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Nintendo 3DS XL IR Board Replacement

Written By: Charlene Donlon (and 5 other contributors)
  • Comments: 51
  • Favorites: 6
  • Completions: 10

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

12

Time Required

15 minutes

Sections

3

Flags

0

Introduction

The guide will help take apart the Nintendo 3DS XL to uncover the motherboard, then identify the IR Board in order to be replaced.

  1. Loosen the two 4.2 mm-length screws located at the top of the back cover. The screws have locking washers that prevent the screws from falling off of the back cover. Leave these locking washers on the screws; it is not necessary to remove the washers for this repair guide.

    • Loosen the two 4.2 mm-length screws located at the top of the back cover.

    • The screws have locking washers that prevent the screws from falling off of the back cover. Leave these locking washers on the screws; it is not necessary to remove the washers for this repair guide.

    Edit

  2. Hold the device so that the cover is facing up. Using a plastic opening tool, pry off the cover starting at the top right corner.

    • Hold the device so that the cover is facing up.

    • Using a plastic opening tool, pry off the cover starting at the top right corner.

    • Hold the edge of the cover to ensure it does not reattach.

    • Look for the small section below the stylus compartment. Pry off the cover at that point if it is still attached.

    • Take off the cover of the device and set aside.

    Edit

  3. Insert the plastic opening tool into the opening located on the right side of the battery. Pry off the battery from the lower casing. Lift the battery out of the case and set aside.

    • Insert the plastic opening tool into the opening located on the right side of the battery.

    • Pry off the battery from the lower casing.

    • Lift the battery out of the case and set aside.

    Edit

  4. Using tweezers pull out the rubber bumpers that are located at the top of the device on either side of the game cartridge compartment. Using tweezers pull out the rubber bumpers that are located at the top of the device on either side of the game cartridge compartment.

    • Using tweezers pull out the rubber bumpers that are located at the top of the device on either side of the game cartridge compartment.

    Edit

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  6. Remove the six 6.2 mm screws using a Phillips #00 screwdriver Remove the six 6.2 mm screws using a Phillips #00 screwdriver

    • Remove the six 6.2 mm screws using a Phillips #00 screwdriver

    Edit

  7. Remove the 2.3 mm screw located above the game cartridge slot with a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

    • Remove the 2.3 mm screw located above the game cartridge slot with a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

    Edit

  8. Make sure the SD card has been removed. With a plastic opening tool pry off the lower case starting at the bottom edge and working around the perimeter. Two ribbon cables connect the case to the circuit board. Be careful to not pull the case too hard and rip the ribbon cables. Two ribbon cables connect the case to the circuit board. Be careful to not pull the case too hard and rip the ribbon cables.

    • Make sure the SD card has been removed. With a plastic opening tool pry off the lower case starting at the bottom edge and working around the perimeter.

    • Two ribbon cables connect the case to the circuit board. Be careful to not pull the case too hard and rip the ribbon cables.

    Edit

  9. Remove the ribbon cables located underneath the left and right bumpers by prying up the base of the cables with a plastic opening tool. Completely remove the lower case from the rest of the device and set aside. Completely remove the lower case from the rest of the device and set aside.

    • Remove the ribbon cables located underneath the left and right bumpers by prying up the base of the cables with a plastic opening tool.

    • Completely remove the lower case from the rest of the device and set aside.

    Edit

  10. Position the device such that the game cartridge slot is located at the top. Locate the circle pad on the right side of the device.

    • Position the device such that the game cartridge slot is located at the top.

    • Locate the circle pad on the right side of the device.

    • Remove the two 7.5 mm screws on the upper left and the bottom right corners.

    Edit

  11. Using a plastic opening tool pop off the circle pad joystick. Do not use excessive force with the plastic opening tool. There is a ribbon attaching the circle pad joystick to the motherboard that will remain attached.

    • Using a plastic opening tool pop off the circle pad joystick.

    • Do not use excessive force with the plastic opening tool. There is a ribbon attaching the circle pad joystick to the motherboard that will remain attached.

    • There is a loose washer located in between the circle pad joystick and the circle pad. Use caution and do not lose this piece.

    Edit

  12. Using the flat head side of the spudger carefully lift up the retaining flap that attaches the circle pad ribbon to the motherboard. Remove the ribbon and circle pad joystick.

    • Using the flat head side of the spudger carefully lift up the retaining flap that attaches the circle pad ribbon to the motherboard.

    • Remove the ribbon and circle pad joystick.

    Edit

  13. Position the device such that the game cartridge slot is located at the top. Locate the IR board located on the upper right side of the motherboard.

    • Position the device such that the game cartridge slot is located at the top.

    • Locate the IR board located on the upper right side of the motherboard.

    • The IR board is installed upside-down in these photos by mistake. Installing it this way will result in your DS failing to start. Note the orientation of your IR board before you remove it, and reinstall it the same way.

    • Remove the IR board with a plastic opening tool by inserting the tool below the IR board and gently prying up.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

10 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 5 other contributors

Charlene Donlon

Member since: 04/08/2014

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8 Guides authored

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Team

Cal Poly, Team 9-13, Regan Spring 2014 Member of Cal Poly, Team 9-13, Regan Spring 2014

CPSU-REGAN-S14S9G13

5 Members

21 Guides authored

2 Comments

Add a comment

This guide was really helpful, I had to teardown my 3DS to remove a rice crispy that was stuck in the SD card reader, I don't know how it got there, I wasn't even eating cereals

Tony The Tiger - Reply

was removing the analog stick really necessary?

8bitlooser - Reply

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