Chosen Solution
Hello there, I recently purchased this water damaged iPhone 5S. Upon receiving it, I immediately took it apart, and got as much water as I could off it, brushed the connectors, I attempted on removing the EMI shields but failed to remove it, so I didn’t proceed on. I tried to turn it on but received nothing. I checked if the screen on it was working by connecting it to a different working iPhone, and it indeed worked, I do not know about the battery, so I decided to put a working battery to see what would happen. Still nothing, even connecting it on a charger for several hours, nothing. I decided to put this amp meter. This device where you plug the device in to a USB wall plug and connect the lightning USB cable to it then to the iPhone. As soon as I done that, I saw a reading of 0.33 amps and 5 volts. What could this mean? Please help me, it could mean a lot, thank you so much.
Tech Pro the very first thing you want to do is to not try to restart the phone. This may further damage your phone. You also do not want to try to charge it any further. The next thing to do is to clean it. Disassemble your phone using these guides. On this model you must remove the EMI shields for proper cleaning. Use a pair of small scissors to cut the shields of if you cannot get to it with a soldering iron. Once it is disassembled, you do need to clean it properly. You will need high grade (90%+) isopropyl alcohol and a soft brush. Use this guide to see how to clean it. Even so it was written for a 3G all the points are still pertinent to your phone. While you are cleaning it, check for any broken, missing or burned looking components. You can then dry the board in an oven or equivalent at 220 deg F (not higher;-) for a few hours. Best way to clean it would of course be through an ultrasonic cleaner. Consider professional help with that When it is properly cleaned, replace the battery and in your case consider replacing the lightning connector. All these steps are to avoid delayed failure caused by corrosion. Once all this is done, reassemble your phone and reevaluate. Water damage is the hardest to trouble shoot as well as the toughest to repair. Any one part on the board may have failed, so it will require patience and a good eye to check for damage.
When getting low amperage like that it usually means there is a bad battery but considering that you changed that and it is water damaged that diagnosis doesn’t apply. what i would do is pull the logic board from the frame and if you have access to an ultrasonic cleaner then pop it in there with either Branson EC fluid or alcohol. If you don’t have access to an ultrasonic cleaner then a tooth brush and rubbing alcohol will do. First soak it in a bowl of alcohol for 5 or so minutes then give a good scrub with a toothbrush let it completely dry and try a new battery, new port (if you have access to one), and a new screen this will eliminate other variables if you try all at once. if it does turn on and work then you can go backwards to find the issue.
