Installing MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 AirPort/Bluetooth Board

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Feb 02, 2012 - 05:52:03

Mar 03, 2015 - 02:40:59 Jul 31, 2013 - 04:16:48 Feb 02, 2012 - 05:52:03 Jun 21, 2011 - 11:51:46 Apr 19, 2011 - 05:03:14 Mar 30, 2011 - 02:54:30 Mar 30, 2011 - 02:53:54 Mar 30, 2011 - 02:53:32 Mar 30, 2011 - 02:53:29 Mar 30, 2011 - 02:41:26 Mar 30, 2011 - 02:41:24 Mar 30, 2011 - 02:41:16 Mar 30, 2011 - 02:41:14 Mar 30, 2011 - 02:41:05 Mar 30, 2011 - 02:41:03 Mar 30, 2011 - 02:40:53 Mar 24, 2011 - 03:29:14

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Introduction

Use this guide to replace a broken AirPort/Bluetooth board.

What you need

Step 1 Lower Case

Installing MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 AirPort/Bluetooth Board, Lower Case: step 1, image 1 of 1

Remove the following ten screws:
Three 14.4 mm Phillips #00 screws
Three 3.5 mm Phillips #00 screws
Four 3.5 mm shouldered Phillips #00 screws
When replacing the small screws, align them perpendicular to the slight curvature of the case (they don't go straight down).

Step 2

Use your fingers to pry the lower case away from the body of the MacBook near the vent.
Remove the lower case.

Step 3 Battery Connection

Installing MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 AirPort/Bluetooth Board, Battery Connection: step 3, image 1 of 2

Installing MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 AirPort/Bluetooth Board, Battery Connection: step 3, image 2 of 2

Use the edge of a spudger to pry the battery connector upwards from its socket on the logic board.
It is useful to pry upward on both short sides of the connector to "walk" it out of its socket. Be careful with the corners of the connectors, they can be easily broken off.

Step 4

Bend the battery cable slightly away from its socket on the logic board so it does not accidentally connect itself while you work.

Step 5 AirPort/Bluetooth Assembly

Installing MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 AirPort/Bluetooth Board, AirPort/Bluetooth Assembly: step 5, image 1 of 1

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the AirPort/Bluetooth ribbon cable connector up from its socket on the logic board.

Step 6

Carefully pull the camera cable out of its socket on the logic board.
Pull the cable parallel to the face of the logic board. Pulling it upward may damage the logic board or the cable itself.

Step 7

Carefully move the AirPort/Bluetooth ribbon cable out of the way as you peel the camera cable off the adhesive securing it to the subwoofer and the AirPort/Bluetooth bracket.
De-route the camera cable out from under the retaining finger molded into the AirPort/Bluetooth bracket.

Step 8

Use the tip of a spudger to pry the antenna connector closest to the logic board up from its socket on the AirPort/Bluetooth board.
De-route the antenna cable from under the finger molded into the AirPort/Bluetooth bracket.

Step 9

Using the method described in the last step, disconnect the remaining three antenna connectors.
De-route their cables from the slots cut in the AirPort/Bluetooth bracket.

Step 10

Remove the following five screws:
Two 10.3 mm Phillips screws
Two 3.1 mm Phillips screws
One 5 mm Phillips screw

Step 11

Pull the AirPort/Bluetooth assembly and the Subwoofer upward near the center of the side of the optical drive until they clear each other.

Step 12

Remove the AirPort/Bluetooth assembly, minding the fragile antenna contact near the corner of the upper case.

Step 13 AirPort/Bluetooth Board

Installing MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 AirPort/Bluetooth Board, AirPort/Bluetooth Board: step 13, image 1 of 1

Peel back the piece of EMI tape covering the AirPort/Bluetooth cable connector.

Step 14

Use the tip of a spudger to lift the AirPort/Bluetooth cable connector out of its socket on the AirPort/Bluetooth board.
Remove the AirPort/Bluetooth cable.