MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Early 2013 AirPort Board Replacement

Step 1 Lower Case


Tool used on this step:
Magnetic Project Mat
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• Remove the following ten screws securing the lower case to the upper case:
• Two 2.3 mm P5 Pentalobe screws
• Eight 3.0 mm P5 Pentalobe screws
• Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your device.
Step 2

• Wedge your fingers between the upper case and the lower case.
• Gently pull the lower case away from the upper case.
• Remove the lower case and set it aside.
Step 3
• During reassembly, gently push down the center of the lower case to reattach the two plastic clips.
• The lower case is connected to the upper case at the center, with two plastic clips.
Step 4 Battery Connector
• Remove the plastic cover adhered to the battery contact board.
Step 5
• Remove the following screws securing the battery connector board to the logic board:
• Two 2.8 mm T6 Torx screws
• One 7.0 mm T6 Torx shouldered screw
Step 6
• Use tweezers to remove the small plastic cover located near the bottom right of the battery connector board.
Step 7
• Remove the wide head 6.4 mm T6 Torx screw securing the battery connector to the logic board assembly.
Step 8
• Carefully lift the battery connector board up off the logic board.
• It is recommended to bend the battery cables just slightly, to keep the board suspended up above the logic board and out of the way.
• Do not fold the board completely over, or crease the cables, as this may damage the battery.
Step 9 AirPort Board Assembly
• Remove the single 2.7 mm T5 Torx screw securing the AirPort board to the I/O board.
Step 10
• Use the flat end of a spudger to pry and disconnect the three antenna cable connectors from the AirPort board.
• The three cables are coded with black sleeves of different lengths. During reassembly:
• Connect the long-sleeved cable to the center socket.
• The short-sleeved cable connects next to the screw.
• The remaining cable has no sleeve, and connects in the last empty socket, next to the fan.
Step 11
• Move the antenna cables aside, clear of the AirPort board.
Step 12
• Wedge a plastic opening tool between the AirPort board (side nearest the I/O ports) and the I/O board.
• Gently pry the AirPort board upwards, but do not remove it.
• Only lift the AirPort board as much as is necessary to get a grip on it. Lifting it too high above the I/O board may damage the board or the socket.
Step 13
• Pull the AirPort board straight out of its socket on the I/O board.
Step 14 AirPort Board
• AirPort board remains.

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Sam Goldheart

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