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I've tried to remove a faulty 6.5mm headphone jack from a FX-Audio DAC-X6 and ended up removing the solder pads from the board. I'm trying to save this instead of trashing it and buying a new one for $50+. If I order a new headphone socket where can I attach the pins (Right, Left, Ground)? I don't understand what the 4th pin is and where it should be attached.

top of board

back of board

replacement headphone port

top full image

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Most likely is a make brake signal pin \$\endgroup\$ Aug 20, 2019 at 21:29
  • \$\begingroup\$ Being typically pedantic, it's not a 6.5mm jack, it's 6.35mm or 1/4 inch. Similarly the jack often called an 1/8 inch jack in the USA is in fact 3.5mm. So there ! \$\endgroup\$ Oct 11, 2020 at 2:43
  • \$\begingroup\$ Can't you 'patch' the board up ? The damage doesn't look that severe. \$\endgroup\$ Oct 11, 2020 at 18:46

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Follow the traces from each damaged pad and connect a wire between that pin and the other end of the trace.

If it's a TRS jack (and not TRRS), the extra pin may just be for mounting (mechanical) and not need to connect anywhere electrically. It could also be a switched contact. You can figure that out with a continuity meter.

Be aware that this PCB likely has a ground plane which means that any pad that's supposed to connect to ground may not have a visible trace. Check continuity between those pads and a point you know is grounded to be sure.

Next time, be more careful about desoldering before you pull the component out. A desoldering iron with a vacuum pump will come in handy for that type of work.

And when you order the new part, make sure the footprint and pinout matches perfectly. Check the measurements on the datasheet to be sure it will fit properly.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ The only trace I can see is on the back of the board marked in green \$\endgroup\$
    – D4RC N3T
    Aug 24, 2019 at 17:53
  • \$\begingroup\$ I see a trace on the top side of the board that leads under what appears to be a relay. Check continuity between nearby pads and find where it's supposed to connect. \$\endgroup\$ Aug 25, 2019 at 3:51
  • \$\begingroup\$ Yeah the trace you see on the top of the board is the same trace on the bottom that I marked in green. \$\endgroup\$
    – D4RC N3T
    Aug 25, 2019 at 17:12
  • \$\begingroup\$ They are 2 different traces coming from 2 different pads. Look closer. The tip and ring of the jack are likely going to 2 different pins of the relay. There would be no reason to put the same connection on the top and bottom layers of the board. \$\endgroup\$ Aug 25, 2019 at 22:22
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    \$\begingroup\$ I just soldered 3 wires, L/R/ground and touched them to a 1/4 plug connected to headphones, everything is working. Now I need to order a replacement 6.5mm socket. Since it doesn't seem that a fourth connection is needed can I order a 3 pin or should I just get a 4 pin like the original to be safe? \$\endgroup\$
    – D4RC N3T
    Aug 26, 2019 at 21:18

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