any tricks to make a loose connection better?

[joko]

the socket on my satnav doesnt connect the lead properly - i have to wiggle it about to make it 'catch'...obviously the socket is a bit damaged from the inside (because its like that with bother chargers) - so does anyone know how i can make it connect properly?
any tricks or tips etc ?

thanks

[romko]

Do not nurse this along. It will get worse not better.There are no botches for this sort of thing to make anything like a permanent solution.
You need to ascertain if the problem is the device of the lead/plug. one thing I see often, with laptops and other such devices, is that the socket on the pcb of the device works loose and the solder cracks. In that case, opening it up and touching up the solder with a 25-30watt iron will probably solve it, unless the socket is damaged and needs changing.
If it is the lead/plug, buy a new barrel plug of the same type as the original - see maplin and the like - cut off the old moulded-on plug and cut back the lead a few inches .
Solder on the new plug, making sure the correct wire goes to the right terminal -the tip /core and outer /ring polarity must be correct.
Hope that helps

[joko]

thanks

it is deinitely the socket as it happens with both chargers.

is it something simple to do? dont want to open it up and risk wrecking ti completely...

[romko]

without seeing the device, I can't say how easy it woudl be to open.
If it is not a screwed case there are usually some clips - running a knife down the side where the two halves meet and using some presure may pop it open. From there it should be a matter of resoldering. if you have no experience of soldering I suggest googling for the technique, then practising on some junk PC parts or other unwanted electroncs circuit boards (ask on freecycle) before taking apart your sat nav. good luck with it!

[stoofur]

If it is a popular satnav quite often there are really good how to dissasemble guides on the internet. As the previous person said to check out Google. I have fixed and ITouch using guides and a digital camera so it is probably worth looking.