iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Logic Board Assembly Replacement

Written By: Adam O'Camb
  • Comments: 1
iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017) Logic Board Assembly Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

15

Time Required

No estimate

Introduction

Prerequisite only guide for removing the logic board assembly from a 21.5" Retina 4K 2017 iMac.

  1. EVkS45CkS3Iu2YNC
    EVkS45CkS3Iu2YNC
    ZuQBSSUCOuYQLd2f

    • Gently pull the left speaker cable straight out of its socket on the logic board.

  2. TtGDfsaQYGANmgGx

    • De-route the left speaker cable by pulling it straight up out of the retaining clip in the back of the rear enclosure.

  3. wEDdKtKTxmGuxDDe
    wEDdKtKTxmGuxDDe
    LhH4UTiMVnoWq1cU

    • Similarly to the previous step, de-route the SATA and power cables by pulling the braid straight up out of the retaining clip.

  4. cGGPcPVZPPf1I1gP
    cGGPcPVZPPf1I1gP
    yAhJLP1k6kZTKoKU

    • Peel up the piece of tape connecting the left speaker connector to the SATA power and data cables.

  5. VrbphVEAwWZ3NNVM
    VrbphVEAwWZ3NNVM
    Hi2DlRHisyTvoi3i
    L5GnIYiW3ZgYpm5j

    • Flip up the metal retaining bracket on the FaceTime camera cable connector.

    • Pull the FaceTime camera cable straight out of its socket on the logic board.

    • This is a delicate connector that can be easily damaged.

  6. NMwtLbwURqmiS1Hd

    • Remove the two 4.0 mm T5 Torx screws securing the four antenna connectors to the AirPort/Bluetooth card.

  7. XW6dGXe3rUDVpHTU
    XW6dGXe3rUDVpHTU
    gBm6OrrXMZBEI4RV
    Gf5TshqSeHY1uE1Q

    • Disconnect all four antenna connectors by prying them straight up from their sockets on the AirPort/Bluetooth card.

  8. VjRAN1ZSm2PTQFw2
    VjRAN1ZSm2PTQFw2
    etMu3QOg1kFDRrsO

    • Gently pull the right speaker cable connector straight down and out of its socket on the logic board.

  9. 31WuMhdQcAf5APg3
    31WuMhdQcAf5APg3
    dCl6CHaWFVXjjCLA
    N4GNGjHeFoe3MXIP

    • Use the flat edge of a spudger to pry the headphone jack cable connector from its socket on the logic board.

    • Push the cable slightly to the right.

  10. 6PJQlAZBpAr2tOWS

    • Peel off the tape covering the exhaust duct.

  11. rFBrptATbIgcfcFT

    • Remove the following T8 Torx screws securing the exhaust duct to the rear enclosure:

    • Two 6.2 mm screws

    • Two 4.7 mm screws

  12. A6CN4kk2Qb3xm2d2
    A6CN4kk2Qb3xm2d2
    NQjsgCaEhcs4JNUf
    axtbr4ZFFH2Dapl1

    • Use the tip of a spudger to flip open the retaining flap on the microphone ribbon cable ZIF socket.

    • Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, not the socket itself.

    • Gently pull the microphone ribbon cable straight out of its socket.

  13. OEFFfMmlYkoJFsIW

    • Remove the four 7.3 mm T8 Torx screws securing the logic board to the rear enclosure.

  14. PINibihZhYFctKKx
    PINibihZhYFctKKx
    WSFDY3xp5IlAHndQ
    5RW2UJpNmpORTns1

    • Tilt the top of the logic board away from the rear enclosure.

    • As you tilt the logic board, pull the right speaker connector to the right and out of the way of the board.

    • Lift the logic board straight up and out of the iMac.

    • Be careful not to snag the board on any of the rear enclosure's screw posts.

    When repairing, I accidentally broke a small piece of what it seems to be a resistor. Mac still works fine and diagnostics reports no errors. Be careful when removing the mother carefully so it doesn’t hit the aluminium cover.

    Andres Urena -

  15. RqyaGT5MCfOASZyQ
    RqyaGT5MCfOASZyQ
    m2Rw1kh5RHbuF4JV

    • When reassembling your iMac, be very careful to align the exterior I/O ports correctly. The logic board can sit crooked even when secured with all its screws.

    • Use a USB flash drive and/or ethernet cable to keep the logic board seated correctly while you tighten the screws.

Conclusion

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

Author

Adam O'Camb

Member since: 11/04/15

178568 Reputation

0 comments