Connector repair - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: mathk
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2012, 09:04:20 pm
content: Hello AllI was trying to repair my Sony camera but unfortunately it end up worst then before.If you see in the photo blow there is 2 connector that is now broken. It use to have some little black clip to hold the link.Does someone have an idea how to repair it? Changing them would be a bit hard I guess. But who knows.Also I would be glade if someone tell me what is this kind of connector?Many thanks

author: Griffin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 24, 2012, 09:18:29 pm
content: I use to break them off all the time while working on laptop motherboards. Do you still have the black clips that keep them in place?

author: mathk
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2012, 09:37:21 pm
content: I am afraid that they are broken in serval piecesand lost some of them.

author: Griffin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 24, 2012, 10:13:01 pm
content: Those are basically SMD ribbon connectors so removing them is going to be tricky. Basically those clips apply pressure to the ribbon to allow for a proper connection. I use to take a very thin piece of solid plastic from this sheet I found somewhere and cut it into a small enough piece to slide into the connector with the cable. If the plastic is thick enough it should grip and keep the cable inside the connector good enough to maintain contact otherwise some glue would be needed.

author: TerminalJack505
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2012, 10:32:36 pm
content: If you take a notion to replacing the connectors they are called Flat Flex Connectors (FFCs.)Personally, I think they are purposely designed to self-destruct upon the slightest human contact once they leave the factory.

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2012, 12:02:26 am
content: oddly enough i had to swap the screen on what appears to be that very model sony camera a few weeks back, the hardesst part you will face is getting the ribbon cables back in, as they loop from the other side to the camera module and the lcd, however if you lift the lcd, it is easier to feed its cable back in, as for replacing the actual tabs, i cant help there,

author: mathk
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2012, 10:28:17 pm
content: Thanks you all for you tips. Eventually the piece of solid plastic did not work out. But now i had some more stuff to play with. I don't know what i could make with the left part. Hopefully I will one day found a useful out of that things.

author: Neilm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2012, 08:16:40 pm
content: I have changed these sort of connectors, but they are a real mine field. I ended up changing it at work with one of the hot air machines. If you do buy a new one, make sure you not which way up the contacts are - nothing worse than finding that having changed the connector you have just fitted one with the contacts the wrong way up.Neil

author: zerohimself
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2012, 10:51:28 am
content: In the past month I have successfully used 2 items to do a repair like that A. a piece of thin cardboard from a box of candy(like a box of nerds, those end pieces you have to tear open.. you may have to cut a small piece and possible folder it over on itself to get the right thickness if it's too thin) and B. Scotch tape(just get creative)...of course, maybe you could use a combination of both!!