Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

10

Time Required

                          20 minutes

Sections

1

  • Internal Battery
  • 10 steps

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Introduction

If you decide to undertake a similar project: understand that the battery could explode and possibly the screen could shatter sending shards of glass towards your being. If you’re unsure about this, or you prefer to stay safe, don’t try this repair for a bulging battery.

What you need

Step 1

              Remove the rear cover
  • Start by removing the plastic cover to the speakers and webcam. I used a couple of spudgers, but you can also see the exploded version from the product video still I included, as well. Take your time, this is probably the most patient part of the whole repair.

Start by removing the plastic cover to the speakers and webcam. I used a couple of spudgers, but you can also see the exploded version from the product video still I included, as well. Take your time, this is probably the most patient part of the whole repair.

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Step 2

              Undo the screws
  • I’m not positive, but I think these were T5 screw sizes. Keep them in order.

I’m not positive, but I think these were T5 screw sizes. Keep them in order.

Step 3

              Lift off the display
  • You can see the two ribbon cables that keep the display and controls connected on the bottom of the frame. I’ve already peeled back the battery connector for this shot, sorry for not giving you an in-progress shot, but it’s pretty obvious.
  • You can see how much my screen was bulging in the second photo. This is the dangerous part

You can see the two ribbon cables that keep the display and controls connected on the bottom of the frame. I’ve already peeled back the battery connector for this shot, sorry for not giving you an in-progress shot, but it’s pretty obvious.

You can see how much my screen was bulging in the second photo. This is the dangerous part

Step 4

              Disconnect the battery
  • The connector is hidden under some tape, shown peeled back here. After the risk of the screen shattering, I’d say this is the most dangerous part for this repair. You’re peeling off sealed batteries and physically manipulating them. Use Caution
  • Use the spudger to lift the battery connector out of it’s port. The less torque you use, the better (so don’t go twisting and prying)

The connector is hidden under some tape, shown peeled back here. After the risk of the screen shattering, I’d say this is the most dangerous part for this repair. You’re peeling off sealed batteries and physically manipulating them. Use Caution

Use the spudger to lift the battery connector out of it’s port. The less torque you use, the better (so don’t go twisting and prying)

Step 5

              Disconnect the screen
  • Remove the two ribbon cables
  • Both cable connections are covered in Kapton tape (the yellow electronics friendly tape you see inside many devices), peel it off carefully, since we’re just gonna re-use it upon reassembly.

Remove the two ribbon cables

Both cable connections are covered in Kapton tape (the yellow electronics friendly tape you see inside many devices), peel it off carefully, since we’re just gonna re-use it upon reassembly.

Step 6

              Disconnect the display cables
  • These are both ZIF connectors, meaning they use a friction flap to hold them in place. Carefully lift the flap, and disconnect the ribbon cabling for both cables.

These are both ZIF connectors, meaning they use a friction flap to hold them in place. Carefully lift the flap, and disconnect the ribbon cabling for both cables.

Step 7

              Pry out the battery
  • I wish I had better words here, but this battery is glued in there solid .
  • Be careful it can explode or catch fire. Use common sense and good precaution.
  • The second photo here shows the battery after I spent probably 4 minutes slowly prying it away from the glue.

I wish I had better words here, but this battery is glued in there solid .

Be careful it can explode or catch fire. Use common sense and good precaution.

The second photo here shows the battery after I spent probably 4 minutes slowly prying it away from the glue.

Step 8

              Install the new battery
  • I ordered my OEM replacement on eBay for about $34. I’m re-placing the tape mentioned earlier in this guide, in this shot.

I ordered my OEM replacement on eBay for about $34. I’m re-placing the tape mentioned earlier in this guide, in this shot.

Step 9

              Reconnect the screen
  • Reconnect the two ribbon connections, previously removed.
  • Bottom edge slides in first (no, this isn’t a shot of my smoke detector, you can see the bottom teeth of the screen along the edge)
  • When I re-assembled, I got a black screen, which turned out to be an improperly seated right ribbon connection. Take your time and check your connections.

Reconnect the two ribbon connections, previously removed.

Bottom edge slides in first (no, this isn’t a shot of my smoke detector, you can see the bottom teeth of the screen along the edge)

When I re-assembled, I got a black screen, which turned out to be an improperly seated right ribbon connection. Take your time and check your connections.

Step 10

              Check your work
  • Once you have both ribbon cables re-seated and the Capton tape re-installed, reconnect the battery.
  • I like to check that connections are working before sealing everything back up (re-install the screws, re-attach the plastic screw cover, to finish).

Once you have both ribbon cables re-seated and the Capton tape re-installed, reconnect the battery.

I like to check that connections are working before sealing everything back up (re-install the screws, re-attach the plastic screw cover, to finish).

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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                                                                                      5 other people completed this guide.

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                    Steve C

Member since: 05/15/2017

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David - Nov 18, 2019

Reply

Thanks for this guide it was a great help! The screws are T4. I used a plastic 2 1/2 inch putty knife to help pry the old battery off the case without rupturing it. Got the replacement battery from ebay for < $20.

Michael Crowley - Oct 26, 2020

Reply

Every thing seems to be working. Can’t seem to keep screen on for over a minute. The screen won’t let me swipe to left. What did I do wrong. Thanks pete432044@yahoo.com

Bob Groh - Feb 1, 2021

Reply

OK up to getting battery unstuck and then disaster - absolutely unable to break the glue seal. Tore wrapper on battery pouch so total loss. Definitely took way more than 20 minutes to get to that point. Difficulty is a lot more than ‘moderate’. I don’t recommend anyone try this. If you do try it (after all - it is not useable with a bad battery), I suggest you do it BEFORE you buy the new battery. FYI the screws are T5 but the lousy tool in the battery kit was totally inadequate to the task - I had to buy a good tool from Home Depot. Danger when mucking with battery is high - I just can not recommend this for the average DIY’er at all.

mike l - May 27, 2021

I would say the difficulty level is easy. The only hard part is getting the battery out and even that’s not hard, you just have to rip it out. Of course make sure it’s completely drain first and definitely wear safety glasses.

Jayesh Limaye - Feb 22, 2021

Reply

Is the battery still dangerous on rupture even if it has been discharged for months?