After contact with water three letters on my keyboard no longer work.
QUESTION
Hi there!
I was extremely unlucky when my iphone slipped off my bed into my glass of water on the floor. I dried it out for over a week in rice, and it's working apart from a very very thin 'line' on the left hand screen. That part is no longer responsive to anything, i.e typing, drawing, dragging apps from one side to the other etc. I was wondering if I get the screen replaced will it fix the issue, or is there another way it can be fixed? I've been surviving like this for a month now, but it's driving me insane!!
Many thanks,
ANSWERS
part off this is because of "dried it out for over a week in rice". Rice does not work. It does not do anything and is the equivalent of doing nothing. What you are running into is corrossion damage. Hopefully it is just your display assembly that has failed and not the components on the logic board. you want to treat this just like any other water damaged device.
For now do not continue to use your phone. Do not power it on and do not try to charge or sync it. The disassemble your phone using these guides. Once it is disassembled, you do need to clean it properly. ON this model you must remove the EMI shields for proper cleaning. You will need high grade isopropyl alcohol and a soft brush. Use this guide to see how to clean it. Even so it was written for an iPhone 3G all the points are still pertinent to your phone. Of course, if you have access to an ultrasonic cleaner, take advantage of it. While you are cleaning it, check for any broken, missing or burned looking components. When it is properly cleaned, replace the battery. All these steps are to avoid delayed failure caused by corrosion. Once all this is done, reassemble your phone and reevaluate. In your case you can try a new dispaly assembly and see if that works. If you do not treat the water damage, your phone will definitely continue to corrode and slowly die.
DESCRIPTION
Your device has just taken a swim. What do you do?
In any situation involving the submersion or splashing of an electronic device in any liquid, the first step is to disconnect any power source as soon as this is safely possible.- Pay attention to your personal safety first! Use caution when disconnecting any device from household current or any other source. If you are standing in water or your clothes are wet please remove yourself from any potential shock hazard before even thinking about retrieving a submerged or soaked electronic device.
- If the electronic device is still submerged and is connected to an external power source, find a safe way to disconnect it. If possible find a circuit breaker or switch for that source of power. Use caution if you choose to remove a plug or power adapter from an outlet that has not been switched off.
- Retrieving a submerged or soaked electronic device that contains a battery presents its own dangers. A shorted battery may be a fire and/or chemical hazard. If you see or feel any heat, smoke, steam, bubbling, bulging, or melting avoid handling the electronic device.
- If the device is still on, turn it off.
- Rotate and shake the device to try to let any fluid drain out.
- If possible, remove the battery.
- If possible, disassemble the device to allow any remaining liquid to drain and to begin cleaning the internal components. This is particularly important with acidic liquids such as fruit juice or alkaline liquids such as laundry water.
Cleaning Circuit Boards
- Completely disassemble your device removing all cables, opening all connectors and remove shields to access under them. To displace any remaining liquid around or under any components of the logic board submerge it completely in a suitably sized container filled with isopropyl alcohol. Ideally use a 90% or higher concentration available from a pharmacist or drug store. You can use distilled or deionized water as an alternative cleaning fluid, although this will take longer to dry. Avoid solvents such as ketone, acetone, or naphtha.
- Use a toothbrush, small paint brush, or other soft brush to clean the logic board of any debris or deposits from the offending liquid. Use caution as you clean to avoid damaging or accidentally knocking off components of the logic board. Pay particular attention to the connectors and ends of ribbon cables to prevent corrosion of their contact surfaces.
- Once you are satisfied that the logic board is clean and free of corrosion you may use a hairdryer on its cold setting and dry the logic board. Alternatively, the logic board may be placed under a desk lamp to gently warm it and dry out the cleaning fluid.
- When the components are dry check the cable ends and connectors again for signs of corrosion or debris.
- Reassemble your device with a new battery or one that you are confident is in good working order. If your device has been submerged it is likely that you will need a new battery. Lithium and other types of rechargeable batteries do not tolerate submersion well. Again, any sign of bubbling, bulging, melting, or discoloration on the battery indicates that it is toast. Dispose of it only at a battery recycling facility.
- Once
you have your device assembled, the real work of evaluating the damage
begins. Look for what is working and replace parts in an organized
fashion, not all at once. The likely order of failure in a smaller
electronic device is typically:
- Battery
- LCD
- Logic board
pH of common fluids
A number less than 7 indicates an acid solution, while a number above 7 indicates an alkaline solution. Both cases are bad for electronic components. Knowing the pH of the fluid can help give you an idea of how severe the damage is.- Pure water neutral pH = 7.0
- Sea water i.e. Saltwater = about 8.2
- Regulated Pool Water = 7.2 - 7.8 (Source)
- Lemon juice = 2.3
- Cola = 2.5
- Fruit Juice = 3.5
- Beer = 4.5
- Coffee = 5.0
- Tea 5.5
- Hand Soap = 9.0 -10.0
- Bleach = 12.5
SOURCE https://www.ifixit.com/Wiki/Electronics_Water_Damage