MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement

Step 1 Access Door

• With the case closed, place the Unibody top-side down on a flat surface.
• Depress the grooved side of the access door release latch enough to grab the free end. Lift the release latch until it is vertical.
Step 2

• The access door should now be raised enough to lift it up and out of the Unibody.
Step 3 Battery
• Be sure the access door release latch is vertical before proceeding.
• Grab the white plastic tab and pull the battery up and out of the Unibody.
Step 4 Lower Case
• Remove the following eight screws securing the lower case to the chassis:
• One 3 mm Phillips screw.
• Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.
• Four 3.5 mm Phillips screws.
Step 5
• Using both hands, lift and remove the lower case off the upper case.
Step 6 Display Assembly
• Disconnect the camera cable by pulling the male end straight away from its socket.
• Be careful not to pull up on the cable as you remove it from the socket.
Step 7
• De-route the camera data cable from the channel in the optical drive.
Step 8
• Remove the following screws securing the camera data cable and right speaker to the upper case:
• One 9.9 mm partially threaded Phillips screw
• One 9.6 mm threaded Phillips screw
• One 4 mm Phillips screw
• Slide the camera cable bracket out from under the subwoofer and remove it from the computer.
• The iSight cable has an eyelet through which passes the left-most screw in these pictures.
Step 9
• Grab the plastic pull tab secured to the display data cable lock and rotate it toward the DC-in side of the computer.
• Pull the display data cable connector straight away from its socket.
• Make sure to pull the connector straight away and not straight up from its socket.
Step 10
• Remove the following two screws from the display data cable bracket:
• One 7 mm Phillips screw.
• One 5 mm Phillips screw.
• Lift the display data cable bracket out of the upper case.
Step 11
• Remove the two outer 6 mm Torx screws securing each side of the display to the upper case (4 screws total).
Step 12
• Open your MacBook so the display is perpendicular to the upper case.
• Place your opened MacBook on a table as pictured.
• While holding the display and upper case together with your left hand, remove the 6 mm Torx screw from the lower display bracket.
Step 13
• Be sure to hold the display and upper case together with your left hand. Failure to do so may cause the freed display/upper case to fall, potentially damaging each component.
• Remove the last remaining 6 mm Torx screw securing the display to the upper case.
Step 14
• Grab the upper case with your right hand and rotate it slightly toward the top of the display so the upper display bracket clears the edge of the upper case.
• Rotate the display slightly away from the upper case.
• Lift the display away from the upper case, minding any brackets or cables that may get caught.
Step 15 Clutch Cover
• Grab the clutch cover as shown and slide it toward the right side of the display.
• It should move about 1/4" and stop. Don't force it beyond this point.
Step 16
• Gently rock the clutch cover back and forth on its long axis while pulling it away from the display.
• Do this action along the length of the clutch cover until you can lift it off the framework attaching it to the display.
Step 17
• Remove the clutch cover from the display.
Step 18 AirPort Connectors
• Use the tip of a spudger to pry both AirPort antenna connectors out of their sockets on the AirPort board.
• Be careful not to break the sockets off the AirPort board.
Step 19 AirPort Card
• Remove the single 3 mm Phillips screw securing the AirPort card to the display nearest the AirPort antenna.
Step 20
• Remove the single 3.3 mm Phillips screw securing the camera cable retainer to the display.
Step 21
• Orient your display as shown and pull the black plastic camera cable retainer toward the right side of the display.
• Remove the camera cable retainer.
Step 22
• Carefully pull the camera cable connector toward the right side of the display and out of its socket on the AirPort card.
• When reattaching the AirPort Cable, make sure that the U-shaped notches on one side of the cable end are not visible (facing the card). If the cable is installed incorrectly, it will cause logic board damage.
Step 23
• Remove the remaining 3 mm Phillips screw securing the side of the AirPort card closest to the right clutch hinge.
Step 24
• Pull the AirPort card away from its heat sink and remove it from the display.
• Before installing a new AirPort card, be sure the thermal material on its surface is intact and aligned with the small heat sink on the display frame.

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Walter Galan

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