Water damage indicator

[Cecil]

I apologize to all my friends and anyone else who I may have sucked into the vortex of my iPhone diatribe. I must also thank my sister and friend Jason for commenting on my FB notes which caused me to go at it just one more time. Because of that last ditch effort, I will be picking up a replacement iPhone from the Apple Store later on today.

The remedy to my plight came in the form of a customer service representative named Tiffany. I explained my situation to her. We politely went back and forth over Apple's policies. And ultimately when I convinced her that I'm not trying to defraud Apple, I'm just looking for some service, she made me an exception and is getting me a new phone.

What was so different about Tiffany than the 4 others I spoke with on the phone and the two in the store? Tiffany works in the "Customer Relations" Call Center. Not "Tech Support". For some reason the Tech Support guys don't know to transfer you there when you want to file a complaint. How does one get to Apple Customer Relations? You either need to get to a savvy agent on the Tech Suppport line, or ask for Customer Relations by name.

Call 800-275-2273 which is the Apl Care line. Keep hitting the zero prompt to get you to the main switch board agent. Then ask for "Customer Relations". These folks have the power to override Apple policy and provide you with service.

Tiffany has restored my faith in Apple. It shouldn't have taken 2 days of pain. Moisture indicators shouldn't be placed on the outside of electronic devices. But it would seem that somewhere inside the company this is a known and common occurrence and they are willing to work with people who are not abusing the system or trying to defraud the company.

Thank goodness! Deep breath! What do you know? The sun just came out too.

[Tinman]

Originally Posted by Cecil

I apologize to all my friends and anyone else who I may have sucked into the vortex of my iPhone diatribe.

No need to apologise! Although frustrating, I enjoyed reading the whole saga, and am glad it ended on a good note. Please keep us informed when you have the replacement in-hand.

[up10ad]

Both of Sandi's indicators are clearly red, but I can't get a pic of the headphone jack sensor. Here is the sensor on the bottom:

IMG_0149a.jpg

Do you see signs of horse spit there too? Here is the story if you missed it. I think I just a little in my mouth. Ooooo maybe I should start a class action lawsuit against Apple!

[CFS]

My iphone was supposed to be in a water proof bag (not) and a little water got into the bag. Needless to say like most electronics it did not work for a couple of days. After 48 hours, I charged the phone and powered it up and its been working fine; however, a red light indicator is now lit. Will this light ever go out or is this?

[up10ad]

CFS, by 'red light indicator' i assume you mean the water sensor which is a small non-electronic sensor that chemically changes color in the presence of water/liquid. And no, it won't ever change back on its own unfortunately. There are several of them in the iPhone.

[CFS]

up10ad thanks. A red light is now appearing by the ear speaker section near the top of the phone. If you look carefully at your phone you will see three small round circles on the iPhone. These circle are very hard to see, but now one is now lit to red when I power up the phone.

[up10ad]

Is yours a v1 iPhone? If so, the proximity sensor (turns of screen when you hold it to your ear) and the ambient light sensor are located there:

600px-Iphonesensors.jpg

On the 3G and S they are to the left of the slotted earpiece. The proximity sensor glows light red when it is on; usually when you have the phone next to your face or otherwise have the sensor covered. Could it be that your sensor is shot? Does the screen still turn off when you cover the sensor with your hand?

[CFS]

up10ad, yes it is a 3G and after a little more research found out that the light are proximity and ambient light sensors. Befroe the phone decided to take a bath, this light never came on, now it is on every time I power the phone on. The screen turns off when the sensors are covered when in the talk mode.

[CFS]

Found out that those are the proximity and ambient light sensors, which are normally visible as deep purple spots in certain lighting conditions, and become easily visible after the phone is immersed in water. Did not dind out if it would remain this color.

[Divyesh]

There should be a little circular sticker on the battery. If it senses water damage, it should turn from white to red.