Greetings. I will make this in parts and go through chronologically so it will be more understandable (hopefully).
--> Prior to the problem:
An Old 3DS XL from Australia (same as EU). Bought it in 2013 new from EB Games, only owner and user. Never opened it. Original battery still holding the charges well. Not using official Nintendo charger because of power outlet incompatibility. No signs of damage or failure on buttons or external components. Hinges still holding well, not loose.
Software wise, on lattest firmware version (11.14.0-46E). Installed CFW exactly as told in "3ds.hacks.guide", Luma on latest version (10.12.1). Some games installed via .cia and SD card still has some spare space in it.
Spent a couple hours in the last tuesday (04/13/2021) evening playing Pokémon Yellow normally. Battery level on 3/4.
--> The problem:
On the same day (04/13/2021) at night, upon opening up to upper part and pressing the power button, the blue light and screens turned on normally, then both suddenly turned off in a couple of seconds. I tried to turn it on again to no avail, not a single sing of life was given, no light blue turning on and off, no screen flickering, no pop sound, nothing. It was behaving like the battery was completely drained.
The first thing I tried to do was connecting to the charger. Upon connection the orange light came on and stayed on, no blinking, no turning off, like if it was charging normally. Than I tried to turn it on, but again nothing happened. I decided to leave it charging, connected it to the cord and left it until the next day. Orange light lighted up and stayed like that.
In the next day, wednesday (04/11/2021), the orange light was off, like if it was completely charged. Tried turning it on and nothing again, so I went to the specialists on the world wide web.
--> Trying to fix it (unsuccessfully):
I searched on several posts, here on /3dshacks and on GBATemp, the most common problem people have that could be relatable is the well known "blue light turns on and after some seconds turns off". But I am not confident that this is related to my problem, because my 3DS XL is showing a different symptom.
Things I tried in order to diagnose the problem:
- Battery voltage of 4.1 V, tested on day 04/14/2021 (might test again the next day to evaluate charge loss).
- Removing and putting back battery did not work.
- Can not enter recovery mode (holding L+R+A+Up on turning on).
- Removing SD card and cartridge did not work.
- Continuity test of fuses F1 and F2 are OK.
--> A cry for help
Now I come to you for some insight on what may be causing this issue. When I opened the 3DS XL to check the fuses I also cheked the other components and there was no sign of anything wrong. Liquid damage patch was intact, ribbon cables not torn or broken, no burnt component. I even tried to turn it on without Wifi and IR boards, but again no blue light. The only thing I did not cheked was the upper screen and hinge ribbon cables because I am too afraid do break them.
As I do not have a spare battery and I don't know of anyone else who has a 3DS XL where I live, the thing I am most prone to do is to buy a new battery, but it would take months for it to arrive, buying one where I live is quite expensive.
So, anyone got any ideas?
--> Prior to the problem:
An Old 3DS XL from Australia (same as EU). Bought it in 2013 new from EB Games, only owner and user. Never opened it. Original battery still holding the charges well. Not using official Nintendo charger because of power outlet incompatibility. No signs of damage or failure on buttons or external components. Hinges still holding well, not loose.
Software wise, on lattest firmware version (11.14.0-46E). Installed CFW exactly as told in "3ds.hacks.guide", Luma on latest version (10.12.1). Some games installed via .cia and SD card still has some spare space in it.
Spent a couple hours in the last tuesday (04/13/2021) evening playing Pokémon Yellow normally. Battery level on 3/4.
--> The problem:
On the same day (04/13/2021) at night, upon opening up to upper part and pressing the power button, the blue light and screens turned on normally, then both suddenly turned off in a couple of seconds. I tried to turn it on again to no avail, not a single sing of life was given, no light blue turning on and off, no screen flickering, no pop sound, nothing. It was behaving like the battery was completely drained.
The first thing I tried to do was connecting to the charger. Upon connection the orange light came on and stayed on, no blinking, no turning off, like if it was charging normally. Than I tried to turn it on, but again nothing happened. I decided to leave it charging, connected it to the cord and left it until the next day. Orange light lighted up and stayed like that.
In the next day, wednesday (04/11/2021), the orange light was off, like if it was completely charged. Tried turning it on and nothing again, so I went to the specialists on the world wide web.
--> Trying to fix it (unsuccessfully):
I searched on several posts, here on /3dshacks and on GBATemp, the most common problem people have that could be relatable is the well known "blue light turns on and after some seconds turns off". But I am not confident that this is related to my problem, because my 3DS XL is showing a different symptom.
Things I tried in order to diagnose the problem:
- Battery voltage of 4.1 V, tested on day 04/14/2021 (might test again the next day to evaluate charge loss).
- Removing and putting back battery did not work.
- Can not enter recovery mode (holding L+R+A+Up on turning on).
- Removing SD card and cartridge did not work.
- Continuity test of fuses F1 and F2 are OK.
--> A cry for help
Now I come to you for some insight on what may be causing this issue. When I opened the 3DS XL to check the fuses I also cheked the other components and there was no sign of anything wrong. Liquid damage patch was intact, ribbon cables not torn or broken, no burnt component. I even tried to turn it on without Wifi and IR boards, but again no blue light. The only thing I did not cheked was the upper screen and hinge ribbon cables because I am too afraid do break them.
As I do not have a spare battery and I don't know of anyone else who has a 3DS XL where I live, the thing I am most prone to do is to buy a new battery, but it would take months for it to arrive, buying one where I live is quite expensive.
So, anyone got any ideas?
