Fix A White LCD Screen on Sidekicks

  1. Fix White LCD Screen on Sidekicks

  2. The T-mobile sidekick LCD screen is fragile. It has a thin flex cable that mounts to the LCD that transmits all of the data and power. If for some reason,this cable comes even a little bit loose it can cause a white screen on your favorite Sidekick. The following procedure may be able to help you.  I have used it successfully on a Sidekick ID, a Sidekick II and a Sidekick 3.  No guarantees, but it is good to try before you replace the LCD assy
 
The following procedure applies to the Sidekick 3, Sidekick II, and the Sidekick ID. The unit shown is a sidekick 3 but the steps are the same for all 3 sidekicks.
 
  1. 1. Power down unit.
  2.  
  3. 2. Remove back cover and take out battery.
  4.  
  5. 3. Flip you sidekick screen halfway to access the two screws that need to be removed. One has already been removed in this picture. Remove the screws using the T6 torx driver.
 
repair-my-sidekick-3-screen-half-rotated-to-access-two-screws-to-remove-flip-screen-lcd
 
4. While still holding the screen in the half flipped position, gently lift the screen up and out.
 
repair-my-sidekick-3-removal-of-lcd-screen-flip-unit-from-phone
 
Warning
Be careful not to touch the copper contacts or the connector. The pins on the connector of the base unit are very fragile.
 
repair-my-sidekick-3-be-careful-not-touch-damage-lcd-contacts

5. Put the LCD screen assembly upside down on a soft surface (to avoid scratching). There are 4 screws that need to be removed before your can removed the old lcd screen cover. You will need a size 0 Phillips screwdriver for these.

6. Remove the two screws shown below.

repair-my-sidekick-3-screws-on-lcd-back-cover

7.Remove the other two screws shwon below. You will need to rotate the flex cable/spring unit to access one of them.

repair-my-sidekick-3-move-swivel-to-access-screw-on-lcd-back-cover

8. Flip the screen back over and gently pry the two corners on the bottom of the side with the flex cable.
repair-my-sidekick-3-pry-up-edge-of-lcd-cover

9. Now that both edges are loose, grab the edge and gently lift screen backwards.

repair-your-sidekick-3-lift-up-edge-of-lcd-cover-after-2-sides-have-been-loosened

repair-your-sidekick-3-put-new-screen-cover-on-side-without-swivel-first

10. Now that LCD screen cover is off, the removal of the LCD screen begins
 
11. Gently pry one of the corners shown in the picture below by the red arrow. The LCD is held down by a very sticky adhesive and will take slow, steady prying and lifting. Make sure to remove the screen towards the flex cable/ flip assy.
 
sidekick 3 lcd cracked screen removal
 
sidekick 3 lcd screen removal slowly from corner
 
12. When you get the LCD free from the adhesive, lay it down gently in the direction of the flip assy. See photo below for orientation. Be careful and do not pull lcd straight out from back housing as you may damage the flex cable.
 
lay down sidekick 3 lcd screen before removing flex cable
 
13. Flip up the black clamp that hold the flex cable to the connector. See the red arrow below for location.
closeup of sidekick lcd flex cable connector
 
 
14. Now that the connector clamp is flipped up, gently reseat the flex cable into the connector.
 
15. Close the black clamp on the connector down to fasten the cable in place. Make sure that the cable is seated snugly in connector.
 
16. Once the cable is connector is installed correctly, gently lay the lcd into the back housing as shown below.
 
new Sidekick II 3 LCD screen installed in back housing
 
17. Now, install the install lcd screen cover in the reverse order. Start the installation in the position in the photo below.
 
repair-your-sidekick-3-put-new-screen-cover-on-side-without-swivel-first

18. Once the cover is on, press down firmly on edges to make sure they are snapped into place.

19. Flip LCD unit over and install 4 screws you removed earlier. Be sure to move flex swivel unit out of the way for the one screw. Once the screws are in, it is time to reassemble the phone.
 
20. Prepare the LCD screen Assembly for installation. Make sure the spring unit is aligned as shown. Fail to follow this step can cause the screen not to flip properly. If it is not aligned as shown, rotate spring assembly until it is.

repair-my-sidekick-3-back-side-of-removed-lcd-flip-screen

21. Rotate the screen to the half flipped postion and install in base unit. See picture in step 4 for the proper angle to install. Once installed, slowly release the screen and allow to flip into position.

22. Rotate screen to the half flipped position and install the two screws removed in step 3 and tighten them down.
 
23. Test the flip action of your phone. It if doesn't work right, remove screen and go back to step
 
24. Once the flip action is working, it is time to reinstall the battery and back cover.
 
25. Power up you phone and enjoy your Sidekick  in all it's non white lcd glory.
 

Disclaimer: Disassembling your Sidekick will void the warranty. Proceed with the following instructions at you own risk. http://www.repairmysidekick.org/ is not liable for any damage that may occur. This website is in no way related to or associated with T-mobile or Danger Inc

 

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