RAZR water damage but mostly working! Help?

[daroga]

Hey all!

Brand new here, but need some advice. My wife's Razr V3m (Verizon) got some water damage when it met the snow a few days ago. It seems very much untouched, other than it won't charge the battery. I was getting an "invalid battery" error, got a new battery, and that went away, but still the OEM charger, USB cables, etc. all give the "Unauthorized Charger" message and won't charge the battery. Also, the new battery doesn't show a battery indicator on the screen.

When plugged in, the phone operates perfectly. Screens are fine, keys work, can make and receive calls. It almost seems like if I could "reset" that charger error, everything would be fine. Any thoughts? Or is it toast?

Thanks!

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by daroga Hey all! Brand new here, but need some advice. My wife's Razr V3m (Verizon) got some water damage when it met the snow a few days ago. It seems very much untouched, other than it won't charge the battery. I was getting an "invalid battery" error, got a new battery, and that went away, but still the OEM charger, USB cables, etc. all give the "Unauthorized Charger" message and won't charge the battery. Also, the new battery doesn't show a battery indicator on the screen. When plugged in, the phone operates perfectly. Screens are fine, keys work, can make and receive calls. It almost seems like if I could "reset" that charger error, everything would be fine. Any thoughts? Or is it toast? Thanks!

Try this. It sometimes works. Take the battery out and leave it out for 5 minutes, then put it back in and see what happens.

-Jay

[daroga]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue Try this. It sometimes works. Take the battery out and leave it out for 5 minutes, then put it back in and see what happens. -Jay

Good call, but I left it out while we were out for the evening and still doesn't recognize the OEM charger.

The really bizarre thing to be is that the new battery, though working, does not show a battery indicator on the display.

Any other thoughts?

[Andy]

So your charger works now, but the phone doesn't show the battery level?
Interesting problem that could occur from water damage. Some of my phones have fixed themselves after water damage- things just started working again over time. If that doesn't work, you can go to Verizon and have them replace your phone for $50. I'm wonder if Jay has anymore suggestions...?

[daroga]

Originally Posted by Andy84094 So your charger works now, but the phone doesn't show the battery level? Interesting problem that could occur from water damage. Some of my phones have fixed themselves after water damage- things just started working again over time. If that doesn't work, you can go to Verizon and have them replace your phone for $50. I'm wonder if Jay has anymore suggestions...?

They'll replace it for $50 without any insurance on the phone and having it not be something that a warranty would fix?

The phone works when plugged in, but will not recognize any charging device nor will it charge the battery at all. Although, the old battery now no longer gives the "invalid battery" error.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by daroga They'll replace it for $50 without any insurance on the phone and having it not be something that a warranty would fix? The phone works when plugged in, but will not recognize any charging device nor will it charge the battery at all. Although, the old battery now no longer gives the "invalid battery" error.

Yes, Verizon should supply you with a refurbished unit for $50 if you are
a)out of warranty or
b) don't have warranty

[daroga]

Originally Posted by Andy84094 Yes, Verizon should supply you with a refurbished unit for $50 if you are a)out of warranty or b) don't have warranty

Wow, ok, I had no idea about that. Is it better to call them, go to a store, etc.? Is there a name for this policy so I don't look / sound like a goon when I say, "Umm... give me a refurb for $50 please!"

Thanks for the help! I had no idea this policy exisited! I am going to leave the phone "disassembled" over night to see if that fixes anything, but then will probably contact Version per the method suggested hereafter tomorrow.

Thanks so much! You saved us an expensive purchase we couldn't afford!

[Andy]

Originally Posted by daroga Wow, ok, I had no idea about that. Is it better to call them, go to a store, etc.? Is there a name for this policy so I don't look / sound like a goon when I say, "Umm... give me a refurb for $50 please!" Thanks for the help! I had no idea this policy exisited! I am going to leave the phone "disassembled" over night to see if that fixes anything, but then will probably contact Version per the method suggested hereafter tomorrow. Thanks so much! You saved us an expensive purchase we couldn't afford!

Well, I'm not sure if this has a name or not. Verizon modified their "Worry-Free Guarantee" a while ago and this is part of it. I believe that, for any damage or reason, if you are out of warranty, you can get a refurbished phone for $50. I would definitely do this at a Verizon Corporate store, not an authorized dealer or something like that. I believe last time I was at the Verizon store I even saw this posted on their Worry-Free Guarantee poster thing.
Hope this helps, let us know if you have any other questions and how things work out. Leaving the phone unassembled is probably a great idea- also, check back and see if someone has any further suggestions before you take it to the store.

[daroga]

Originally Posted by Andy84094 Well, I'm not sure if this has a name or not. Verizon modified their "Worry-Free Guarantee" a while ago and this is part of it. I believe that, for any damage or reason, if you are out of warranty, you can get a refurbished phone for $50. I would definitely do this at a Verizon Corporate store, not an authorized dealer or something like that. I believe last time I was at the Verizon store I even saw this posted on their Worry-Free Guarantee poster thing. Hope this helps, let us know if you have any other questions and how things work out. Leaving the phone unassembled is probably a great idea- also, check back and see if someone has any further suggestions before you take it to the store.

Sounds good. By out of warranty, you mean simply not covered by warranty as well as time-wise out of warranty? The phone is only about 3 1/2 months old, but obviously Motorola's not going to fix anything with the red water damage stickers all ablaze. Is the text of their full policy online somewhere? All I've found is a very limited chunk of text on their website.

Thanks!

[daroga]

Hmm.. just found a fuller text of Verizon's policy:

-- If your phone has a defect but its warranty has expired within the past year, Verizon Wireless guarantees a pre-owned replacement for $50 or less.

That sounds like just defects, not damage. Can anyone vouch one way or another on this?

[Andy]

Well, the way I understood it, it was for both damage and defects, and I have heard of people having defect phones(due to their own damage) and getting a refurbished one for $50. I have never used this policy myself, so I'm not 100% sure though. If you ask nicely, I'm sure you'll get what you are asking for.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by Andy84094 So your charger works now, but the phone doesn't show the battery level? Interesting problem that could occur from water damage. Some of my phones have fixed themselves after water damage- things just started working again over time. If that doesn't work, you can go to Verizon and have them replace your phone for $50. I'm wonder if Jay has anymore suggestions...?

Aside from reflashing the phone I'm at a loss now.

-Jay

[daroga]

well, now the phone won't recognize the battery (new or old) but seems to have no real issues with the charger. I have a feeling even if I could get thing to be fully functional that it wouldn't be worth the time nor the worry that it might break at any moment again. As always, ti still does work fine when plugged in though.

I'll head to Verizon this afternoon unless someone else has another thought at this point.

[daroga]

Well, just got back from Verizon. Just so everyone knows, their policies do not cover water damage. So, I'm out to scour eBay for a replacement phone and probably list this one to see if I can get anything out of it.

Ah well, such is life when accidents can happen. Thanks for all the help, everyone. I really appreciate it!

[polycat33]

My comment is of no use to you with your water damaged phone, but I just wanted to say that I HATE the way phone companies are if you're not eligible for upgrade or under waranty or any of that stuff they tell you you're totally out of luck! That's ridiculous, because they HAVE those refurb phones but they won't let YOU have them for the reasonable price unless you're eligible or not a current customer. And all the new phones that you can purchase outright are like three hundred bucks! Even the ones they give for free with a new contract or with an upgrade are like two hundred! I mean, come on, help your CURRENT customers out, not just the ones who haven't used you or you are trying to sweet talk into renewing!

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by polycat33 My comment is of no use to you with your water damaged phone, but I just wanted to say that I HATE the way phone companies are if you're not eligible for upgrade or under waranty or any of that stuff they tell you you're totally out of luck! That's ridiculous, because they HAVE those refurb phones but they won't let YOU have them for the reasonable price unless you're eligible or not a current customer. And all the new phones that you can purchase outright are like three hundred bucks! Even the ones they give for free with a new contract or with an upgrade are like two hundred! I mean, come on, help your CURRENT customers out, not just the ones who haven't used you or you are trying to sweet talk into renewing!

You can always buy a phone on Ebay if you are in the limbo period between expired warranty and qualifying for an upgrade. I've bought several used phones on Ebay and have been pleased with all of them.

-Jay

[daroga]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue You can always buy a phone on Ebay if you are in the limbo period between expired warranty and qualifying for an upgrade. I've bought several used phones on Ebay and have been pleased with all of them. -Jay

That's exactly what I've done. Got an LG VX4400 for $25 shipped last night. It's certainly nothing fancy, but it'll do for a while.

Wow, and the damaged RAZR has already been bid up to $20.

[Cincyball]

They sell the replacement water detector dots. You could have bought some of those and brought it back to vzw in hopes they wouldnt notice.

[daroga]

Originally Posted by Cincyball They sell the replacement water detector dots. You could have bought some of those and brought it back to vzw in hopes they wouldnt notice.

I'd prefer to be honest about things.

[Cincyball]

Originally Posted by daroga I'd prefer to be honest about things.

Well, if Verizon is going to be honest about things on their end, it's only fair game

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by daroga That's exactly what I've done. Got an LG VX4400 for $25 shipped last night. It's certainly nothing fancy, but it'll do for a while. Wow, and the damaged RAZR has already been bid up to $20.

I frequently see damaged V3's go for over $100 on Ebay. I guess people are pretty hopeful on getting them to work.

-Jay

[daroga]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue I frequently see damaged V3's go for over $100 on Ebay. I guess people are pretty hopeful on getting them to work. -Jay

I guess so, like 8 people are already watching it and its been up for under 24 hours. The fact that this one powers on and actually can make and receive calls could up it too.

I'll laugh a lot if we end up making money on this whole silly thing, as we only paid $100 after rebate for it this August.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by daroga I guess so, like 8 people are already watching it and its been up for under 24 hours. The fact that this one powers on and actually can make and receive calls could up it too. I'll laugh a lot if we end up making money on this whole silly thing, as we only paid $100 after rebate for it this August.

Since it does power up I would not be suprised if it does surpass $100. Can you put a link to the auction in the thread?

-Jay

[daroga]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue Since it does power up I would not be suprised if it does surpass $100. Can you put a link to the auction in the thread? -Jay

Sure. I didn't post it before as I didn't want to look like I was spamming. The link is here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...3519&rd=1&rd=1

If anyone here opts to bid and wins, let me know, and I'll give ya 1/2 price shipping.

[ian1001]

i water damaged and had basicly the same problem. i knew they wouldnt replace it so i put my phone in test mode. verizon couldnt fix it so they gave me a free refurb.

[polycat33]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue You can always buy a phone on Ebay if you are in the limbo period between expired warranty and qualifying for an upgrade. I've bought several used phones on Ebay and have been pleased with all of them. -Jay

Yeah, but the problem with this is so many of the phones are going for a lot of money on ebay as well. Yes, they are less than how much they'd be to buy them from your wireless people, but still, I wanted to get my mom an old SLVR L2, and I figured since they're like two models past it now it'd be a reasonable price. I couldn't find any under a hundred bucks! I was getting VERY frustrated because they're giving away the newest model of SLVR if you're eligible for an upgrade but it's like a hundred and fifty otherwise.

And then a year from now that same phone will be like twenty bucks on ebay!

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by polycat33 Yeah, but the problem with this is so many of the phones are going for a lot of money on ebay as well. Yes, they are less than how much they'd be to buy them from your wireless people, but still, I wanted to get my mom an old SLVR L2, and I figured since they're like two models past it now it'd be a reasonable price. I couldn't find any under a hundred bucks! I was getting VERY frustrated because they're giving away the newest model of SLVR if you're eligible for an upgrade but it's like a hundred and fifty otherwise. And then a year from now that same phone will be like twenty bucks on ebay!

You can always buy a Go Phone for $30, sell the prepaid SIM on Ebay. Unlock the phone. Use it until you qualify for your upgrade, then sell the slightly used phone on Ebay. You may actually make a profit on it.

-Jay

[polycat33]

How do you unlock a phone? I've seen them sold unlocked but I have no clue how to do it. That's a good idea though!

[Cincyball]

unlocking is for gsm phones. cdma phones do not come locked/unlocked...that i am aware of. Until a few days ago, there werent any MONSTER flashed for CDMA, but now two have surfaced. So who knows. 2007 appears to be the year for cdma hacking to its fullest potential

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by Cincyball unlocking is for gsm phones. cdma phones do not come locked/unlocked...that i am aware of. Until a few days ago, there werent any MONSTER flashed for CDMA, but now two have surfaced. So who knows. 2007 appears to be the year for cdma hacking to its fullest potential

The CDMA hacking problems are new. Back in the days of the V710 and E815 CDMA phones were just as easy to mod as GSM. With the new CDMA V3 models something changed. Who knows, Did Motorola just design a new way of doing things on their own? Did they do this at Verizon's request? We will probably never know.

-Jay