PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray Drive Replacement

Written By: Brett Hartt

Comments: 48

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

45 minutes - 1 hour

Introduction

Use this guide to replace a broken or faulty Blu-ray Drive in your PlayStation 3. This guide shows only how to replace the original style of Blu-ray drive, KEM-400.

Tools

Parts

Replacement KEM-400 Blue Ray Drive

Step 1

Use the tip of a spudger to remove the black rubber screw cover from the side of the PS3.
The screw cover may be underneath a warranty sticker. This sticker will change appearance, and show "VOID" after it has been removed.

Fake repair. Real fault: How to Delid and fix the Yellow Light of Death for good (NEC TOKIN Replacement) https://gbatemp.net/threads/how-to-delid...

Player - 12/12/20

Step 2

Remove the single 8.5 mm T10 Security Torx screw from the smart plate.

How to Delid and fix the Yellow Light of Death for good (NEC TOKIN Replacement) https://gbatemp.net/threads/how-to-delid...

Player - 12/12/20

I need a tork screw bracket / holder A/E/B/E01- MG and security torx screw for a CECH-AO1 do u guys sell these?

vuhx -

Step 3

Pull the smart plate toward the hard drive bay, then lift it off the body of the PS3.

How to Delid and fix the Yellow Light of Death for good (NEC TOKIN Replacement) https://gbatemp.net/threads/how-to-delid...

Player - 12/12/20

Step 4

Be sure to keep track of the small metal bracket loosely held in the top cover, if equipped.

That small metal bracket/socket set up looks completely different in the ps3 I'm working on. Model: CECHK01.

Any suggestions?

Marcus - 14/04/16

different in mine too, Model: CECHP01

Link Adrian - 15/05/20

mine does not have one at all

ian.downard01 - 12/11/20

1How to Delid and fix the Yellow Light of Death for good (NEC TOKIN Replacement) https://gbatemp.net/threads/how-to-delid...

Player - 12/12/20

Did not find in my CECHH01

Philippe Morin -

I don’t have this bracket, where I can get it ?

Paul Bidny -

Step 5

Remove the following seven screws:
Six 52 mm Phillips screws
One 30 mm Phillips screw

2 more smaller screws (don't know what size...small) just below the top middle screw and top right screw (in the picture). Look for the arrows...

E Goo -

can confirm, might be the backwards compatibles only

Jordan Giese - 19/12/20

after you remove the screws, you may have to push a tab to take the cover off if you meet resistance on one side of the cover. Here is a link to a video that explains it, saved me lots of trouble:

http://youtu.be/jZgekNsRB-A?t=1m54s

ericksi33 -

Thanks @ericksi33, this really helped me out.

hogurt -

1st attempt, fan loud. Ps3 lasted about 2 wks. 2nd attempt noticed very poor contact between heatsink & cpu,gpu when taking it apart. Research - Found a better way to apply thermal past. I personally disapprove of guide on this. A small bit about the size of a grain of rice in center of cpu is plenty. Clamp the heat sinks back on. Then take it apart & check contact area. Thermal paste should have spread to about the size of a quarter.(more is better. Less then a nickel size is poor contact) possibly weak clamps. Carefully applied pressure onto the cpu & gpu, pressing them into the heatsinks before clamping heatsink clamps on. Achieved greater then quarter sized thermal past spread. Fan silent in comparison & ps3 lasted about a yr. Rarely did I ever hear the fan go to high and get loud after that. About to begin my third fix on this same ps3. One of the first 80g backwards compatible. other then those notes and that this guide was for a different model ps3 (minor differences) I liked this guide. easy to follow.

brettgomes -

Although the battery is described as proprietary, it looks like it is the common CR2032 lithium coin battery that is used in calculators and some computers. I haven't had to replace mine but I suspect under the heatshrink cover is a battery holder which will allow the coin battery to be removed and replaced. Then wrap with electrical tape and reinstall.

RickP -

I tried this with the heatgun and it ruined my PS3. The CPU and GPU are NOW RUINED!!! It did not work for and made things worst!!! I sent it to a place to get reballed and they said the HEATGUN had overheated my processor and killed them!!! So think twice about doing this. Just because it is already broken, DON'T THINK YOU CAN'T MAKE IT WORST!

georgehollyoh - 22/06/14

Why would you try it with a heat gun, no were is it mentioned to do that

Phillip Pereira - 21/12/15

There are 2 additional screws to remove , front center and front left , just behind the already marked screws.

mikentc90 - 18/06/16

As mentioned and I’ll add so detail too. If you have a model with the card readers there are two more small screws that also need to be removed before moving on to the next step.

screech - 04/12/18

2How to Delid and fix the Yellow Light of Death for good (NEC TOKIN Replacement) https://gbatemp.net/threads/how-to-delid...

Player - 12/12/20

I felt more comfortable with #2 screwdrivers.

Philippe Morin -

Step 6

Lift the top cover from its rear edge and rotate it toward the front of the PS3.
Remove the top cover.
There is a plastic hook located in a hole on the top back right hand side corner. Carefully push the plastic hook a bit from the rear of the machine with a spudger to release the rear right of the casing.

Disconnect the memory card ribbon cable.

Tobias Stockmann - 02/05/16

The top would hardly budge on the left back corner and was stuck on the right back corner. There is a plastic hook that needs to be unfastened to lift the top off. It is located in a hole on the top back corner on the right hand side, so the corner straight across the on off button. Just gently push the plastic hook a bit front the rear of the machine with a spudger. It gives easily and the top will be free to lift off after that.

cornellg - 14/07/16

I can confirm on CECHH01.

Philippe Morin -

Some more details here as well.

The newer model without SACD support appears to have added that clip to the back right that needs to be pressed to release the top shell.

If equipped with the card reader you can either have to disconnect the ribbon cable or unclip the reader from the top shell after lifting it up to get finger or tool in there to push clip to side and release reader from top shell. Note: if you failed to remove the card reader screws in the previous step these clips can break.

screech - 04/12/18

The original 60GB with the CF card reader on the front has a button protruding out. This will make it difficult to remove the top. You need to unscrew the memory card reader so it can come out easily.

Brian Caines - 27/04/21

Wow, this needs more attention. This isn't explained in any disassembly guide I've seen. You also need to be cognizant of the card reader cable when you're lifting off the lid.

SolidSonicTH - 22/02/22

I didn't have trouble during disassembly, but reassembly was tough. I loosened the card reader screws by 1 turn and used a small gauge wire to lasso the button and ran it through the CF hole.

Carl Garner -

Step 7

Disconnect the Blu-ray power cable from the motherboard.
Pull the connector straight up and out of its socket.

I would add… “Be careful taking these type of connectors apart” …. its easy to pull the entire thing off the motherboard and rip pads !

The pulled pads can be replaced but its extra work you don’t need :-) and requires equipment and skill to do and cold require jumper wires.

asears - 13/04/19

Pull the cables gently, the plug will come out of the socket. The plug is encased by the socket.

A K - 17/08/19

That’s also what I did.

Philippe Morin -

My PS3 is the CECHL01 and I had to remove the PSU to get to the disk drive ribbon cable.

Benjamin Burden -

I mistakenly ripped the whole thing out... I do not know where to begin on repairing it.

Tom Gillis -

Step 8

Lift the Blu-ray drive from the edge nearest the power supply and rotate it away from the chassis enough to access its ribbon cable.

Step 9

Use your fingernail to flip up the retaining flap on the Blu-ray ribbon cable socket.
Be sure you are prying up on the retaining flap, not the socket itself.
Pull the ribbon cable out of its socket.
Remove the Blu-ray drive from the PS3.
If replacing the Blu-ray drive, transfer the power cable to your new drive.

Not all systems look like this, some have tape instead of the flap.

gatewaynomad -

Every system that I have seen has had the ZIF connector, while some had tape over the connection as well. If your connectors are taped, be sure to remove the tape, then proceed with undoing the ZIF connector.

Brett Hartt -

The version 2 systems baseboard PCB started switching to the new narrow 24 pin ZIF header/ribbon and Blu-Ray drive connection.

You should not attempt to detach the taped ribbon cable from the drive end first as described above for the older wide 60 pin ribbons. You must remove the drive and ribbon as one unit to protect the fragile ZIF sockets.

The slimmer fragile ribbon is taped to the drive housing to afford a more secure ZIF connection. The opposite base connection is slightly under the PSU.

continued

shadetree -

From continued

One should firstly remove the PSU: Disconnect the drive power cable as described above. Unscrew the 5 (3-P1 2-P2) PSU mounting screws. Now leaving the power cables attached, lift the PSU off the power baseboard PCB pins and move over slightly to access the baseboard drive cable end ZIF. Release the ZIF latch and slide the entire (drive and ribbon) strait away from the baseboard ZIF to disconnect.

After the complete drive/ribbon removal, you can carefully remove the restraining tape on the bottom of the drive to release the ribbon ZIF, then remove the 24 pin ribbon from the drive logic PCB.

Install in reverse order making sure to add new tape to secure the ribbon to the drive.

shadetree -

I needed to remove the PSO completely to reach the baseboard drive cable end ZIF. To do that disconnect the power and data (I assume) cables and then pull the unit straight up. To longish prongs are heading straight up into it from the baseboard and it is a bit tight, so gently pull until it's clear.

cornellg - 14/07/16

If you are replacing the Blu-ray drive, you must use the same daughterboard that came with your PlayStation 3. The daughterboard is paired to the motherboard, and the Blu-ray drive will not work with a different board. -------------- I understand however my daughterboard is not on the bottom of the blu-ray drive it must be on the inside. Is there any advice out there on how I go about doing this as I am not sure what I am doing???? If someone could post a link or any tips it would be greatly appreciated.

jimmy - 26/01/15

When I received my new drive there was a sheet that said you could keep the old boards but you have to 'flash' them with the ps3's digital information. Currently trying to figure out how.....

Cheffy - 29/05/16

My CECHH01 has its blu-ray drive encased in a shield plate. Only one ribbon cable is visible. (The one we have to disconnect). Mine had some tape over it.

Also, I used a spudger instead of my nails.

Philippe Morin -

Step 10

Using your fingernail, lift the flap on the ZIF connector holding the Blu-ray lens motor cable to the Blu-ray control daughterboard.
Pull the ribbon cable straight away from its socket on the daughterboard.

Step 11

Using your fingernail, lift the flap on the ZIF connector holding the Blu-ray lens Data cable to the Blu-ray control daughterboard.
Pull the ribbon cable straight away from its socket on the daughterboard.

Step 12

Using your fingernail, lift the flap on the ZIF connector holding the Blu-ray drive motor cable to the Blu-ray control daughterboard.
Pull the ribbon cable straight away from its socket on the daughterboard.

Step 13

Using your fingernail, lift the flap on the ZIF connector holding the Blu-ray IR sensor cable to the Blu-ray control daughterboard.
Pull the ribbon cable straight away from its socket on the daughterboard.

Step 14

Remove the five 8.4mm phillips screws securing the Blu-ray control board to the Blu-ray drive.
Be sure to also remove the metal ground springs from under the screws in the corners.

Step 15

Carefully lift the daughterboard from the rear edge.
Slide the daughterboard out from under the top case.
Do not try to remove the daughterboard yet, as it is still connected by a cable on the underside of the board.

Gibt es ne möglichkeit die neue platine anzulernen

Ultrageil Official -

Step 16

Carefully turn the daughterboard over, making sure to not tear the attached cable.
Pull the IR Sensor cable straight away from its socket on the board.
Be sure that you are not pulling on the cables as you remove the plug from its socket.
Blu-Ray drive remains.
If you are replacing the Blu-ray drive, you must use the same daughterboard that came with your PlayStation 3. The daughterboard is paired to the motherboard, and the Blu-ray drive will not work with a different board.

Conclusion

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

Author

Brett Hartt

Member since: 13/04/10

127749 Reputation

5 comments

Is there a thermal pad replacement for the bond between the Optical Drive and the metal housing of around the motherboard? I can play Borderlands for hours, but if I use a disc based game or one with more intensive graphics the overheat light comes on. I’m thinking of reapplying the thermal paste with the squish method as well. Already by replacing the thermal pads (some were missing or just like clay) has reduced the fan noise. Any suggestions? The thermal pad currently is also claylike.

Canis Lupis - 03/05/19

The IR sensor cable broke ; how to fix it?

Ginny - 28/09/19

Id probably just buy a new disc drive for the ps3 fat, you can find them on sites like amazon and eBay for reasonable prices

John Doe -

I have a CECHC04 that does not accept discs. If i replace the BD drive with another one from a CECHC03 will it work, or do i have to keep my original daughterboard as well? What if my problem is the daughterboard?

Charalambos Hanni -

I got everything re hooked up but when I insert my disc , it won't suck it in. is that normal or do I have my wires crossed?

Kelly Anaya -