherboard cover.
- 8
Pry Off Top Bracket
2 minInsert a plastic spudger under the edge of the upper plastic bracket. Gently pry up to release the clips and remove it.
- 9
Disconnect Battery Flex Cable
1 minUse a plastic opening tool to disconnect the battery press connector from the motherboard. Disconnecting power stops active circuit corrosion.
- 10
Disconnect Display and Sub-Board Flexes
2 minUnplug the main display ribbon cable and the sub-board interconnect cable from the motherboard.
- 11
Extract Motherboard
3 minRemove any remaining motherboard screws and carefully lift the mainboard out of the frame using tweezers.
- 12
Unscrew Speaker Box
2 minRemove the Phillips screws securing the lower loudspeaker housing at the bottom of the phone.
- 13
Remove Sub-Board
2 minDisconnect the antenna cable and carefully pry the charging port sub-board out of the housing.
- 14
Pry Out Battery
5 minApply a few drops of high-concentration isopropyl alcohol around the battery edges, then pry it up using a plastic card.
- 15
Inspect for Corrosion
4 minExamine the motherboard and sub-board under a magnifying light. Check for white or green mineral deposits near components.
- 16
Clean Motherboard with Isopropyl Alcohol
6 minSoak a soft-bristle nylon brush in 99% isopropyl alcohol and gently scrub affected areas on both boards to remove corrosion.
- 17
Dry Circuitry Completely
15 minBlow away excess alcohol using compressed air, then allow all components to dry completely in a well-ventilated area.
- 18
Reassemble Device Components
10 minReinstall the boards, battery, and brackets into the frame before applying fresh adhesive to secure the rear cover.
After your Motorola G71S water damage repair
Power the G71S back on and test the water damage repair function before you put every screw away. Check touch/display response, charging, cameras, buttons, and wireless as relevant to this repair. If something fails after closing the device, reopen carefully and reseat the connectors for this Motorola G71S job before assuming the part is defective. Keep leftover adhesive and screws labeled in case you need a second pass.
Keep learning
Explore more Motorola G71S repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
