MacBook Air (13-inch, M3, 2024) Logic Board

Before You Begin

Warning

Read Battery Safety and follow workspace and battery handling guidelines before you begin.

Remove the following parts before you begin:

Tools

  • Adjustable torque driver (10–34 Ncm)

  • ESD-safe tweezers

  • I/O connector cowling tape

  • Nylon probe (black stick)

  • Torque driver (blue, 0.65 kgf cm)

  • Torx Plus 3IP 44 mm half-moon bit

  • Torx Plus 3IP 25 mm bit

  • Torx Plus 5IP 50 mm bit

Refer to a full list of tools required for all repairs.

Note: This procedure requires I/O connector cowling tape, which is included with a replacement logic board, but can also be ordered separately.

Caution

  • This procedure requires System Configuration. After you’ve completed all removal and reassembly steps, learn how to initiate the System Configuration process.

  • If you’re installing a replacement logic board, you must also install a replacement Touch ID board.

Removal

  1. Use the flat end of the black stick to lift the bottom right edge of the input/output (I/O) connector cowling tape.

  2. Use tweezers to peel the I/O connector cowling tape off the I/O connector cowling.

  3. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP 44 mm half-moon bit to remove seven 3IP screws (923-10367) from the following three cowlings:

    • Interposer board connector cowling (1)

    • I/O board connector cowling (2–5)

    • Trackpad connector cowling (6, 7)

  4. Use the black stick to push on the interposer board connector cowling as shown to remove it from the top case. Save the cowling for reassembly.

  5. Remove the I/O board connector cowling and save it for reassembly.

  6. Use the black stick to lift the ends of the following eight flex cables (1–8) off the connectors:

    • Interposer board flex cable (1)

    • Microphone flex cable (2)

    • Display flex cables (3, 4)

    • MagSafe 3 board flex cable (5)

    • USB-C board flex cables (6, 7)

    • Open/close (AMR) sensor flex cable (8)

  7. Lift the end of the trackpad flex cable off the connector.

  8. Use the 10–34 Ncm adjustable torque driver and 3IP 25 mm bit to remove the two 3IP screws (923-10366) from the heat sink.

  9. Use the adjustable torque driver and 5IP bit to remove the following seven 5IP screws from the logic board:

    • Two 5IP screws (923-10365) (1)

    • One 5IP screw (923-10364) (2)

    • One 5IP screw (923-10370) (3)

    • Two 5IP screws (923-10369) (4)

    • One 5IP screw (923-10368) (5)

  10. Hold the logic board by the edges to the left of the trackpad flex cable connector as shown. Tilt up the edge of the logic board closest to you until it clears the end of the battery flex cable (1). Then slide the logic board toward you until it clears the display and microphone flex cables (2).

    • Caution: Don’t hold the heat sink.

    • Caution: Use the black stick to move the flex cables out of the way as you remove the logic board.

Reassembly

  1. Hold the logic board by the edges to the left of the trackpad flex cable connector as shown. Tilt down the edge of the logic board closest to the display hinges. Then slide the logic board into the top case (1).

    • Caution:

      • Don't hold the heat sink.

      • Ensure that no flex cables are caught under the logic board.

  2. After the logic board clears the end of the battery flex cable, tilt down the edge of the logic board closest to you into the top case (2).

    • Caution: Don't hold the heat sink.

  3. Ensure that none of the flex cables (1–9) are trapped under the logic board.

    • Caution: Don’t connect the battery flex cable (8) or you’ll damage the logic board.

  4. Set the torque value on the 10–34 Ncm adjustable torque driver to 14.5 Ncm. Then use the adjustable torque driver and 5IP bit to reinstall two 5IP screws in the order shown.

    • 923-10368 (1)

    • 923-10370 (2)

  5. Set the torque value on the adjustable torque driver to 14.5 Ncm. Then use the adjustable torque driver and 5IP bit to reinstall two 5IP screws (923-10369).

  6. Set the torque value on the adjustable torque driver to 10 Ncm. Then use the adjustable torque driver and 5IP bit to reinstall three 5IP screws.

    • Two 5IP screws (923-10365) (1)

    • One 5IP screw (923-10364) (2)

  7. Set the torque value on the adjustable torque driver to 11.5 Ncm. Then use the adjustable torque driver and 3IP 25 mm bit to reinstall two 3IP screws (923-10366).

  8. Press the ends of nine flex cables (1–9) to the connectors.

    • Caution: Don’t connect the battery flex cable (10) or you'll damage the logic board.

  9. Position the following three cowlings over the ends of the flex cables:

    • Interposer board connector cowling

    • I/O board connector cowling

    • Trackpad flex cable cowling

  10. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP 44 mm half-moon bit to reinstall the seven 3IP screws (923-10367) into the three cowlings.

  11. Remove the adhesive backing from the I/O connector cowling tape.

  12. Align the I/O connector cowling tape with the upper right corner of the I/O connector cowling. Then press along the length of the I/O connector cowling tape to adhere it to the I/O connector cowling.

    • Caution: Ensure that the I/O connector cowling tape doesn’t extend over the edge of the cowling.

  13. Slightly peel back the top left corner of the top adhesive liner. Then slowly roll the liner off the I/O connector cowling tape.

Reinstall the following parts to complete reassembly:

Caution

After you’ve completed all removal and reassembly steps, learn how to initiate the System Configuration process.

Published Date: