[Destroid]

I've read that this seems to be a common Tour problem, but I figured I'd post in hopes that SOMEBODY would have a viable solution. I got my Tour refurbished because the Android-powered phone I had was such a piece of crap I refused to pay the insurance deductible to replace it. Overall, I've been VERY pleased with this Tour...except...

It will randomly stop charging. Will not recognize any charger input. I've tried different chargers, wiggling the charger (gently), using the "softpull" program, new battery, everything. The only thing that fixes it is to pull the battery. Two problems with that. First, I have a full Otter Box and that's a pain (especially when you have to do it 3 times in a night, like tonight). Also, Blackberries take 3-5 days to restart when the battery is pulled (exaggerating, but not by much)...

I've called Sprint and all they wanna do is replace the unit...but from what I've read this is a common Tour problem, and everyone I read had the same problem, even with a new handset. And these are kind of a pain to setup when you've worked 10-12 hours.

Anyhow, sorry to "whine", just hoping someone will help me fix a problem with this otherwise WONDERFUL phone...

[green_ember]

Hate to say it, but ditch that Tour. It IS a great phone when it works, but that's not often. You should get the Bold 9650 instead. It's the same exact phone, but with better hardware and BBOS 6, which only takes 3-6 minutes instead of days to reboot and has an actually usable web browser. I loved my 9650 and would still be using it if I hadn't treated myself to a new 9930. It's a solid device for anyone not looking to shell out big money for an OS7 handset.

[Destroid]

Thanks bud. Yea, I had a Bold a couple years back and I did really like it, and I guess in a few months perhaps it'll be an option...but I'll have to buy it outright, as I'm not eligible for an upgrade right now. I got this as a refurb and this is the best BB they offer...the other one is the old Curve. I was thinking people would tell me this wasn't something that was repairable, was just hoping it would be.

[Sky.Jack21]

My verizon tour doesn't have charging problems, great phone!

[BergerKing]

Install a meter app like Tiny Meter. You can use it to monitor the shutdowns, primarily look for high heat conditions, which, oddly enough, make the Tour stop charging. Your Otterbox may be contributing to heat retention, thereby causing it to shut down even more frequently.

Another thing you may check is if you've recently done a PRL update. Tour was notorious for signal issues, and a hinky signal will also make it heat up. To update your PRL on Sprint, go to Manage Connections>Mobile Network Options>Menu>Update PRL.

With the network changes Sprint as been taking on, a PRL update can really help if you're having data issues, sometimes.

Hopefully, some of these suggestions will help you get to the crux of your problems. My wife's Tour has done similar on occasion, and I have to remind her to do the same things.

[dbxd]

I have the same problem , is there any fix? Do I need a new phone?

[Destroid]

I did a PRL (Profile?) Update...and installed TinyMeter...how hot is too hot? The OtterBox might be contributing/causing the issue but it's also keeping this phone alive...I am hard on cell phones...

[RS500]

Sounds like heat is the enemy here. There are a few factors which can contribute to heat production/retention, and the Otterbox is definitely one of them. I would say around 95+F (35Celsius) is nipping at too hot.

A few questions:

What is your OS version?
What apps do you have installed?
Does it only get hot while charging?

Take a sampling of temperature readings from a couple of days use and report back. Note the highest temp Tinymeter records.

[Destroid]

Well, right now it's at 29*C but last night it was at 45* C...so yea, it's getting too hot...how can I fix it? Any ideas? I really need to keep the 0tter Box on...

edit, here's all the details...

O.S.-5.0.0.1030

current temperature-30* C
seems to average low to mid 30's, last night got as high as 46* C and tended to stay in the low to mid 40's...without charging. it appears that just using it is making it that hot.

apps installed:
-Opera Mini
-MySpace (not sure why, i never use it anymore)
-all the stock apps that come in the "Sports and Entertainment" folder from Sprint (Pandora, Pocket Express, NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile, Sprint Football Live, MLB.com Mobile Premium, Sprint TV, Sprint Music Store), i could delete all those...i never use them
-all the stock apps in the "Instant Messaging" folder (AIM, Google Talk, Yahoo, MSN and BBM), only one i'd ever use is Yahoo...
-all the stock apps that are in the "games" folder (Brick Breaker, Word Mole, Texas Hold 'Em King 2, Sudoku, Klondike), i never use any of these, they could be deleted...
-Sprint Software Store
-Sprint Navigation
-Nobex Radio
-Myxer MP3
-Quick Pull
-Tiny Meter
-Gas Buddy
-Facebook
-The Weather Channel

if you haven't been able to tell, i haven't really modded this phone at all. i like it a lot and would like to do more to it, i'm just really busy and honestly, it's a pretty good phone as it is, if i could get this charging issue solved. maybe i should install a high flow water pump, oversized radiator and maybe an electric cooling fan? (sorry, gearhead humor)

[RS500]

I got my Tour used but not refurbished. It had issues with getting hot although my highest recorded temp was only 40C.. It ran slow, signal was poor, (a bad radio file on your phone can cause it to constantly search for a signal thus increasing heat) and my battery life was terrible. Never had that random charge stop issue tho.

You may very well have a hardware issue, but If you're willing to invest the time to confirm, I would suggest wiping your phone and upgrading/installing a new Operating System, or even a hybrid. (There are tons of threads here on how to do it correctly) Install only the apps that you cant live without and see if that reduces the heat production. Make sure you put in a new (or fairly new) battery. Back up all data and any installed apps before wiping.

That's basically what I did, and now my phone's running nicely, temperature readings never rise beyond 25C even with heavy use in a warm climate. I also have a soft rubber sleeve on it all the time.

Hope this helps.
Good luck.

[Destroid]

Alright, thanks bud...I might just do that over the next week or so...

[Destroid]

Well, I'm using my phone, otter box/battery cover off and charging...so far it's gone from 34* C to 44* C (111.2* F)...that is entirely too hot. It's still charging for now though. I started deleting unnecessary apps...will most likely try a new OS here soon.

Edit-i guess 113* F (45* C) is it's cut off. It hit that and stopped charging.

Edit again-in just the few minutes since I posted that last edit, it's cooled off to 41* C and is cooler to the touch. Guess I can't use it while it's charging...

[BergerKing]

That was one place I'd always experience cutoff, trying to use heavily while charging. I've even done it a time or 3 on my Style. I suspected heat was the issue, based on what your symptoms were.

And 45˚ C is the cutoff point. I've pushed 52˚C, and I know one particularly shady character who has tagged 73˚ on his 9650, but he is a well know BlackBerry Abuser and really works it out, and that is with a large aftermarket battery, no back, and in a resin case.

[Destroid]

good LORD, 163*?!?! that is unreal!

and yea, from now on i'll just keep a much closer eye on the temp while i'm using it and it's charging. when it gets close, i'll unplug it. or stop using it. naa, i'll just unplug it...lol

but i'd still like to try things to keep it cooler if anyone has any ideas...

[Sky.Jack21]

That was one place I'd always experience cutoff, trying to use heavily while charging. I've even done it a time or 3 on my Style. I suspected heat was the issue, based on what your symptoms were.

And 45? C is the cutoff point. I've pushed 52?C, and I know one particularly shady character who has tagged 73? on his 9650, but he is a well know BlackBerry Abuser and really works it out, and that is with a large aftermarket battery, no back, and in a resin case.

In heavy usage, my tour can only peak upto 41* C, at that point the device is very slow like snail, until I put it on the fridge.

[Destroid]

Yep, I found out putting it in the fridge for a few minutes will make it resume charging...I do this instead of rebooting now...

[dave1701]

I have never had a problem.

[Destroid]

Lol you're basically the only one. You should donate your Bold to RIM to let them figure out what they did RIGHT in it so they could recall all the other ones and fix them.