Laptop Headphone Jack Volume problem

[Matthew Mucklo]

Hello,

Recently did some repair on a laptop motherboard. Had a busted
mini-jack for the headphones which I replaced (or actually swapped it
with an identical part).

Sound now comes out (in stereo), however at miniscule volume, even if
all the volume controls are cranked. The volume control does make a
difference, but it doesn't ever get above a minimally audible level.

The speakers built into the computer work fine, so I'm sure that the
sound board is okay.

My question is this - am I missing one of the connections to the jack
(like the ground, for example)? Does anyone know how these jacks work
from a circuitry level (as in what would cause the loss of volume)?

--Matt

 

[Jerry Greenberg]

It is hard to answer this remotely without really getting in there
with an ohm meter and doing continuaty checks.

The board you mounted the jack on is most likely double sided or multi
layered. The audio may be coming to the jack from the top or a layer
in between the board, and the soldering contact to the jack is not
proper. This is something you will have to investigate.

It is also possible that the jack may be defective, or as said before,
something is opened to it.

Jerry Greenberg
http://www.zoom-one.com