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MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2012 AirPort/Bluetooth Cable Replacement

Written By: Andrew Optimus Goldheart (and 5 other contributors)
  • Comments: 71
  • Favorites: 10
  • Completions: 16

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

7

Time Required

15 minutes - 1 hour

Sections

3

Flags

0

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the AIrPort/Bluetooth cable.

  1. Remove the following ten screws securing the lower case to the upper case:

    • Remove the following ten screws securing the lower case to the upper case:

    • Three 13.5 mm (14.1 mm) Phillips screws.

    • Seven 3 mm Phillips screws.

    • When removing these screws, note how they come out at a slight angle. They must be reinstalled the same way.

    Edit

  2. Using both hands, lift the lower case near the vent to pop it off two clips securing it to the upper case.

    • Using both hands, lift the lower case near the vent to pop it off two clips securing it to the upper case.

    • Remove the lower case and set it aside.

    Edit

  3. For certain repairs (e.g. hard drive), disconnecting the battery connector is not necessary but it prevents any accidental shorting of electronics on the motherboard. If you do not disconnect the battery connector, please be careful as parts of the motherboard might be electrified. Use the edge of a spudger to pry the battery connector upwards from its socket on the logic board.

    • For certain repairs (e.g. hard drive), disconnecting the battery connector is not necessary but it prevents any accidental shorting of electronics on the motherboard. If you do not disconnect the battery connector, please be careful as parts of the motherboard might be electrified.

    • 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.

    Edit

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

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

    Edit

  6. Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the AirPort/Bluetooth connector out of its socket on the logic board.

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the AirPort/Bluetooth connector out of its socket on the logic board.

    Edit

  7. Peel back the piece of EMI tape covering the AirPort/Bluetooth cable on the AirPort/Bluetooth housing.

    • Peel back the piece of EMI tape covering the AirPort/Bluetooth cable on the AirPort/Bluetooth housing.

    Edit

  8. Use the flat end of a spudger to gently lift the AirPort/Bluetooth connector out of its socket on the AirPort/Bluetooth board. Remove the cable from your MacBook.

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to gently lift the AirPort/Bluetooth connector out of its socket on the AirPort/Bluetooth board.

    • Remove the cable from your MacBook.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

16 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 5 other contributors

Andrew Optimus Goldheart

Member since: 10/17/2009

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Community

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4 Comments

Is there a way to diagnose if the on and off bluetooth on my MacBook Pro Mid 2012 is related to a frayed Bluetooth cable vs a broken Bluetooth board?

Mina G. - Reply

I also have the same MacBook Pro. I just swapped the board and it didn’t fix my Bluetooth issue. It’s probably the cable.

Craig Arn -

I’d call this an easy replacement to be honest. Pulling the tape back is the hardest part. I didn’t disconnect the battery for mine (as some reviews said that could cause shorts as much as not disconnecting it), and things went just fine. All together, replacement took me less than 10 minutes from start to end, and things work great now!

John Kidd - Reply

This was an easy fix. I bought the cable & the bt/wifi card, but turned out only the cable was faulty.

Egbert Kappert - Reply

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