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DualShock 3 Input Board Replacement

Written By: Andrew Bookholt (and 2 other contributors)
  • Comments: 15
  • Favorites: 35
  • Completions: 20

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

11

Time Required

Suggest a time??

Sections

4

Flags

0

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the thin plastic input board and its plastic frame. A new input board will provide new electrical contacts for every button except for the analog sticks.

Tools

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Parts

No parts specified.

  1. Remove the five 7.2 mm Phillips screws securing the rear cover to the controller.

    • Remove the five 7.2 mm Phillips screws securing the rear cover to the controller.

    Edit

  2. Press on the rear cover between the analog sticks and slightly lift the lower edge of it away from the rest of the controller.

    • Press on the rear cover between the analog sticks and slightly lift the lower edge of it away from the rest of the controller.

    Edit

  3. Push the rear cover slightly toward the top edge of the controller to clear the front edge of the #2 triggers. Pull the rear cover away from the rest of the controller, being careful not to pop off the #2 triggers.

    • Push the rear cover slightly toward the top edge of the controller to clear the front edge of the #2 triggers.

    • Pull the rear cover away from the rest of the controller, being careful not to pop off the #2 triggers.

    • If you happen to accidentally pop off the trigger buttons, we have a trigger button guide to reattach them.

    Edit

  4. Lift the battery off the motherboard for enough clearance to access the battery connector.

    • Lift the battery off the motherboard for enough clearance to access the battery connector.

    Edit

  6. Carefully pull the battery connector away from its socket on the motherboard.

    • Carefully pull the battery connector away from its socket on the motherboard.

    • It may be helpful to use a pair of tweezers or pliers to grab the battery connector when you disconnect it for the first time. Only pull on the connector. Do not try to remove by pulling on the red and black wires.

    Edit

  7. Remove the single 7.2 mm Phillips screw securing the motherboard to the front cover.

    • Remove the single 7.2 mm Phillips screw securing the motherboard to the front cover.

    Edit

  8. Slide the trigger button retainers slightly away from the front cover. Remove the #1 button on both sides. Remove the #1 button on both sides.

    • Slide the trigger button retainers slightly away from the front cover.

    • Remove the #1 button on both sides.

    Edit

  9. Pull the vibration motor retainers away from the front cover to dislodge the motherboard assembly. Pull the vibration motor retainers away from the front cover to dislodge the motherboard assembly.

    • Pull the vibration motor retainers away from the front cover to dislodge the motherboard assembly.

    Edit

  10. Remove the motherboard assembly from the front cover.

    • Remove the motherboard assembly from the front cover.

    • When removing the motherboard assembly, try not to tilt the front cover upside down as the buttons and their covers may fall out.

    Edit

  11. Carefully push the two vibration motors out of the input board frame. Carefully push the two vibration motors out of the input board frame.

    • Carefully push the two vibration motors out of the input board frame.

    Edit

  12. Lift the input board assembly off the motherboard.

    • Lift the input board assembly off the motherboard.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

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One Comment

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Will a repair guide be available for the newer Dualshock 3 controllers? Because they are vastly different and look to be cheaply made. The CECHZC2U A2 is the one I'm thinking of. I ask becase it's near impossible to find the older better made controllers like the one featured here.

dragonzion007 - Reply

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