Repair your ihome after it no longer detects your ipod & only displays AUX

  • Posted by DIYer
  • December 2, 2008

I was first interested in the ihome alarm clock because of it’s ability to charge the ipod and use it as a radio. After browsing ebay for one I noticed that a lot of the ihomes were being sold “as is” with the ipod function no longer working. So I bought a broken IH5 for $5 & as it turns out there is an easy fix for the problem. The pins in the dock connector wear out and your ipod will probably sooner or later not connect anymore and not switch from the aux setting when you dock an ipod. I called ordered a new dock conector from ihome. They with give you the part number you need for your model. My part was described as dock connector part # IH5-101 (yours may be different.) You will have to use snail mail and send a money order to SDI Technology for 9.50 + 4 S&H = 13.50.

To open the ihome first, place it on a soft cloth or towel so you won’t scratch the plastic. Turn the radio so the bottom is up.

Next locate the arrows on the bottom of the ihome next to the scew holes. These arrows indicate the screws that need to be removed to gain access to the inside. Two of the screws are covered by rubber feet but can be easily removed with a little prying from a small screwdriver.

Remove all the screws with arrow indicators. Make sure you remember where they go. Not all the screws are the same size, so draw yourself a map of the bottom of the ihome and tape the screws to the location they were taken out of, or what I normally do is arrange them on a table in the pattern of their original location.

Now pull up the bottom cover. There are four sets of wires connected to the bottom plate. Detach the 3 wire sets at the white connectors. The fourth wire set will be long enough for you to set the bottom plate flat on the table.

Next remove all the screws on the circuit board and remember their location.

Pull up the circuit board slightly and you will be able to access the four screws holding the dock connector in. Remove the screws and detach it from the circuit board at the white connector.

Now remove the two screws and replace the old dock connector with the new one. I noticed that the new connector was slightly redesign and appeared stronger, so hopefully it will last longer than the original. Now just replace everything in the reverse order. Be careful to move the wires out of the way when you replace the circuit board and bottom cover. Now the ipod will connect and hopefully work like new.

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December 2nd, 2008
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Comment Number:
1
Written by:
Darvin
Posted on:
January 14, 2009 at 11:01 am

Just the information I was looking for. I am looking to repair my wife’s old IH5 that is having exactly the same problem.

Comment Number:
2
Written by:
Dale
Posted on:
February 12, 2009 at 2:27 pm

Thanks so much, mine is the IH27, it was MUCH simpler to get the part out, two screws then unplug it. and the address you send it to is:
Sdi Technologies Inc. 135 Essex Ave E. Avenel, NJ 07001
The customer service lady at the El Paso plant gave me this number too, I spoke with the head guy for spare parts.
(732) 855-0220 Ext. 116
The first people I talked to told me I couldn’t order just that part. I called the main SDI customer service and iHome customer service.

Comment Number:
3
Written by:
Dan
Posted on:
February 21, 2009 at 7:31 am

this information is very helpful except it does not tell you where to purchase the replacement connector and how much it is. please update with this information.

Comment Number:
4
Written by:
Logan
Posted on:
June 4, 2009 at 6:04 pm

You are the best!! I got a free ihome that was broken, and followed your instructions carefully, and I am now enjoying a “new” iHome! Thank you thank you thank you!!

Comment Number:
5
Written by:
WESLEY
Posted on:
July 21, 2009 at 2:52 pm

thank you very much for the instructions. i couldve figured them out myself but i thought it would save me some trouble if i read it over first.

the pictures were a big help! now i can charge my ipod while listening to it! thanks again!

Comment Number:
6
Written by:
Doug
Posted on:
August 23, 2009 at 12:34 pm

The IH5 requires one to take the whole Ihome apart to replace the docking connector. The IH9 has 2 screws under the adapter plate to remove the connector and doesn’t require a complete disassemble. Good luck.

Comment Number:
7
Written by:
Jamie
Posted on:
January 13, 2010 at 4:30 pm

Thank you! These instructions were very helpful. I now can use my new 160 GB iPod Classic in my repaired iH5.

A further question, however: has anyone else tried to use the new, thinner iPods in this older iHome model? The tech support line staff told me to use the same insert (“thick iPod”) that I had used with my old, now broken, 60GB 5th Gen iPod, with those grey replacement pads on it (i.e. the exact same setup).

However, although my iH5 is now working again (hurrary!), with the thick insert in, the back of the new iPod is nowhere near the insert, which makes me worry that the dock connector will eventually loosen all over again. So, I used the thin insert, with the original pads over the grey ones for extra thickness, and it just about works, although the top layer of pads will no doubt fall off eventually unless I glue them.

Any other solutions? Thanks!

Comment Number:
8
Written by:
DIYer
Posted on:
January 14, 2010 at 9:29 am

you could use the self adhesive felt furniture leg pads. They come in large squares and you can cut them to whatever shape you need. Some new ipod’s won’t work with the ih5 because the new ipod’s no longer have firewire charging pins. Thanks for your comments!

Comment Number:
9
Written by:
Jamie
Posted on:
January 14, 2010 at 12:51 pm

Thank you! I think I actually still have some of those pads kicking around somewhere after an IKEA mission. It plays and charges just fine, thankfully!

Comment Number:
10
Written by:
Edee
Posted on:
March 11, 2010 at 7:45 pm

I had just dropped my ihome after getting my feet tangled up in the cords. Thank you so much. I needed this. The whole connecter thing broke. :D DD love u lottsss!!!! jkjk… but really u saved my life!!

Comment Number:
11
Written by:
Chris
Posted on:
March 13, 2010 at 12:54 pm

Worked like a dream..only comment to add is to be careful with the detaching the white connectors- Detach the 3 wire sets at the white connectors – At first I thought the disconnected from the board, which they do not – carefully pull them apart.

Comment Number:
12
Written by:
artie
Posted on:
June 6, 2010 at 4:48 pm

hey im sorry i didnt get the part were can i get a spare part of dock connector ?

Comment Number:
13
Written by:
DIYer
Posted on:
June 6, 2010 at 9:46 pm

give this number a call 1 (800) 288-2792 Monday-Friday between 8 AM and 4 PM EST

Comment Number:
14
Written by:
chris
Posted on:
July 9, 2010 at 7:41 am

I got to the step where you have to disconnect the white connector, but it seems like it’s attached to the circuit board permanently…is there any special way to detach it? I don’t want to break the circuit board.

Comment Number:
15
Written by:
DIYer
Posted on:
July 9, 2010 at 12:05 pm

It’s been awhile but I believe there it two white pieces. One that is connected to the circuit board and one that slips out of the other white piece. There may also be a tab that you can use a small screwdriver and lift the tab slightly and separate the two pieces. Let me know if this works for you.

Comment Number:
16
Written by:
TIM
Posted on:
August 23, 2010 at 9:13 am

I also have the IH27 customer support said that I had to send in the whole unit to have it fixxed. there are only two screws holding down the dock to the unit.
a ten pin ribbon plug, then four small screws to remove the small board. two Mins to take it apart and one min to put it back together. put they want me to mail the whole thing and thirty dollar money order.

WHAT A JOKE