Logic Board Disconnection

Written By: Adam O'Camb

Comments: 16

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

No estimate

Introduction

Prerequisite-only guide to disconnect the logic board in a 2019 MacBook Air.

Tools

Step 1

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.4 mm screws securing the trackpad connector bracket.
Depending on the condition of your bits, a T4 Torx driver may fit better.
Remove the trackpad connector bracket.

My machine used T4 screws

johann beda -

Me too! I tried with T3 and it wasn’t working.

Rose Alshuaibi -

I stripped my screws trying to get them out with a t3 driver...

Aubrey Corcoran -

Step 2

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the trackpad cable connector up and out of its socket.

Step 3

If the left speaker is already disconnected, skip this step.
Slide the tip of a spudger underneath the left speaker cable and pry straight up to disconnect the speaker.
With the connector disconnected, slide the flat end of a spudger under the cable to separate the adhesive securing the cable to the logic board.

I think step 15 was a mistake because it’s a repeat of step 10.

Ryan R - 03/03/21

Yeah, the speaker is already removed at this point.

Jason _ - 20/04/21

Step 4

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.3 mm screws securing the USB-C port connector bracket.
Remove the USB-C connector bracket.

There is no need to remove the logic board!!

Skip steps 16 through 28 and go to step 29 to release the trackpad cable from the battery. then follow steps to 30 through 33 to release the battery. The battery can be removed by slipping it counter-clockwise under the trackpad cable. The new battery can be slipped in place in the same way.

Much easier!!

josephgray -

Agreed. Took me a minute to realize that I had to slide the top right screw bracket between the logic board and the case to get enough clearance for the rotation. Many thanks.

w98fxr -

Removing a few of the logic board screws allowed me to get the to right screw bracket under the logic board to give enough clearance as w98fxr mentioned.

johann beda -

Step 5

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the USB-C cable connector up and out of its socket on the logic board.

please reconsider removing the logic board and and usb-c connector as is recommended in the prior step. i had a very difficult time reconnecting the usb-c connector

Mario Obejas -

Step 6

Use a spudger to lift up the small locking flap on the sound board cable's ZIF connector.
Slide the sound board cable out of the ZIF connector.

Step 7

Peel back the black tape covering the fan cable connector.

Step 8

Use the tip of a spudger to lift up the locking flap on the fan cable's ZIF connector.
Slide the fan cable out of the ZIF connector.

There may not be a locking flap. If not, just pull the fan cable out of the ZIF connector.

rmilton -

Step 9

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.4 mm screws securing the antenna cable bracket.
Remove the antenna cable bracket.

These are T4 screws

Richard Arnett - 18/08/20

The MBA I just finished with were T3. I'm fairly confident with my tools as I recently updated/upgraded nearly my entire set with WiHa. I should also mention the many tools acquired from iFixit over the years have all been were exceptional lasting years. There's no doubt iFixit would have been my source but a close friend went to work for WiHa. His discount(s) & being motivated to help him was a major impact. For anyone not having such an advantage IMHO tools from iFixit are one of the best values anywhere. Let's not forget; buying from iFixit will also help to push "Right to Repair" forward. Here in Minnesota Right to repair ALMOST PASSED. Many believe it will become law during the next session! I can't tell you how proud this would make me. I would obtain as many service manuals as possible and post them all online!!! What a great dream...

admin -

Step 10

Insert the point of a spudger under one of the antenna cables close to the connector. Pry straight up to disconnect the cable.
Repeat for the other antenna cable.

Be SUPER SUPER CAREFUL pulling off the gold WiFi antenna connectors! As described, use the spludger to press up the black cable just behind the metal connector. I tried to ping them off from the bottom of the gold connector where it clips into the socket on the motherboard and ended up pulling off the SMD sockets from the motherboard - huge and costly mistake that will probably render it useless.

Neale Whyatt -

Step 11

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.5 mm screws securing the display cable connector bracket.
Remove the display cable connector bracket.

Step 12

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the display cable connector.

How do I reconnect display connector??

Kris Queck - 16/04/21

Just align the plug section of the display flex with the socket on the logic board and gently press it in until it locks in place. Do not force it but just ensure it’s correctly aligned before pushing it into the socket.

Peter Newman - 03/06/21

Pro tip: You can remove the two T5 screws on the LCD connector side (located to the right of the display connector and to the left of the heat shield). From there, tilt the whole skinny LCD board towards the logic board connector and gently pinch the connector in to the socket. Before laying the skinny board back down, screw in the shield from Step 15 so it doesn’t pop out of the socket again.

jason4 -

Conclusion

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

Author

Adam O'Camb

Member since: 11/04/15

195421 Reputation

Logic Board Disconnection

Introduction

Tools

0 comments