ipodpartsonline iPod Mini Repair Guide

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Apple iPod Mini Repair Guide

(Gen.1 or Gen. 2)

Mini iPod Disassembly/Reassembly Instructions:

Disassembled Components:

iPod Mini Repair Parts

Mini iPod Disassembly/Reassembly Instructions:

Getting started

iPod Repair Tools

•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.

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.

•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.

•Even if you are replacing the LCD screen which requires complete disassembly, you can skip removing the headphone jack because this step is are not required to get to the LCD. The steps required for your part replacement will probably be obvious.

Overview of complete disassembly and re-assembly:

Remove the bottom plastic cap.
Remove the bottom spring clip.
3.
Disconnect the clickwheel connector from the motherboard.
4.Remove the clickwheel.
5.Remove the top plastic cap.
6.Remove the screws that attach the headphone jack to the case.
Remove the entire motherboard assembly including the Headphone Jack, LCD Screen, Hard Drive and Battery.
8.Disconnect battery.
9.Disconnect drive.
10.Disconnect LCD.
11.Disconnect headphone jack.

Step 1 – Remove the bottom plastic cap:

To start the diassembly of your iPod Mini, the first step is to remove the bottom plastic cap. Take small flatheat screw driver and insert it between the cap and case about in the middle on the back side of the iPod.

•Gently work it under the edge and begin prying the cap up.

Take this slow and it will come off without breaking any of the plastic prongs.

•It is glued in place but will come up if you use slow gentle pressure.

Step 2 – Remove metal spring clip:

•With cap off you will see the metal spring clip. Pick the end away from the clickwheel connector and use the end of the flathead screwdriver to pry one side up. The edges of the metal clip are seated in small grooves in the side of the case and must be released from the grooves to get the clip out. Do the same on the other side.

•

•Now grip the exposed end and lift and pull at the same time away from the clickwheel connector. This will take a little force to get it to release.

Step 3 – Disconnect the Clickwheel connector from the Motherboard:

Now we are at the first really delicate step.

Caution: Many clickwheels are ruined by damaging the connector while trying to remove it from the motherboard. Take your time with this. Us either your figure nails or the tip of the screwdriver to gently rock on one side and then the other on the flat spot on top of the connector. This will usually take 10 to 20 times to work it loose but the plastic connector is fragile and trying to force it will usually break it.

iPod Mini Removing Clickwheel Connector

Step 4 – Remove the Clickwheel:

To remove the clickwheel, use one hand to take the small screwdriver and lift up the metal clip to release the clickwheel and use the other hand to push the clickwheel first down below the edge of the case and then out towards the bottom of the iPod. When it is time to reinstall the clickwheel, just line it up on the metal tracks and push it in while pushing down on the clickwheel. During both removal and reassembly you should try to hold the clickwheel buttons down while it is sliding in and out to minimize scratching the surface of the wheel.

Step 5 – Remove the top plastic cap:

•The next step is to remove the top plastic cap. Use the small screwdriver to get under the edge near the center on the back edge.

Caution: Be careful that you do not go in too far and get under the metal plate that is the top of the headphone jack. If you pry up on this, you will probably damage the headphone and motherboard so make sure you are only lifting the plastic cap.

Slowly pry the cap up and work it loose similar to the way the lower cap came off. Take you time so that you do not crack the plastic.

Step 6 – Remove the screws that attach the Headphone Jack to the case:

•Once the cap is off you will see two Phillips head screws, one on each side. Remove the two screws.

iPod Mini Head Phone Jack

Step 7 – Remove the entire Motherboard assemble including the Headphone Jack, LCD, Hard Drive, and Battery:

Now you can remove the rest of the components from the case.

•

•Push against the bottom edge of the motherboard and push it out the top. The edge of the motherboard is hard plastic and is OK to push against as long as you just use the bottom edge. This will slide right out unless the top of the iPod case it damaged.

•

•If the iPod has been dropped the top edge may be bent just enough to keep the motherboard from sliding out easily. In that case you may have to use the tip of the screwdriver to help lift the top metal plate over the bent area of the case.

iPod Mini Remove Components

Step 8 – Disconnect the Battery:

With the motherboard out, the next item to remove is the battery.•
Lift it off of the motherboard and lay it out to the side so you can get at the connector. Work the connector loose. Use the plastic lip of the connector, do not pull on the wires.

This connector can be a little difficult to work loose so just like with the Clickwheel, take your time and slowly work it loose.

Step 9 – Disconnect the Hard Drive:

The Hard Drive is attached to the Motherboard with a cable with a snap connection that is exposed once the battery is removed.

•To remove the drive, lift it up in your hand and pinch the cable as close to the motherboard as you can and then gently lift up. It should un-snap without too much force.

Step 10 – Disconnect the LCD Screen:

•To remove the LCD, first unclamp the connector clamp. Lift the flat bar on the connector clamp until it is open, it will be at about 45 degrees to the motherboard in the open position.

•

•Note: To close it after the LCD cable has been reinstalled, push it back down flat and it should lock in place.

iPod Mini Removing LCD Screen

•After the cable connector is open you need to release the four white plastic corner tabs on the LCD from the motherboard.

iPod Mini Removing Motherboard Tabs

•Once the four tabs have been release the LCD cable should slip easily out of the clamp. If it does not, double check and make sure the clamp bar is in the up position.

iPod Mini Removing LCD Screen

Step 11 – Remove the Headphone Jack:

The Headphone Jack is attached to the Motherboard with a push in connector located where the screwdriver is pointing.
•

•Note: Do not use a screwdriver on this because it is fragile.

•

•This best way to get it off without damage is to loosen the 4 screws that hold the top plate onto the Headphone Jack. You can only see two of them in the picture, the other two are on the bottom.

•

•With the plate off, grasp the Jack right over the connector and gently rock it back and forth until it comes loose.

•Once the Jack is loose from the Motherboard, reattach the plate.

•This picture shows the Headphone Jack removed. You can now see the male fitting on the Jack and the female fitting on the Motherboard.

iPod Mini Removing Head Phone Jack

Re-Assembly Sequence:

You now have now fully disassembled your Mini. The re-assembly is basically just reversing each step:

1.Insert the Headphone Jack male connector into the female connector on the Motherboard.
Insert the LCD cable into the cable clamp and close the clamp bar. Snap the LCD to the Motherboard.
3.Reattach the snap connector for the Hard Drive to the Motherboard.
4.Reattach the Battery connector to the Motherboard. Lay the Battery back in position on the Motherboard, next to the drive.
5.Slide the entire Motherboard assembly into the case. Align below the Clickwheel metal guides.
6.Connect the Motherboard assembly to the case with the two screws in the top plate.
7.Attach the plastic top plate. Make sure the hold switch on the plate is in the same position as the hold switch on the motherboard. Snap the top plate into the case.
8.Reinstall the Clickwheel by aligning it on top of the metal guides. Hold the buttons down while at the same time sliding the Clickwheel back into the case. Reattach the Clickwheel connector to the Motherboard.
9.Reinstall the metal spring clip with the 4 ears positioned in the small grooves in the side of the case.
10.Attach the plastic bottom plate in position over the charger connection and snap into the case.

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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