MacBook Air 13" Early 2017 I/O Board Replacement

Step 1 Lower case

Use a P5 pentalobe driver to remove ten screws securing the lower case, of the following lengths

Step 2 Battery Connector

Grab the clear plastic pull tab attached to the battery connector and pull it parallel to the board toward the front edge of the Air

Step 3 I/O Board Cable

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the I/O board cable connector up out of its socket on the I/O board

Step 4

Carefully peel the I/O board cable from the adhesive securing it to the top of the fan

Step 5

While gently pulling the I/O board cable upward near its connection to the logic board, use the flat end of a spudger to pry up on alternating sides of the connector to help "walk" it out of its socket

Step 6 Fan

Use the tip of a spudger to carefully flip up the retaining flap on the fan cable ZIF socket

Step 7

Peel the rubber gasket off the adhesive on the top of the fan

Step 8

Remove the following three screws securing the fan to the upper case

Step 9

Lift the fan from the I/O board side and pull it free from the upper case

Removing the fan will also disconnect the fan ribbon cable. Be careful not to snag it.

Step 10 I/O Board

Disconnect the I/O board by pulling its power cable away from its socket on the logic board

Step 11

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the left speaker cable connector up and out of its socket on the I/O board

Step 12

Use the tip of a spudger to carefully flip up the retaining flap on the microphone ribbon cable ZIF socket

Step 13

Remove the single 4.1 mm T5 Torx screw securing the I/O board to the upper case

Step 14

Gently de-route the camera cable from its notch on the I/O board and push it out of the way with the tip of a spudger

Step 15

Lift the I/O board from the logic board side and pull it free from the upper case.

Removing the I/O board will also disconnect the microphone ribbon cable. Be careful not to snag it