Ok, so my left earphone doesn't work anymore. It does work when I pull the wire near the plug a little in a certain direction, because then the plug makes proper contact then I think. So I think my audio connector, or whatever you call that, where you plug in your earphones, has shifted a bit or something.

I've been trying to open my iPhone so that I can do something about the connector, move it a bit maybe, but it's a pain. Is there any easier way you guys know of that I can fix this?

I live in the Netherlands so I can't use warranty. (I bought it while in the US)

I use it a lot to listen to music, this really sucks....

hmm i think your earphones are broken, try it with a different pair, i'm quite sure it 's not the phone

boz

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'There is no I in threesome'

It is the phone, I tried other earphones with the same problem.

I think you've got to replace the female jack plug.

Ok so I haven't entirely opened the iPhone yet, I'm going to get the stuff I need to replace it first. Aside from the female jack plug, what do I need to do this? Will I need to resolder the iPhone's wiring?

And what is a good way to open the upper casing without damaging it too much? I've been prying forever at that thing with the thinnest object I could find, a screwdriver for the small screws that are under the first cap, but I still damaged the case. And the lower, black case is held to the iPhone with a piece of tape atm, lol. Because I quit trying to get the upper case off after a while.

What you need -
Phillips screw driver -size 00
New back panel - preferably one with the same GB as you have (although most replacements come with an IMEI and Serial number on them that will be incorrect this does not affect you as you don't have warranty anyway) - search ebay and make sure you get one with the small parts already fitted - that is the side rails and volume button, etc. (It is impossible to transfer these parts contrary to sellers instructions)
Replacement aerial cover (black plastic bit that you have damaged) ebay again.
Replacement headphone socket and ribbon cable (comes as one part). Now then, there are two of these available - the 4 and 8GB model is different part to the 16GB. Most on ebay are for 4/8GB. Ifixit.com appears to have the correct one for the 16GB.
Magnifying glass (the screws holding the socket and other switches are minute and easily lost)
Steady hand and a sweat-band LOL
Do not throw any bits away until you have everything to hand as you have to reuse part of the on/off switch and the metal backing for the silent switch.
Make sure the phone is OFF, that is 'slide to turn off'
Remove the metal back - you will defo damage this in the process!
Undo the connector using your fingernail and note which way round it came off.
There are 10 small screws holding the ribbon/switches in place. Take them out in any order. To replace the new part start with the silent switch first and MAKE SURE the switch is in the ON position (that is the red dot is visible) and that the micro switch on the cable is in the down position (that is, the slider is in a down state when you hold the cable with the ribbon at the bottom). This slider part is very easily broken off so be gentle when putting it into the case. Secure the metal backing with the two micro screws.
Next, headphone control - 3 screws for this part. Make sure you don't trap the ribbon when doing this one and once it is screwed in, slide the ribbon behind the upright for the vibrate motor.
Now, slide the headphone housing into the socket hole, and make sure the tiny tab on the left engages with the slot on the vibrate mounting and the base of the socket is flush with the metal case underneath. Screw this in place with the larger of the microscrews (x1)
Attach the vibrate motor with two micro screws.
Before attaching the on/off switch, note the position of the black button (one edge has raised bits on it) which is still attached to the old ribbon. Slide it off the end and place it the same way on the new cable. This is a fiddly part. Put the black button throught he casing carefully to avoid damge to the ribbon. Place the metal backing over the small metal loop and fix with two micro screws.
Reattach the ribbon cable to the PCB and test the headphone socket before you put the casing back together (nothing worse that locking the back in place to find there is something wrong with the new part!!! you would be back to the start again. Test the volume and silent buttons. If you have the wrong ribbon, the volume will show headphones when not plugged in and play through speaker when plugged in - sad but true that this means buying the correct cable! There is a fix for this if you need it, just ask.
Before you put the new back onto the iphone, remove the protective plastic cover from the camera glass if fitted! Close the case. Use the three screws to hold the back on. Slide on the new aerial cover using your fingernail to get the lip inder the new metal backing and dance round the room in a celebratory fashion :-)

Thanks scudder for this detailed procedure explanation.