4G click wheel repair

The click wheel on my trusty 4G iPod has been playing up. Can get it to respond sporadically but Im wondering if it needs replacing. The Apple retailer suggested I dump it and buy a new one cos the cost of repair is about same. While this might be good for business in these economically challenged times, Im justt not inclined to toss in the towel yet.
I have read about repair kits for various iPod bits and pieces. Some looked even do-able for someone like me who has a horror of screwdrivers, nuts and bolts (even small ones!). Any recommendations before I take the plunge?
Or better still, do any Aussies out there know of Oz addresses where I could send my ailing iPod for click wheel repair/replace to save me the bother. Most ads for these seem to be from the US.
Thanks
JohnC

I don't know how popular eBay is in AU.
http://www.ebay.com.au/
If it was me, I would not pay anyone to fix it. If you are going to do that, you really should put the money toward a new (or Apple refurb) iPod that does a lot more cool stuff, and has a one-year warranty.
Instead, I would look for a broken iPod of the same type (on eBay) and swap parts. iPods with hard drives are usually broken because of the hard drive. Only a small percentage is broken due to a click wheel problem, so if you get a broken iPod, it will probably have a working click wheel. However, your problem may be on the logic board, but again, the problem is usually the hard drive on these old iPods.
Here is an online guide for taking it apart.
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Device/iPod4th_Generation_orPhoto
There may also be YouTube videos. You need to use those plastic tools because metal tools will damage the case. You can get those on eBay too for a few dollars, and they usually come with replacement battery kits.
IMPORTANT NOTE: There are two distinct types of 4th gen iPods. The ones with the monochrome screen and the ones with the color screens (also called iPod photo). They are different on the inside, and it's more than just the screen. So look for a broken iPod of the same type you have.
There are also two different thicknesses, because there were two hard drive thicknesses. The front (plastic) half is the same for both. The only difference is the hard drive type (one disk platter or two) and the back half of the case (the metal part). So you could get the thicker iPod if you have a thin iPod (or vice versa), if all you need is either the click wheel or the logic board. However, if you have a choice, choose the same thickness, because then you will have more usable spare parts, such as the correct back half of the case with the headphone-jack-hold-switch assembly (another part that often breaks).
If you decide to try this, please post back with questions. I can probably provide more tips.

Similar Messages

Broken click wheel repair - or 6th gen nano replacement?

OK, my daughter had an ipod 4th gen for her birthday in April 2009. Red, inscribed, from the Apple site. She loves it - it is her life. Just a year and a few months after, it has suffered the standard fault with 4th gen - first the click wheel only worked when the power cable was inserted - now the click wheel doesn't work at all.
The first question is - is there any scope for getting Apple to recognise that this is a design fault with 4th gen, and that they should fix it for free? Given that the nearest Apple store is too far away, how do I email them to ask the question?
It seems as though repair is at least half the price of a new one - so one option might be to buy a replacement. But she wouldn't want to buy one, only for a new and better one to be released a few weeks later. Anyone know what the release date of the 6th generation nano is, and in particular, what the spec is expected to be? Is it going to have anything extra over the 5th gen (eg more memory for the same price)? Any idea on the likely cost of the 6th gen compared to the 5th gen?
Any help very gratefully received - as you can tell, there is an air of desperation here!

Thanks.
I'm not sure what others think, but my daughter makes heavy use of the video feature on her nano, so the 6th gen seems to be quite a major step backwards. So she is considering buying a 5th gen (my middle daughter has one of those and he likes it - shame the fm radio only works with the headphones and not in her docking speakers - suggestions gratefully received). I guess se'll need to buy fast as the stock will be used up quickly.
As it was effecitively dead, I have used the Youtube guides to dismantle her 4th gen. It seems to me as though the ribbon cable for the click wheel goes across the power/docking station connector. It looks to me as though it gets rubbed/flexed/kinked on the left hand side when this connector is used, and I think that might have caused the fault. I've ordered a replacement for the click wheel workings (costing £6.99) and I'll try to fit it. I'm estimating chance of success at about 5%, but we'll see how it goes.. It is never really going to be the same again, I'm sure.

My 4th Generation click wheel 40 GB iPod is no longer recognized by iTunes.

Hi There,
The title actually says it all..
(My 4th Generation click wheel 40 GB iPod is no longer recognized by iTunes 7.4.2, although the iPod works fine.. iTunes keeps saying to reset it, but I don't see why I should)
The iPod seems to work just fine, so I'm not in a big hurry to erase all my songs audio books etc..
I am thinking that this is a problem with Macintosh iTunes version 7.4.2, from what I'm seeing, but how should I proceed?
Many thanks for any help.
Eric

Sounds like a dead battery. Take it into your local Apple store/Genius bar and see if there is anything they can do for you. Another option is to send it in to a third party repair company who can replace the battery at a pretty low cost.
B-rock

My i pod nano click wheel doesn't work. how do i fix it?

my i pod nano click wheel has stopped working. My i pod still works when in my docking station but the wheel doesn't. Anyone got any ideas what I can do? I've tried to restore settings but that hasn't worked.

That is a hardware issue. Take the iPod Nano to an Apple store or an AASP. Whichever is more convenient for you. If you want to DIY - iPod Repair Tutorials

1 gen ipod user having some problems with click wheel

hello forms,
I have a 4 gb 1gen black ipod nano and lately ive beem having problems with the click wheel.The problem is that when i wnt to skip to the next song fast forward etc. it takes alot of pressure to make it change song fast forward etc. and i was wondering i know my ipod is out of the whatever day warrenty but I havent done anything wierd or stupid with my ipod so would this still be covered by warrenty as a defect.

Either way, as the iPod is out of warranty, it will be expensive to repair/replace if you ask Apple to do it. Take it to a store by all means, but also consider 3rd party options.
iPodResQ.com are highly thought of in the Mac community.

IPod 40 gb click wheel completely dead!

I bought an iPod (40gb click wheel) in September 2004 for the grand sum of £299 – so it isn’t even 2 years old! It has totally died. Firstly in June it refused to be identified by my Dell computer; then it corrupted a part of the software in my computer which identifies my DVD/CD drive. I had that fixed by Dell – thank goodness it didn’t do any further damage! As a result of not being recognised by my computer I was unable to add additional tunes to it. The iPod was still working but then started to make lots of noises. It then stopped working altogether and produced the folder with!. I phoned the support line in early July and was told that there are several articles on the web site which could help – I followed the recommendations and it still continued to try to re-boot itself. I was also told that getting it fixed would cost me £166 as the one year warranty had run out !!!! (Surely it should last longer than that – also I can buy something new which is more reliable for less than that!) The last stage was the final appearance of the apple logo, a black screen and now it is completely dead. It refuses to charge up with the battery and I’m absolutely livid. It doesn’t warrant being fixed. I hearby plan to return this lump of rubbish to Apple as I was on the verge of throwing it away but didn’t want to pollute the environment with whatever nasties lie within.

I've got the same problem mate. The clickwheel started to ge dead in places like around skip forward track area, (which was annoying to say the least.) But the other day it completely died, now it tries to start up showing the apple logo, then you can hear inside the hardrive spin up then a loud click then it tries this again about 5 times before showing the support website.
Ive probably had the ipod for about 2 years.
Annyoing since its a 40gb ipod and i've barely filled up 13gb. I might take it into see what the shop says but i sort of know its gonna be not worth repairing. Plus the video ipods are looking really good.

My Ipod Nano 4th gen click wheel won't work will apple be able to fix this?

My Ipod Nano 4th Gen's Click Wheel won't work.Is there a way that Apple can repair this for me and how much will it cost?

Apple will exchange your iPod for a refurbished one for $99 for the 16 GB one and $149 for the others. You can send it to Apple or exchange it at an Apple store
Make an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store.
Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar
. They do not fix yours.
Apple - iPod Repair price

Click wheel doesnt work and ipod not recognized by itunes

hi everyone
i have a 1st generation ipod and recently it has not been working. the click wheel does not respond to anyhthing at all...and the ipod is not recognized by my itunes, although it is recognized by the computer. ive tried formatting the ipod through the usb drive and i have tried resetting the ipod...i am unable to restore it as itunes does not recognize it. someone please help me fix this!
thanks

Try:
- iOS: Not responding or does not turn on
- Also try DFU mode after try recovery mode
How to put iPod touch / iPhone into DFU mode « Karthik's scribblings
- If not successful and you can't fully turn the iOS device fully off, let the battery fully drain. After charging for an least an hour try the above again.
- Try another cable
- Try on another computer
- If still not successful that usually indicates a hardware problem or a botched repair job. Take it back to where you got it fixed.

My older model ipod (click wheel) no longer works with my BOSE player. Help!

My older model ipod (click wheel) no longer works with my BOSE player. Help!

that bump knocked the docking port and messed with the click wheel, that is not covered with the warranty
if you call apple it will be an out of warranty repair in this case

My iPod photo's click wheel doesn't work.

My iPod photo's click wheel doesn't work? I can click it but cannot scroll with it...
Any suggestions?

That is a hardware issue. Take the iPod Nano to an Apple store or an AASP. Whichever is more convenient for you. If you want to DIY - iPod Repair Tutorials

HT1363 My ipod click wheel will not go into disk mode. All I get is the red circle with the X in it

The only thing my ipod will do is display the red circle with the X in it. I can not put it in disk mode, it won't work. It's the 160 GB classic with the click wheel. Is there anything else I can do to make it work again?

If you are unable to get the iPod into Disk Mode, the Hard Drive is likely damaged and beyond repair. You'll probably want to have it replaced either by Apple or a third party service center.
Here are Apple's repair prices.
http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/service/prices/
B-rock

80 gb click wheel is kafluie

my brand new 80 gb ipod click wheel is very different from my 60 gb ipod video. forward button does not change song to next song. it does nothing. to forward to next son I must hit select button. when i am in shuffle songs playing a song and want to quit I can't quit...I hit menu and go back to choices and lets say I pick audio books and hit select..all that happens is the song forwards but I can't get into any other menus. What up with this?

Try to perform a restore. Go to this web address, http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60983
it will help you with restoring the iPod. If the buttons still don't work properly, you will need to send it in for repair. To do that just call technical support.

IPod Touch Sensitive Click Wheel does not turn - HELP!

Can this click wheel be fixed? Has anyone been successful? I'd love to know how and not throw $300 down the drain. Sigh. THANKS IN ADVANCE.

Sure! Just do a web search for iPod repair and you will find plenty of places. Here is one that was at the top of a google search I just did...
http://pdasmart.com/ipodpartscenter5g.htm
$65 for the click wheel part and you can repair it yourself. Or $75 for mail in repair service.
I have no experience or affilation with the above linked store, just found them first in a search.
Patrick

Click wheel problem diagnosed as water damaged, is that right?

I bought an IPOD nano for xmas 2006, within 8 weeks the click wheel started playing up. Then a couple of weeks later it stopped altogether. I sent it back to apple as I thought it was faulty, they sent it back saying in had water contamination via one of the connector ports on the bottom. It's never been near water and had been in a metal jacket since new so how can this be? They obviously said they wouldn't repair it under warrantee too, so my question is whether anyone else has had this problem and did they get it fixed for free or is it a design flaw?
ipod nano 8GB

I had the same problem with the centre scroll wheel button - it required a lot of force to get it to function. I took my iPod back and swapped it for another one and the button is fine on the replacement.
I'd take it/send it back if I was you.

IPod Click Wheel problem

I've had my iPod nano 3rd generation for over a year now and it's worked flawlessly ever since I got it. Unfortunately about a month ago, the click wheel stopped working. It would not scroll and I could not hit any of the buttons (including the center button). The strange thing is that I can actually still reset it. When I put it on hold and take it back off the backlight lights up and I can see the iPod working fine otherwise.
I plugged the iPod into a computer at my campus apple store and restored it. After this, the click wheel was fixed and worked perfectly. I went back to my dorm and left it there until I came back later that evening after classes to try and use it and found that the click wheel had once again stopped working. I only hope this isn't a drastic hardware problem because I can't afford another mp3 player or any repairs on my college budget. If anyone can offer some help, it would be greatly appreciated.

Not much. You can buy and replace the click wheel.
Patrick

4G click wheel repair

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for