MacBook Air (15-inch, M5) Audio/Sensor Flex Cable

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)

  • Audio/sensor flex cable alignment tool

  • ESD-safe tweezers

  • Ethanol wipes or isopropyl alcohol (IPA) wipes

  • Nylon probe (black stick)

  • Torque driver (blue, 0.65 kgf cm)

  • Torx Plus 3IP 44 mm half-moon bit

  • Torx Plus 5IP 50 mm bit

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

Important

If you remove the audio/sensor flex cable, you must install a replacement.

Removal

Note: If you’ve already completed the removal steps, skip to reassembly.

  1. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP bit to remove the 3IP screw (923-14455) from the Touch ID board connector cowling.

  2. Rotate the Touch ID board connector cowling 180 degrees (1). Then use the blue torque driver and 3IP bit to reinstall the 3IP screw (2) into the cowling.

  3. Lift the ends of the lid angle sensor flex cable and Touch ID board flex cable off the connectors.

  4. Use the 10–34 Ncm adjustable torque driver and 5IP bit to remove the two 5IP screws (923-12552) from the audio jack.

  5. Spread the tips of the ESD-safe tweezers and slide one tip under the Touch ID board flex cable to loosen the adhesive in the areas shown.

    • Caution

      • The adhesive in these areas is very strong.

      • Don't damage the keyboard backlight shield. If the keyboard backlight shield is damaged, you must replace the top case.

  6. Gently peel the audio/sensor flex cable off the top case.

    • Note: Use the black stick as needed to loosen the adhesive between the audio/sensor flex cable and the top case.

  7. Use the flat end of the black stick and an ethanol wipe or IPA wipe to remove all residual adhesive from the highlighted areas.

Reassembly

  1. Gently peel the Touch ID board flex cable from the top case in the area shown to allow correct routing of the audio/sensor flex cable.

    • Note: Use the black stick as needed to loosen the adhesive between the Touch ID flex cable and the top case.

  2. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP bit to remove the 3IP screw (923-14455) from the Touch ID board connector cowling. Remove the cowling and save it for reassembly.

  3. Remove the adhesive liners from the replacement audio/sensor flex cable. While holding the audio jack, position the flex cable in the top case as shown.

    • Caution

      • Don't press the audio/sensor flex cable to the top case yet.

      • Ensure that the lid angle sensor flex cable isn’t trapped under the audio jack.

  4. Use the 10–34 Ncm adjustable torque driver and 5IP bit to partially install the two 5IP screws (923-12552) into the audio jack.

  5. Set the torque value on the 10–34 Ncm adjustable torque driver to 16 Ncm. While gently pressing the audio jack to the top case (1), use the adjustable torque driver and 5IP bit to reinstall the two 5IP screws into the audio jack (2).

    • Important: Ensure that the audio jack doesn't protrude past the surface of the enclosure.

  6. Place the audio/sensor flex cable alignment tool over the housing feature as shown, ensuring that the side of the tool marked 15" is facing up. Push the alignment tool down and left from the top right corner.

    • Note: An arrow symbol on the tool indicates the direction to push.

  7. While holding the audio/sensor flex cable alignment tool in place, align the audio/sensor flex cable with the bottom left corner of the alignment tool as shown.

  8. Press the audio/sensor flex cable against the top case in the three areas shown.

    • Important: Ensure that the Touch ID board flex cable isn't caught underneath the audio/sensor flex cable.

  9. While holding the audio/sensor flex cable in place, use the flat end of the black stick to adhere the flex cable to the side of the audio jack as shown.

  10. Press the audio/sensor flex cable to adhere it to the top case in the areas shown.

  11. Press the ends of the lid angle sensor flex cable and Touch ID board flex cable to the connectors on the audio/sensor flex cable.

  12. Press the Touch ID board flex cable to adhere it to the top case.

  13. Position the Touch ID board connector cowling over the end of the flex cable.

    • Note: Ensure that the Touch ID board connector cowling is tucked under the bracket.

  14. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP bit reinstall one 3IP screw (923-14455) into the Touch ID board connector cowling.

Reinstall the following parts to complete reassembly:

Published Date: