Installing iPod Nano 2nd Generation Logic Board

  • Author: iRobot
  • Difficulty: Difficult
  • Add Note x
  • x 9

Your iPod's motherboard controls just about everything on the iPod and includes the headphone jack.

Tools (continued)
Relevant parts
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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Case Assembly  ¶ 

  • Before opening your iPod, ensure that the hold switch is in the locked position.

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • Carefully insert an iPod opening tool in the seam between the metal casing and white plastic top.

  • Lift the top bezel off the iPod. It's glued on using a mild adhesive, so some force may be required.

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Add Note Edit Step 3  ¶ 

  • When removing the bottom bezel, be sure not to bend the plastic surrounding the dock connector.

  • Carefully insert an iPod opening tool in the seam between the metal casing and white plastic bezel.

  • Lift the bottom bezel off the iPod. It's glued on using a mild adhesive, so some force may be required.

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Add Note Edit Step 4  ¶ 

  • Remove the following two screws:

    • One #00 Phillips screw with a large head near the headphone jack.

    • One #00 Phillips screw with a smaller head near the side of the iPod. This screw strips easily, so be sure to press down firmly on the screwdriver.

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Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • Use a metal spudger to carefully pry the headphone jack out of the casing. DO NOT remove the headphone jack from the iPod entirely, as it is connected via a fragile ribbon connector to the click wheel.

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Add Note Edit Step 6  ¶ 

  • Slide the headphone jack out until the white plastic housing is no longer held in place by the metal casing.

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Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

  • Remove the newly-revealed Phillips #00 screw from beneath the headphone jack. Be careful, this screw is easily stripped.

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Add Note Edit Step 8  ¶ 

  • Lift the bottom bezel bracket out of the iPod.

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Add Note Edit Step 9  ¶ 

  • Remove the two Phillips #00 screws from the top of the iPod.

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Add Note Edit Step 10  ¶ 

  • The highlighted connector attaches the click wheel and headphone jack to the logic board. This cable must be disconnected from the logic board before continuing.

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Add Note Edit Step 11  ¶ 

  • Use a spudger to disconnect the headphone jack cable from the logic board. You need to gently pry the connector toward (or up, if you like, the connector is like LEGO® building blocks) the front of the iPod until it comes loose from the logic board.

  • Special hint for the reassembly: Push the connector inside until it is over the corresponding connector of the logic board. Then insert a thin tool over the connector and push it down onto the logic boards connector.

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Add Note Edit Step 12  ¶ 

  • Use a spudger to push the logic board through the iPod out of the casing. The click wheel and headphone jack should remain in the iPod.

  • Be careful not to catch the headphone jack and click wheel on the logic board as you remove the logic board and display.

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Add Note Edit Step 13  ¶ 

  • Completely remove the display and logic board from the metal casing.

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Add Note Edit Step 14 — Logic Board  ¶ 

  • Use a spudger to scrape away the black glue covering the three battery wires.

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Add Note Edit Step 15  ¶ 

  • Peel up the orange tape covering the three solder points on the other side of the logic board.

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Add Note Edit Step 16  ¶ 

  • Place the desoldering wick on top of the existing solder ball.

  • Place the soldering iron on top of wick above the existing solder ball.

  • Hold the soldering iron in place until the solder melts into the wick.

  • Repeat the same procedure on the remaining two connectors.

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Add Note Edit Step 17  ¶ 

  • Be careful not to scrape the metal rings surrounding the connectors off the logic board. If you accidentally scrape these off, you won't be able to reconnect the replacement battery.

  • Use a metal spudger to carefully straighten the battery wires. Be sure to only touch one contact at a time.

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Add Note Edit Step 18  ¶ 

  • Pull the battery wires through the logic board to free the battery. If the wires don't easily come free, make sure the wires are straight and all the solder has been removed.

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Add Note Edit Step 19  ¶ 

  • Use a metal spudger to carefully pry the metal bracket off the back of the display. Make sure you only pry off the bracket and not the clear shielding on the rear of the display. By working from the inside of the display, you won't be able to accidentally pry up the clear plastic shielding.

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Add Note Edit Step 20  ¶ 

  • Peel up the orange tape covering the display ribbon cable.

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Add Note Edit Step 21  ¶ 

  • Use a spudger to flip up the black plastic tab holding the orange display ribbon in place. The tab will rotate up 90 degrees, releasing the ribbon cable.

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Add Note Edit Step 22  ¶ 

  • Slide the display ribbon out of its connector and lift the display off of the logic board.

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Add Note Edit Step 23  ¶ 

  • Logic board remains.

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

For more information, check out the iPod Nano 2nd Generation device page.

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