iPhone 3GS Logic Board Replacement

Written By: Ben Eisenman

Comments: 8

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

No estimate

Introduction

The motherboard of your iPhone controls everything in the iPhone.

Tools

Step 1

If your display glass is cracked, keep further breakage contained and prevent bodily harm during your repair by taping the glass.
Lay overlapping strips of clear packing tape over the iPhone's display until the whole face is covered.
This will keep glass shards contained and provide structural integrity when prying and lifting the display.
Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from any glass shaken free during the repair.

Step 2

Remove the two Phillips #00 screws from the dock-connector end of the iPhone.

Step 3

Remove the metal handle from the suction cup. It's easier and safer to grip the suction cup's base instead of the metal handle.
Be very careful when opening the iPhone so that the cables under the display are not severed.
There is a rubber gasket between the silver front bezel and black display assembly. A bit of force is required in this step to separate the iPhone's display assembly.
Use a small suction cup near the Home button to gently pull up the bottom portion of the iPhone's display assembly.
If the display assembly is too damaged to allow the suction cup to adhere, tape with a strong adhesive such as duct tape, or thick, clear packing tape may be used.

Step 4

The display assembly is still connected to the iPhone by several cables, so don't try to remove it entirely just yet.
Rotate the display assembly up until it is at an angle of approximately 45 degrees.

Step 5

Continue to hold the display assembly with one hand, and use your other hand and a spudger to disconnect the black ribbon cable labeled "1."

Step 6

Rotate the display assembly up until it is roughly vertical. This will allow easier access for disconnecting the remaining cables.
Use a spudger to disconnect the black ribbon cable labeled "2."

Step 7

Use a spudger to flip up the white plastic tab holding the remaining ribbon cable in place. The white tab will rotate up 90 degrees, releasing the ribbon cable.
Slide the black ribbon cable out of its connector, and remove the display assembly from the iPhone.

Is there a way of replacing the connector?

i have torn the top of the connector......... would that be the reason that the iPhone would not start even though the ribbon is in the connector and fastened secured with the white plastic tab is down.

Vishal Vaidya -

I HAVE DONE IT. SO THANK YOU GUYS.

Quote from Vishal Vaidya:

Is there a way of replacing the connector? i have torn the top of the connector......... would that be the reason that the iPhone would not start even though the ribbon is in the connector and fastened secured with the white plastic tab is down.

Vishal Vaidya -

Quote from Vishal Vaidya:

I HAVE DONE IT. SO THANK YOU GUYS.

HOW? My device display doesn't turns on (

denyem -

Make sure that the battery is charged up as the battery drains while the phone is off - i had this. And also the step 6 is very tricky while opening and while closing. make sure you have fixed all the tabs to their connectors. Also I got frustrated when my display didnt turn ON but I gave 24hours till i did anything so i cooled down-and next day I did it.

Quote from denyem:

HOW? My device display doesn't turns on (

Vishal Vaidya -

everything well up to when me and' jumped the white tongue of the lock connector, as can I make up for?

fanfulla69 -

Step 8

Insert your SIM eject tool or a paper clip into the hole next to the headphone jack.
Press down on the tool until the SIM card tray pops out.
Grasp the SIM card tray and slide it out of the iPhone.

Step 9

Use a spudger to disconnect the ribbon cable labeled "4."

Step 10

Use a spudger to disconnect the ribbon cable labeled "5."

Step 11

Use a spudger to disconnect the ribbon cable labeled "6."
If you have an iPhone 3GS, refer to picture 2 and use a spudger to disconnect the ribbon cable labeled "7."

what is the ribbon #6?

Mani Ahmadi - 08/08/15

Step 12

Carefully peel up the small sticker labeled "Do not remove."

Il y a un risque de détruire l’autocollant : plus il est vieux, mieux la colle tient… J’ai eu du mal à l’enlever et j’ai dû le gratter. Mais ça n’a pas l’air d’être un souci si vous l’abîmez

JB Amade - 14/12/18

Step 13

Remove the following 8 screws:
Five 2.3 mm Phillips #00 screws with partial threads securing the logic board to the rear panel.
Two 2.3 mm Phillips #00 screws with full threads securing the logic board and camera.
One 2.9 mm Phillips #00 screw from beneath the "Do not remove" sticker.

Should be Philips #000

tornqvist -

Step 14

Use a spudger to gently remove the camera retaining clip, (formerly secured by the removed screw) and gently pry the camera up and out of its housing in the rear panel. The camera cannot be removed entirely yet because it's connected to the bottom of the logic board.

Step 15

Use a spudger to gently pry up the end of the logic board closest to the dock connector.
If the board won't lift up, double check to make sure all the screws securing the logic board have been removed.