MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Hard Drive/IR Sensor Cable Replacement

Written By: Walter Galan (and 4 other contributors)

Comments: 5
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Completions: 54

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

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MacBook Pro 15" Unibody (Mid 2009) Hard Drive Cable

$49.95

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Introduction

The hard drive cable also contains the IR sensor/sleep indicator.

Step 1 Lower Case

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Remove the following ten screws securing the lower case to the upper case:
- Seven 3 mm Phillips screws.
- Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.

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Step 2

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Image 1/1: Remove the lower case and set it aside.

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.

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Step 3 Battery

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Image 1/1: If you don't have a Pentalobe driver, a 1.5 mm flathead screwdriver can be used in a pinch. Be sure the head of your flathead screwdriver fits snugly across two of the five "points" of the screw head before trying to break the screw free, as a loose fit will easily strip the screw head. If the head of your screwdriver fits too loosely, find a bigger bit and file it down until it fits snugly before proceeding.

Three Pentalobe screws secure the battery to the upper case. They can be removed with this special driver.
If you don't have a Pentalobe driver, a 1.5 mm flathead screwdriver can be used in a pinch. Be sure the head of your flathead screwdriver fits snugly across two of the five "points" of the screw head before trying to break the screw free, as a loose fit will easily strip the screw head. If the head of your screwdriver fits too loosely, find a bigger bit and file it down until it fits snugly before proceeding.
You do not necessarily have to follow steps 3-7 to remove the battery in order to replace the hard drive. However, it is recommended to remove all power sources from electronics before working on them.

3 comments

It really depends on how thick the 1.5 mm flathead screwdriver is. I tried a low-cost tool and almost destroyed the screw. So be carefull

Paul - 02/18/2010 Reply

Unfortunately, when I added a second hard drive via these instructions, all went well but Bluetooth is now MIA. Can anyone help?

Peter Payne - 03/22/2010 Reply

I agree...

I have bought a used MacBook Pro, when problems arise, opening Corps was trying to turn the screw, but with poor quality could not turn a screwdriver, only to ruin the screw. Try to buy ifixit Screwdriver set. Good luck to all and thank you ifixit team for such assistance as ifixit.com. Thank you.

remjok - 04/04/2010 Reply

Step 4

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Remove the two exposed five-point Pentalobe screws along the top edge of the battery.

2 comments

The screws holding my battery were all worn out since an earlier removal. So instead of ruining them even more I put some saran wrap on the tip of my pentalobe driver and gently unscrewed them.

magnus - 10/16/2013 Reply

I have a problem with these screw. They a completly warn and I need some new ones to fix the new Battery.

Does anyone know which thread it is and which length?

alexanderleith - 11/30/2015 Reply

Step 5

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Use the tip of a spudger to bend back the finger of the "Warning: Do not remove the battery" sticker while you remove the five-point Pentalobe screw hidden underneath.

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Step 6

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Image 1/2: Do not try to completely remove the battery just yet.

Image 2/2: Do not try to completely remove the battery just yet.

Lift the battery by its plastic pull tab and slide it away from the long edge of the upper case.
Do not try to completely remove the battery just yet.

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Step 7

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Image 1/1: Pull the battery cable connector away from its socket on the logic board and remove the battery from the upper case.

Tilt the battery back enough to access the battery cable connector.
Pull the battery cable connector away from its socket on the logic board and remove the battery from the upper case.

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Step 8 Hard Drive

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Image 1/2: These screws are captive to the hard drive bracket.

Image 2/2: Lift the the retaining bracket out of the upper case.

Remove two Phillips screws securing the hard drive bracket to the upper case.
These screws are captive to the hard drive bracket.
Lift the the retaining bracket out of the upper case.

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Step 9

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Lift the hard drive by its pull tab and pull it out of the chassis, minding the cable attaching it to the computer.

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Step 10

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Remove the hard drive cable by pulling its connector straight away from the hard drive.

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Step 11 Hard Drive/IR Sensor Cable

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Remove the following four screws securing the hard drive and IR sensor cable to the upper case:
- Two 1.5 mm Phillips screws.
- Two 4 mm Phillips screws.

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Step 12

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Image 1/2: Carefully peel the hard drive and IR sensor cable from the upper case.

Image 2/2: Carefully peel the hard drive and IR sensor cable from the upper case.

Slide the hard drive and IR sensor bracket away from the edge of the upper case.
Carefully peel the hard drive and IR sensor cable from the upper case.

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Step 13

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Image 1/1: Lift the hard drive and IR sensor assembly out of the upper case.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the hard drive cable connector up off the logic board.
Lift the hard drive and IR sensor assembly out of the upper case.

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Step 14

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Image 1/3: Use the tip of a spudger to flip the ZIF connector on the hard drive cable.

Image 2/3: Gently pull the sensor bracket cable out of the ZIF connector.

Image 3/3: Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the hard drive cable up off the sensor bracket.

Your replacement part may or may not come with the front (sensor) bracket. If it does not, you'll need to transfer it to your new cable.
Use the tip of a spudger to flip the ZIF connector on the hard drive cable.
Gently pull the sensor bracket cable out of the ZIF connector.
Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the hard drive cable up off the sensor bracket.
Remove the adhesive backing from your new hard drive cable, stick it onto the sensor bracket, and connect the sensor bracket cable.