Both the one I had problems with and the one another user on another board had problems with were eBay purchases, and it turns out they were from the same seller -- Sunchamp Corp., whose eBay ID is wholeaccessories. They did a fine job of shipping the cases promptly;

Yes, this was my seller too.
Facinating.
Maybe someone should warn the seller?

The Kyocera Rave mic in the lower part of the phone will not work if you screw the shell down too hard. Ther is NOTHING between the green speaker and the board. I thought the same. Just snug up the screws and experiment with the phone. I had the same problem. My phone works again now.....:-))

Go to http://www.cellular-parts.com/
They sell factory parts for the slider

Glad to be of service!

Incidentally, where'd you get your case from? Both the one I had problems with and the one another user on another board had problems with were eBay purchases, and it turns out they were from the same seller -- Sunchamp Corp., whose eBay ID is wholeaccessories. They did a fine job of shipping the cases promptly; but wonder if maybe they got a batch of KE433 cases that just aren't quite up to spec.

bzl

Originally posted by bzl

It turns out that there is no piece that goes between the microphone and the circuit board. However, there is a bit of clear plastic -- an *elastometer* -- that should be over the center of the microphone, on the side that faces the circuit board. This is the side with rings, rather than the black side. When the microphone and the circuit board are properly in place, and the case is screwed together as tightly as possible, the elastometer makes contact with the circuit board and causes the microphone to work.

......

On the other hand, if the elastometer's there, then it's quite possible that your mic's fine, and the problem may well be that the replacement case either isn't screwed together tightly enough -- or that it's poorly enough made that even if it's as tight as can be, the elastometer's not making contact with the circuit board.

............
Hope this is helpful!

-- bzl

VERY helpful. That identifies the problem with the new case. Thanks.

I recently ran into a problem with my Kyocera KE433 (Virgin Mobile's Rave K7). I ordered a replacement "faceplate" (actually a new front case and back battery cover) on eBay, and when I moved the guts of the phone to the new case, the internal microphone stopped working. I could plug in an external headset/mic and that would work fine, but the built-in microphone was dead, for no apparent reason.

Another member reported the same problem, with no solution, and I found a couple of other folks in other discussion groups on the web reporting the same thing.

I've been doing some research, and have identified two possible causes of the problem, as well as the accompanying solutions.

There were suggestions that there might be a piece that should go between the microphone and the circuit board, and that this piece went missing when I was replacing the case.

It turns out that there is no piece that goes between the microphone and the circuit board. However, there is a bit of clear plastic -- an *elastometer* -- that should be over the center of the microphone, on the side that faces the circuit board. This is the side with rings, rather than the black side. When the microphone and the circuit board are properly in place, and the case is screwed together as tightly as possible, the elastometer makes contact with the circuit board and causes the microphone to work.

So: look at the microphone. Is there a clear plastic circle on the side that faces the circuit board, or did the elastometer fall off when you switched cases? If the elastometer is missing, you'll need a new microphone. Other than finding a similar mic in another cell phone, the only source I've located in the last 24 hours is Universal Cellular, in Orlando, FL -- www.pcsrepair.com -- (407) 438-7766. They offered to sell me the mic for $20, plus $5 shipping. There may be cell phone repair places in your area, and if so they may be able to get the part. The technician I spoke with at Universal Cellular, though, gave me the information I needed to figure things out, and so I'm happy to give them a shout-out.

On the other hand, if the elastometer's there, then it's quite possible that your mic's fine, and the problem may well be that the replacement case either isn't screwed together tightly enough -- or that it's poorly enough made that even if it's as tight as can be, the elastometer's not making contact with the circuit board. To see if this is the real problem, try reassembling the phone in its original case, and screw it together as tightly as possible. Make sure, of course, that the black side of the the microphone faces the front of the case, while the elastometer side (with the circles) faces the circuit board. When it's reassembled, see if the microphone is working. If it is, you can try reassambling the phone in the new case, and screwing *it* together as tightly as it can possibly go. Then you'll know if the problem is the new case itself, or if it just wasn't screwed together tightly enough.

Turned out it was a case problem for me. The phone's back in its original case and works again. Maybe I'll get a new faceplate. Just the faceplate this time, but not a whole case....

Hope this is helpful!

-- bzl

Originally posted by bzl
I thought I'd worked carefully, but I didn't notice a part that goes between the microphone (in its green rubber circular casing) and the circuit board. Can anyone describe for me what this part looks like so I'll know it if I see it? Or is there a way to improvise the appropriate contact between the mic and the board?


bzl

I have the same problem with the daughter's phone. Anyone know how to make contact between the microphone and the circuit board?

I have the same problem -- replaced the case of my KE433, and now the internal mic doesn't work. I thought I'd worked carefully, but I didn't notice a part that goes between the microphone (in its green rubber circular casing) and the circuit board. Can anyone describe for me what this part looks like so I'll know it if I see it? Or is there a way to improvise the appropriate contact between the mic and the board?

Many thanks,

bzl

Oh yeah, do you know the pinout for the data cable? I would like to make some for cheaper than $40. They plug right into the headphone jack, so it can't be that hard to make. Hopefuly someone can figure it out and post it.

mr.java

Aparently people have had a problem with the battery contacts falling out when taking the KX414 apart. So be careful, ther are four parts that can fall out easily. The earpeice, the mic, the charger contact, and the battery contact. So be careful watch for these parts. And also avoid static electricity, these phones are sensative. The best would be to use a grounded wrist strap.

mr.java