Installing MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Early 2013 I/O Board

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

Tool used on this step:
Tweezers
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• 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 Battery Contact Board

Tool used on this step:
Tweezers
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• Grasp the Interposer with tweezers.
• An interposer is the name for an interface that links one electrical connection to another. In this repair, it is the board connecting the battery to logic board.
• Lift the Interposer off the logic board and remove it.
• Removing this board will ensure that the battery remains disconnected throughout your repair, preventing your computer from accidentally powering on. It's also a good idea to take it out so it doesn't fall out unexpectedly.
Step 10 Heat Sink Assembly
• Remove the following screws securing the heat sink to the logic board assembly:
• One 2.4 mm Phillips #00 screw
• One 3.4 mm T5 Torx screw
• Four 2.7 mm T5 Torx screws
Step 11
• Lift and remove the heat sink up off the logic board assembly.
• When reinstalling the heat sink, be sure to apply a new layer of thermal paste. If you have never applied thermal paste before, we have a guide that makes it easy.
Step 12 I/O Board Data Cable
• Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the right side of the I/O board data cable connector up off its socket on the I/O board.
• When prying the I/O board data cable connector from its socket, make sure to pry the connector itself and not the socket. Prying the socket may cause irreversible damage to the I/O board.
Step 13
• Wedge the flat end of a spudger beneath the left side of the I/O board data cable connector.
• Gently twist the spudger to disconnect the I/O board data cable connector from its socket on the logic board.
Step 14
• Lift and remove the I/O board data cable from the MacBook Pro.
Step 15 Right Fan
• Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the retaining flap on the right fan ribbon cable ZIF socket.
• Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, not the socket itself.
• Pull the right fan ribbon cable straight out of its socket on the logic board.
Step 16
• Remove the three 3.1 mm T5 Torx screws securing the right fan to the logic board assembly.
Step 17
• Lift and remove the right fan out of the upper case.
Step 18 AirPort Board Assembly
• Remove the single 2.7 mm T5 Torx screw securing the AirPort board to the I/O board.
Step 19
• 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 20
• Move the antenna cables aside, clear of the AirPort board.
Step 21
• Pull the AirPort board straight out of its socket on the I/O board.
Step 22 I/O Board
• Use the tip of a spudger to push the edges of the I/O board power connector straight out of its socket on the logic board.
• It is recommended to carefully push on both sides of the connector to "walk" it out of its socket.
Step 23
• Pull the I/O board connector straight out of its socket on the logic board.
Step 24
• Remove the following two screws securing the I/O board to the upper case:
• One 3.5 mm T5 Torx screw
• One 4.9 mm T8 Torx screw
Step 25
• Carefully pull and remove the I/O board away from its recess in the upper case.

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Sam Goldheart

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