Garmin Vivoactive Motherboard Replacement

Introduction

The motherboard is one of the most important components of any electronic device. Damage to the motherboard could result for a variety of reasons. Replacing it may be the best option to get your Vivoactive back to running like new.

The Garmin team did a fantastic job backing a lot of punch into this tiny board, some of the most notable components are:

GPS and GLONASS antenna
Bluetooth antenna
Heartbeat Sensor antenna
Non-Volatile Flash Memory and RAM

If you're having problems with any of these components, you should consider following this replacement guide for a solution.

What you need

Step 1 Wristband

Garmin Vivoactive Motherboard Replacement, Wristband: step 1, image 1 of 1

Hold the the metal screwdriver, with a T5 Torx bit, in your dominant hand.
Hold the rubber screwdriver, with a Hex T6 Torx bit, in your other hand.
While holding the rubber screwdriver in place, simultaneously unscrew the pin (counterclockwise) with the metal screwdriver in your dominant hand.

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Step 2

Once the 1mm screw is removed, reinsert the metal screwdriver in that same hole.
Gently push the strap's pin out. It will begin to protrude from the other end.
Use your fingers to grab the exposed pin and slide it free. The strap should now be disconnected from the device.

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Step 3 Display Unit

Garmin Vivoactive Motherboard Replacement, Display Unit: step 3, image 1 of 1

Place a heated iOpener over the display to loosen the adhesive.
After about a minute, the iOpener may be removed.
For more in depth instructions on using the iOpener, refer to the iOpener guide.

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Step 4

Place the blue plastic opening tool in-between the screen and plastic casing of the watch and slowly pry up one side of the screen.

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Step 5

Once the first side has come free, wedge the blue pick in between the screen and watch unit on that side.
Complete one pass around the perimeter of the screen to break the adhesive bond on all four sides.
Insert it a minimal distance to avoid damaging internal components.

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Step 6

Use the blue plastic opening tool to pry up the side of the glass. Raise it to a point where your fingernail can fit in the gap.
Do the same on the opposite side of the device until you have a good grip of the screen.

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Step 7

Obtain a careful grip of the screen from two of its sides.
Slowly lift the screen off of the case. Separate it just enough so as not to damage the connection to the motherboard.

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Step 8

Detach the orange tab that connects the screen to the motherboard with a gentle uplift using a plastic opening tool.
Upon completing this step, the screen should be free from the rest of the device.

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Thank you. The repair worked out very well. The tools made it possible. I had cracked the screen and now it is back to being a touch screen.

Luigi Vitalini - Mar 22, 2021 Reply

Step 9 Battery

Garmin Vivoactive Motherboard Replacement, Battery: step 9, image 1 of 2

Garmin Vivoactive Motherboard Replacement, Battery: step 9, image 2 of 2

Follow previous guides until you've exposed the battery as shown.
Begin by removing the battery connector tab.
Be sure not to use a metal implement or your fingers to remove this tab. Doing so may cause personal harm or damage to the electrical components.

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Step 10

Use a plastic opening pick to gently pry out the battery as shown.
The battery is Lithium Polymer, follow safe handling procedures and DO NOT deform it upon removal.

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Step 11

Garmin Vivoactive Motherboard Replacement: step 11, image 3 of 3

With the battery loose from the case, rotate it to expose the attached tab
Gently pry up the attached tab with a fingernail.
Keep the vibrator, circled in red, as you may need to solder it to the new battery upon re-installation later.

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After reaching step 11, you have to assemble the watch by reversing the steps. But how do you reverse step 3?

How do you glue the watch face on again? What glue do I need to buy?

alan

Alan Rickayzen - Nov 15, 2019 Reply

Step 12 Motherboard

Garmin Vivoactive Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 12, image 1 of 2

Garmin Vivoactive Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 12, image 2 of 2

Remove the four 2.4 mm screws with a PH00 Phillips head screwdriver.
Make an effort not to damage any nearby components of the motherboard with the screwdriver.

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Step 13

Use the spudger to pry up the board from the case.
Insert the spudger a minimum distance beneath the board as there are components below.
Wiggle the exposed side of the board from each end until it comes free.
Use proper electrostatic discharge safety when removing and handling the board.