Apple AirPort Extreme Model A1354 Logic Board Replacement

ID: 8886

Description: If all other troubleshooting options fail, you...

Steps:

  1. First start by peeling off the outer rubbery covering on the bottom of the device.
  2. CAUTION: This part is very fragile, so it is recommended that a blow dryer is used on the covering to heat it up. Simply blow dry the covering while slowly peeling it away, and the covering will not tear.
    3. Step image
  3. After removing the rubber covering, unscrew the five 4.9mm Phillips screws in the holes of the plastic casing.
    4. Step image
  4. After unscrewing all five screws, remove the plastic casing. The back should now look like the picture shown.
    5. Step image
  5. The inner metal casing is latched inside the outer white plastic shell, so insert a pry tool underneath the metal casing and pry it apart from the shell.
  6. It should make a click when it comes apart.
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  7. Remove the outer casing.
  8. The exposed logic board should look like this.
    9. Step image
  9. Take the device out of the casing and orient it so that you can see the WiFi card.
    10. Step image
  10. Wires come from the three antennas and connect on the outer edge of the WiFi card.
  11. Carefully pull up on the end of one of the wires to disconnect it from the motherboard.
  12. Do this for the remaining two wires.
    13. Step image
  13. There are two clips attached to the upper and lower ends of the WiFi card
  14. CAUTION: For the following step, do not pull the clip after you have detached it. The clip is fragile and too much force may cause the clip to break.
  15. Grab the end of one of the clips and pull away from the WiFi card. This should make the clip visibly detached from the WiFi card.
  16. Do the same for the other clip.
    17. Step image
  17. Grasp the upper and lower ends of the WiFi card.
  18. Carefully pull the WiFi card to the right.
  19. CAUTION: Do not pull UP (towards yourself) on the WiFi card when removing. The card is on a track that only allows it to move left and right. Forcing the card to move in other directions may result in breaking the track.
  20. Completely remove the WiFi card.
    21. Step image Step image
  21. Remove the metal casing by gently prying the logic board away with you hands.
  22. This should be pretty easy, you already removed the screws holding these pieces together.
    23. Step image
  23. Remove the battery by gently "shoving" it out with the plastic tool.
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  24. This is the "naked" logic board. You can order a new one and replace it by following the above steps in reverse order.
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