Game Boy Headphone Jack Replacement

Written By: Andrew Tramposch

Comments: 1

Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

Time Required

30 minutes

Introduction

This guide will illustrate how to install a new headphone jack on an original Game Boy system. You'll need to know how to solder for this replacement, so be sure to check out iFixit's soldering technique guide.

Tools

Step 1

Switch your Game Boy off and remove the cartridge.

Step 2

Use a fingernail (or small coin) to push down on the battery door latch and remove the battery door.
The release latch is a plastic spring clip. If your Game Boy is getting on in years, be careful as the plastic may be brittle.
When you're replacing the cover, be sure to get its two plastic tabs into the slots in the bottom of the battery compartment before pushing the cover back in place.

Step 3

Use a fingernail to pry each battery outward from the positive (+) terminal to remove them.
Dispose of used batteries properly!
Remove the batteries from your Game Boy before storing it for more than a month or so.

Step 4

Remove the six Triwing screws from the back of the device.

Step 5

Gently separate the device's front casing from the back casing after you remove the screws.
Be careful not to completely separate the casing halves, as they are still joined by a large ribbon cable that may be damaged.

Step 6

Slide the front side of the casing down to expose the ribbon cable connector.

Step 7

Grip the ribbon connector with your thumb and forefinger. Pull down gently until the connector, not the ribbon itself, comes out of its socket.
Separate the front and back casings.

Step 8

The headphone jack is located on the bottom of the rear outer casing, near the battery compartment.
Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the two screws holding the headphone jack in place.

Step 9

Once the headphone jack is detached it will dangle by the wires attached to the main circuit board. Do not worry about the connections, they are solid and will not break.
Use a Phillips#00 screwdriver to remove the two screws that hold the main circuit board to the casing. This will allow access to the connection points of the headphone jack.