Installing iPad 3G Ambient Light Sensor

Replacing the ambient light sensor on your iPad 3G.

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Use this guide to replace a broken ambient light sensor.

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Tools
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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Display Assembly  ¶ 

  • The iPad shown in the photos may look slightly different from your iPad, but the procedure is the same.

  • Insert a metal spudger between the right edge of the display assembly and the rear panel assembly.

  • Rotate the spudger away from you to release the tabs along the top edge of the display.

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • Insert a second metal spudger between the top edge of the display assembly and the rear panel assembly to keep the tabs from snapping back into place.

  • Pry the display assembly away from the rear panel.

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Add Note Edit Step 3  ¶ 

  • Continue prying the display assembly away from the rear panel along the bottom and left edges of the iPad.

  • Use extreme caution as you approach the top edge of the iPad. The digitizer ribbon cable is located near the edge of the rear panel and can easily be damaged.

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Add Note Edit Step 4  ¶ 

  • Lift the display assembly away from the rear panel assembly by its bottom edge.

  • Do not excessively lift the display assembly off the rest of the iPad, as a fragile antenna cable with very little slack still connects the two components.

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Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the antenna connector closest to the bottom of the iPad up off its socket on the communications board.

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Add Note Edit Step 6  ¶ 

  • In the following steps, you will disconnect the three cables attaching the display assembly to the logic board. The cables are for the following components:

    • Digitizer

    • Ambient Light Sensor

    • Display Data Cable

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Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

  • Use the edge of an iPod opening tool to flip up the retaining flaps holding the digitizer ribbon cables in their sockets on the logic board.

  • Be sure you are flipping up the retaining flap, not the socket itself.

  • Pull the digitizer ribbon cables straight out of their sockets.

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Add Note Edit Step 8  ¶ 

  • Use an iPod opening tool to remove the ambient light sensor connector from its socket by gently prying upward.

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Add Note Edit Step 9  ¶ 

  • Disconnect the display data cable from the main board by flipping up the metal retainer by its black plastic pull tab.

  • Pull the cable connector away from its socket.

  • Pull the connector parallel to the face of the logic board.

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Add Note Edit Step 10  ¶ 

  • Remove the display assembly from the rear panel assembly.

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Add Note Edit Step 11 — Ambient Light Sensor  ¶ 

  • If necessary, peel the strip of foam tape off the ambient light sensor.

  • It is not necessary to completely remove the foam tape attached to the antenna.

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Add Note Edit Step 12  ¶ 

  • Use the edge of an iPod opening tool to carefully pry the ambient light sensor board off the adhesive securing it to the display frame.

  • Once you've gained enough clearance, peel the ambient light sensor off the LCD.

  • If necessary, attach the plastic view window to your new ambient light sensor before installation.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

For more information, check out the iPad 3G device page.

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