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Kindle 3 Keyboard Replacement

Archived Guide
This guide is retained solely for historical purposes. Use the updated version of the guide to perform your repair.

Introduction

Archived/legacy version of the student-created keyboard guide.

What you need

  1. Kindle 3 Keyboard Replacement, Keyboard: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Insert a plastic opening tool into the seam between the back and front of the Kindle 3 (as indicated in the photograph).

    • If you have difficulty inserting the plastic opening tool, run the flat edge of the instrument along the seam to find a gap.

    • Using the plastic opening tool, lift the back cover of the device.

    • Remove the back cover.

    Edit

  2. Kindle 3 Keyboard Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 3 Kindle 3 Keyboard Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 3 Kindle 3 Keyboard Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • Using a Phillips #00 screwdriver, remove the 14 silver screws (4mm) that secure the components within the housing.

    Edit

  3. Kindle 3 Keyboard Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Using the screwdriver, remove the 11 gray screws (4mm) that secure the motherboard to the housing.

    Edit

  5. Kindle 3 Keyboard Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the battery, starting from the side that was secured by the screws.

    Edit

  6. Kindle 3 Keyboard Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 3 Kindle 3 Keyboard Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 3 Kindle 3 Keyboard Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Using the plastic opening tool, carefully lift the ribbon cable to disconnect it from the motherboard.

    • Latches secure the three remaining ribbon cables to the motherboard.

    • To disconnect the latched ribbon cable, open the latch and gently slide out the cable.

    • The rightmost photograph shows the ribbon cable with an open latch.

    Edit

  7. Kindle 3 Keyboard Replacement, Remove the 3G card: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • Insert the plastic opening tool underneath the silver-headed black cable and gently disconnect the cable from the motherboard.

    Edit

  8. Kindle 3 Keyboard Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 Kindle 3 Keyboard Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2

    • The motherboard is connected to the device by a red-and-black twisted pair cable. Do not detach the cable.

    • There are 3 spacers. Two of them are where the two screws attaching the battery were. The third is to the bottom right of the silver motherboard unit. Take care not to lose these spacers when moving the motherboard.

    • With the cable still attached, flip over the motherboard.

    • The silver motherboard unit with a serial number may fall out. If this occurs, slide the unit back into place.

    Edit

  9. Kindle 3 Keyboard Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the gray and gold plates from the housing.

    Edit

  10. Kindle 3 Keyboard Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Replace the damaged keyboard.

    • When reassembling the Kindle 3, test the power switch to make sure it moves freely.

    • When reassembling the device, do not mix up the gray and silver screw slots.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

Author

with 1 other contributor

James Gauger

Member since: 09/08/14

554 Reputation

2 Guides authored

Badges: 8

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Team

CSU Fullerton, Team 1-5, Bruce Fall 2014 Member of CSU Fullerton, Team 1-5, Bruce Fall 2014

CSUF-BRUCE-F14S1G5

4 Members

7 Guides authored

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