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iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement

Introduction

Replacing the logic board assembly gives you new flash memory as well as a new battery.

What you need

  1. iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement, Glass Panel: step 1, image 1 of 2 iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement, Glass Panel: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • Insert the edge of an iPod opening tool into the gap between the outer case and the top bezel.

    • Pry the top bezel off the adhesive securing it to the display retainer.

    • At this point the hold switch slider is free and may fall. Be careful not to lose it.

    Edit

  2. iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the hold switch slider from the top of the Nano.

    Edit

  3. iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the two angled Phillips screws from the two corners of the display retainer.

    • These screw heads are extremely small and easily stripped.

    Edit

  4. iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Insert an iPod opening tool between the outer case and the display retainer.

    • Use the tool to slide the display assembly out of the case slightly.

    • Do not rotate the display retainer about the top edge of the display, as it is attached to a thin steel bracket that is easily broken.

    • Do not forcefully remove the display retainer, as the hold switch cable is liable to snap.

    Edit

  5. iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Slide the display out of the Nano. It will move about .5" until the display data cable limits its travel.

    • Do not put unnecessary tension on the very thin display data cable.

    Edit

  6. iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • With the display pulled out of the case as much as possible, gently press on the lower edge of the glass panel until it pops in slightly (~1 mm).

    • Use your thumbs on the lower edge of the glass panel to slide the glass down and into the case until the top edge pops up out of the case.

    Edit

  7. iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the glass panel out of the Nano.

    • Before reinstalling the glass panel, be sure to clean the face of the display and the inside of the panel as any dust or fingerprints will be annoyingly visible when the Nano is turned on.

    Edit

  9. iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement, Display: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Use the edge of an iPod opening tool to separate the hold switch from the adhesive securing it to the top edge of the display.

    • The hold switch ribbon cable is extremely fragile and easily broken. Work gently.

    Edit

  10. iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Peel back the Kapton tape covering the display data cable socket.

    Edit

  11. iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1

    • While holding the light colored socket down with one finger, use the tip of a spudger to flip the ZIF cable lock up toward the bottom of the Nano.

    Edit

  12. iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 1

    • Use an iPod opening tool to peel the display data cable off the thin metal plate attached to the display.

    • Be careful not to rip the display data cable.

    Edit

  13. iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 1

    • Pull the display out of the Nano, minding the hold switch cable that may get caught.

    • As you pull the display out of the case, be careful not to break the hold switch cable.

    Edit

  14. iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement, Logic Board Assembly: step 13, image 1 of 2 iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement, Logic Board Assembly: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • Insert an iPod opening tool between the bottom bezel and the dock connector.

    • Separate the bottom bezel from the adhesive securing it to the Nano and set it aside.

    Edit

  15. iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the three Phillips screws along the bottom of the Nano.

    • These screw heads are extremely small and easily stripped.

    • The slightly longer of the three screws belongs in the middle.

    Edit

  16. iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 2 iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 2

    • Use an iPod opening tool to pry the aluminum dock bezel out of the Nano.

    • The dock bezel is very thin cast aluminum. To avoid breaking it, do not excessively flex it during removal.

    Edit

  17. iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 3 iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 3 iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement: step 16, image 3 of 3

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to separate the battery from the adhesive securing it to the outer case.

    • The lithium polymer battery used in the Nano is very flexible. Try not to deform it excessively while separating it from the outer case.

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to push the logic board assembly and battery slightly out of the bottom of the Nano. Stop once it pops out a little bit.

    Edit

  18. iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 1

    • Use the edge of an iPod opening tool to peel the click wheel ribbon cable and its ZIF socket off the dock connector.

    Edit

  19. iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 2 iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement: step 18, image 2 of 2

    • Use the edge of an iPod opening tool to flip the ZIF cable lock up toward the headphone jack.

    Edit

  20. iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 1

    • Use a pair of tweezers to slide the click wheel ribbon cable out of its socket.

    • Before proceeding, be sure that both the click wheel ribbon cable socket and its cable are freed from the adhesive securing them to the dock connector and logic board.

    • Peel back the cable on both ends!

    Edit

  21. iPod Nano 4th Generation Logic Board Assembly Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 1

    • Pull the logic board assembly out of the outer case, minding the hold switch and click wheel cables that may get caught.

    • When reassembling, ensure the click wheel cable is toward the front of the Nano and not in the grooves on the side. If it is in the groove you will probably cut it while sliding the logic board into place.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

37 other people completed this guide.

6 Comments

Wouldn't it be easier to open the ZIF socket whilst it is still stuck down?

Pete Green - Reply

On step 11 I found that the cable was still stuck down by the bit under the metal case. The opening tool failed to get at this.

I cut the live head off a match and trimmed it to a long chisel edge.

Pine is soft,strong and non conductive.I was able to poke under the metal body and release the remaining adhesive seal.

Pete Green - Reply

Failure. Another broken iPod due to the incompleteness of step 20. I will add a step 21 with description but I will need some nice looking pictures.

Gallomimia - Reply

TOOLS: I don't see any offset legs in the screws themselves, however either my 00 phillips is bigger than yours, or these screws are actually 000 phillips. In either case, I found that the heads were full of adhesive, and using a tiny flathead driver and a sharp knife I was able to clear it out just enough to get the screws out.

Gallomimia - Reply

Your instructions are excellent up to steps 17-19. Up to that point they are better than any other instructions I found on the internet, but sadly they are spoiled because you are missing a photo in steps 17-19 to show that the cable coming from the click wheel has to be disconnected and freed. Following a lot of user comments on step 19 you have added text and red warnings to warn the user to disconnect the click wheel cable, but your photos show the wrong cable coming from the logic board as being freed. You talk about freeing both ends of the cable, but there are TWO cables, one coming from the logic board (which is not important) and one coming from the click wheel (which has to be freed. A shame on an otherwise excellent set of instructions.

John beGood - Reply

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