Need help to resolve iPhone 3G Wifi problem

[dougal]

This is a question for those more technical on the iPhone.

The phone: iPhone 3G Fw 3.1.3 (Modem Fw 05.15.04)

NOTE: The phone was once on FW 4.2.1 but i downgraded it back to 3.1.3. The problems with the Wi-Fi started before 4.2.1 upgrade iirc.

Symptoms: Wi-Fi searching but finds nothing. Everything else OK.

In Settings>General>About it shows IEMI number, Wifi & bluetooth MAC addresses ok.

Wi-Fi had stopped working all of a sudden. It tries to search networks but does not find anything. Occasionally but very very rarely it will find all the available networks and even connect but after a few seconds loses it and can't find any networks again.

I have tried the following:

Restart, Reset Network settings, Reset ALL settings, Restore, Upgrade, Downgrade again.

Jailbreak and installed PUSHFIX and Youtube Fix

Disable 3G, Airplane mode On & Off, Wifi on & off. tried putting it right next to (touching) the access point.

I know it is not my router for sure as it is the same with ALL wireless connections. Besides, at home i have 3 computers all on my wireless, my PS3, my Wii and 2 iphones, plus i even tried my spare iPhone 2G and everything works except for this iPhone 3G.

I read that it could be a hardware problem which is quite common apparently. But then again, if it was hardware why would it show the mac address and why would it search ? Why would it very very rarely work for a few seconds ?

I also read that it is possible that it could be the Wifi/Bluetooth IC needs to be reflowed or heated or something. THAT i am afraid to do myself as i'm sure i'll damage the phone.

A brief history of the phone: When it was still my main phone i had dropped it in the toilet on a drunken night. Picked it up but it died, just remained vibrating till the battery died.

Anyhoo, it was repaired and worked fine, wifi and all. But it has been opened by the repair dude.

I don't believe the Wifi chip is fried or else it would NEVER work.

ANyone can help ?

 

[woodycool]

Is the phone jailbroken?
I remember reading an article about fixing Wi-Fi problems by changing the contents of a system config file, but it requires iFile (and therefore a jailbroken iPhone)

 

[dougal]

Is the phone jailbroken?
I remember reading an article about fixing Wi-Fi problems by changing the contents of a system config file, but it requires iFile (and therefore a jailbroken iPhone)

Yes it is indeed jailbroken. Never heard of this fix though.

 

[mjnurney]

i would try resting it to stock as i know of people who have had issues with wifi after jail breaking and signal too.

try that first.

Also the Wifi chip on the 3G is not the most reliable to start with and is a common part to fail. the usual signs a re no wifi signal or greyed out and or low battery life.getting a phone wet while powered on is a bad thing to do and your lucky it works at all. water damaged phones are a pain.

but reset it to stock first, it may be working just fine.

 

[dougal]

Yep i tried restoring it to stock "non jailbroken" 4.2.1 (latest it can take) firmware but still no go.

Wifi is not greyed out, it just remains searching. Battery life is very good for its age and it has no problem with signal. Full bars on 3G and Bluetooth and GPS work fine too.

Yesterday i opened the phone and took the logic board out and applied the soldering iron to the wifi chip for 5 seconds (saw the procedure on some forum), but i probby did not heat it enough because i re-assembled it and wifi is still faulty.

 

[bebek]

My 3G lost Wifi after latest update , I have sort it out by selling it as a faulty on ebay, life is too short ...

 

[dougal]

My 3G lost Wifi after latest update , I have sort it out by selling it as a faulty on ebay, life is too short ...

Yeah i think fixing the wifi is a lost cause. I won't sell it though. I keep it as a spare along with my old 2G iPhone.