MacBook Air 11" Mid 2011 AirPort/Bluetooth Card Replacement

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Introduction

Use this guide to replace a failed AirPort/Bluetooth card. Note that the the airport antenna cables in the Macbook Air 11.6 inch 2011 model are longer than that of the 2010 model. If you're thinking of an easy swap of screen assembly between these two models, it will not work.

What you need

Step 1 Lower Case

MacBook Air 11" Mid 2011 AirPort/Bluetooth Card Replacement, Lower Case: step 1, image 1 of 1

Tool used on this step:

P5 Pentalobe Screwdriver Retina MacBook Pro and Air

$5.99

Buy

Shut down and close your computer. Lay it on a soft surface top-side down.
Remove the following ten screws:
Two 8 mm 5-point Pentalobe screws
Eight 2.5 mm 5-point Pentalobe screws
The special screwdriver needed to remove the 5-point Pentalobe screws can be found here.

Step 2

Wedge your fingers between the display and the lower case and pull upward to pop the lower case off the Air.

Step 3 Battery

MacBook Air 11" Mid 2011 AirPort/Bluetooth Card Replacement, Battery: step 3, image 1 of 2

MacBook Air 11" Mid 2011 AirPort/Bluetooth Card Replacement, Battery: step 3, image 2 of 2

In this step you will disconnect the battery to help avoid shorting out any components during service.
Use the flat end of a spudger to pry both short sides of the battery connector upward to disconnect it from its socket on the logic board.
Bend the battery cable slightly away from the logic board so the connector will not accidentally contact its socket.

Step 4 AirPort/Bluetooth Card

MacBook Air 11" Mid 2011 AirPort/Bluetooth Card Replacement, AirPort/Bluetooth Card: step 4, image 1 of 2

MacBook Air 11" Mid 2011 AirPort/Bluetooth Card Replacement, AirPort/Bluetooth Card: step 4, image 2 of 2

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry both antenna connectors up from their sockets on the AirPort/Bluetooth card.

Step 5

Remove the single 2.9 mm T5 Torx screw securing the AirPort/Bluetooth card to the logic board.

Step 6

Slightly lift the free end of the AirPort/Bluetooth board and pull it out of its socket on the logic board.
To avoid damaging its socket on the logic board, do not excessively lift the free end of the AirPort/Bluetooth card.
Remove the AirPort/Bluetooth board from the Air.