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Apple iPod Gen 3 Repair Guide
**Gen 3 iPods have the row of 4 function buttons above the clickwheel. If your iPod does not look like this, it is not a Gen 3.
3rd Generation iPod Disassembly/Reassembly Instructions:
Disassembled Components:
Tools required: The only tools required are a set of small flathead and Phillips screwdrivers like those used in eyeglass repair. There are special case opening tools and motherboard screw tools available but not really necessary if you have a set of small screwdrivers.
Getting started:
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Before starting, we want to emphasize patience. This is not rocket science but you do need to read the instructions and take your time with each step. For someone doing this for the 1st time, the entire process to completely take an iPod apart and reassemble it will take the 20-30 Minutes. Allow plenty of time and take it slow because if you rush disconnecting a part to save a minute it could cost you $50-$100 for a replacement.
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These instructions give the sequence for complete assembly and reassembly. Normally you will not need to follow all of the steps. For example, if you are just replacing the drive or the headphone jack you will not need to remove the motherboard.
Overview of complete disassembly and reassembly:
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Open case.
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2.Remove drive from drive cable.
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Remove the headphone jack connector from the motherboard. (If Necessary)
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Remove drive cable from motherboard.
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5.Disconnect Motherboard/Case connector cable.6.Disconnect Battery.
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Remove Motherboard.8.Remove LCD Screen.
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Reassemble by reversing the steps above.
Step 1 Open Case
Caution: Read these precautionary notes before starting any work:
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First, make sure you are holding the case with your palm away from the back so that if the screw driver slips you will not stab yourself. Take it slow and try not to let the screwdriver slip out of the seam. If it does, it may scratch your case.
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I recommend always pointing the screwdriver angled slightly towards the back of the iPod. This will help to work it under the metal edge, plus if it slips it will only scratch the back and not the front of the iPod.
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To prevent bending the case the second screw driver that is actually going to pry the case open, must be positioned straight across from the Apple symbol so that you avoid getting between the back case reinforcement tabs. The tabs run along the case spaced about every ½. Position the larger screwdriver in the gap between the reinforcement tabs.
Note: Read all steps to opening the case before starting:
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Take the smallest flathead screw driver with as thin of a blade as possible and line it up with the iPod letters on the back of the case. Slowly slide it up the seam towards the iPod symbol until it slips into the seam. Sometimes it slips right into the seam, and other times it will take a little pressure.
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Once you have the screwdriver over the lip, gently pry the metal back case up from the front plastic case. It will eventually snap free on this side. Sometimes the entire case will be free but usually you still have to pry around the bottom edge to get the other side free. Just make sure you dont insert the screwdriver in further than the plastic lip.
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If you are only replacing the drive you do not need to disconnect the headphone jack from the motherboard so go on to step #2.
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If you are replacing the headphone jack, motherboard or the LCD screen it is easier to disconnect the headphone jack, step #3, first and then come back to step #2. Either sequence will work.
Step 2 Remove the Hard Drive:
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Grasp the copper pin connector in one had and the hard drive in the other and gently pull the drive down and it will slip off of the connector.
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If you are just doing a drive replacement, align the new drive with the oblong plastic guide post on the pin connector and push it onto the pins. If it is properly aligned it should slip right on. If it doesnt want to go on, recheck your alignment. Once you have it started on the pins, push it all the way snug against the connector.
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Reposition the back case being careful not to pinch the headphone jack connector and snap it onto the front case. Reboot and the iPod should start up. If not, follow the instructions that came with your drive (If you purchased it from us) and run the Updater program.
Step 3 Remove the Headphone Jack connector from the Motherboard:
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You can use the tip of the screwdriver as shown to get it started but just make sure you lift it in small increments moving from side to side so that it comes out evenly.
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The headphone jack is also attached to the back case with adhesive so to get it free you need to start with the edge furthest away from the connector and slowly lift it away from the back case until it is totally free from the case.
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To reinstall, reposition the new headphone jack aligned with the case cutouts, tighten down the screws until it is seated and push the connector back into the motherboard.
Step 4 Remove the Drive Cable from the Motherboard ( If Necessary):
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If you need to replace the hard drive to motherboard connector, then follow the instructions below. If you are not replacing the hard drive connector, then it can be left attached to the motherboard and you can proceed to step #5.
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The hard drive to motherboard connector has a snap in connection located towards the top/right of the connector. It is underneath the connector so you basically have to remove this blind, but it is not too difficult. Grasp the top/right corner of the copper pin connector and gently lift up away from the motherboard until it snaps loose.
Step 5 Disconnect Motherboard to Case Connector Cable
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To proceed with removal of the motherboard, the next step is to remove the cable that connects the front case to the motherboard. If you did not remove the hard drive connector in step #4, then just lift it up to expose the motherboard to case connector. This is also a snap in connector. Grasp the edge and gently pull up until it releases.
Step 6 Disconnect Battery:
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Do not pull on the wires. The battery wires are normally tucked under the motherboard so it is best to wait until the motherboard has been removed and then remove the battery.
Step 7 Remove the Motherboard:
Step 8 Remove the LCD:
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The final step is to remove the LCD. With the motherboard out the LCD is laying loose in the faceplate, just held in by the side guides. Put your hand behind it and flip the case over so it falls loose into your hand. The LCD cable is still attached to the facplate at this point.
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Pinch the cable in you fingers as close as possible to the connection to the faceplate and gently lift up evenly to un-snap it from the connector.
That's it! You have now completely disassembled your iPod.
Re-Assembly Sequence:
Snap the LCD screen cable to the faceplate connection and lay the LCD positioned between the guide posts on the faceplate.
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Lay the battery in position on the faceplate aligned with the cutout in the motherboard.
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3.Lay the motherboard back in the faceplate and line up the screw holes and reinstall the 6 screws. Reconnect the battery connector to the motherboard.
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5.Reconnect the drive connector to the motherboard if this was removed during disassembly above.
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6.Replace the headphone jack by aligning the hold switch on the motherboard with the slide on the case. Also align the jack receptacle with the cutout in the case. Reattach the 3 screws that hold the headphone jack to the case. Reconnect the connector to the motherboard.
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8.To close the case, carefully align it with the faceplate assembly. Make sure that the headphone jack cable is inside the case and does not get pinched during closing. Once everything is aligned, just snap the front and back case together.
Now reboot your iPod and it should start right up. If it doesn't, check out our FREE iPod Testing! We would be happy to take a look at your iPod!
Thanks for visiting www.iPodpartsonline.com! If you have any questions about repairing your iPod or suggestions on improving our website, please email us at iPodparts@hotmail.com.
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