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Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement

What you need

  1. Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 1 of 1
    • Unscrew the two 3mm Phillips #1 head screws along the top edge of the device.

    • The screws on the back panel strip easily. Go slowly and press down firmly.

    • The screws on the back panel are held in by locking washers, so they won't come out of the back panel.

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  2. Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 2
    • Pull the top corner tabs of the front face plate outward and towards you.

    • Pull the faceplate up and out of the slots at the bottom of the device.

    • Set aside the back faceplate.

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  3. Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 3 Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 3 Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement: step 3, image 3 of 3
    • Insert a plastic opening tool into the notch at the top of the battery.

    • Pry the battery up with the plastic opening tool.

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  4. Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement, SD Card Reader: step 4, image 1 of 1
    • Unscrew the three 3mm Y0 screws along the right and bottom of the SD card reader.

    • The bottom of the SD card reader should slightly pop out after removing the screws.

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  5. Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1
    • Pull the SD card reader from the edge with two holes gently to free the tab at the top of the SD card reader.

    • Don't completely pull the SD card out of the device yet. There is a ribbon cable connected under the SD card reader.

    • Reorient the device so that the power jack faces you.

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  6. Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • Lift the SD card reader gently.

    • Use a plastic opening tool to pry the SD card ribbon cable off the socket on the motherboard.

    • Lift the SD card reader out off of the lower casing.

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  7. Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement, Lower Case: step 7, image 1 of 3 Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement, Lower Case: step 7, image 2 of 3 Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement, Lower Case: step 7, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
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    • Reorient the device so that the game slot now faces you.

    • Remove the two rubber bumpers along the top of the device using tweezers.

    • Unscrew the seven 6mm Phillips #00 screws along the top and bottom of the 3DS.

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  8. Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2
    • Lift the top edge of the lower case slightly off on the 3DS.

    • Don't pull the lower casing completely off, you may break those connections. There are ribbon cables that must be disconnected first.

    • Pry the ribbon cable socket under the right trigger using a plastic opening tool.

    • Pry the ribbon cable socket under the infrared receiver cover using a plastic opening tool.

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  9. Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 3 Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 3 Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement: step 9, image 3 of 3
    • Open the device slowly from its top edge. Be careful not to tug the ribbon cable connected near the bottom edge of the device.

    • Pry the last ribbon cable attached to the lower case using a plastic opening tool.

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  10. Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement, Circle Pad: step 10, image 1 of 3 Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement, Circle Pad: step 10, image 2 of 3 Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement, Circle Pad: step 10, image 3 of 3
    • Locate the joystick assembly near the top right corner of the motherboard.

    • Remove the two 8mm Phillips #00 screws from the back of the joystick.

    • Use the flat end of the spudger to pry off the joystick pad from its plastic housing.

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  11. Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2
    • Lift the joystick pad and place it on its back. This will reveal the ribbon cable connected to the joystick pad.

    • Use the flat end of the spudger to pry up the retaining flap for the ribbon cable.

    • Lift the joystick out of the device.

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  12. Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 12, image 1 of 3 Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 12, image 2 of 3 Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 12, image 3 of 3
    • Remove the power cable, indicated by the black and red wires, by gently pulling it up and out of the connector.

    • Gently pull the ribbon cables out of the 4 ZIF connectors.

    • Do not lift up on the tabs on these ZIF connectors. Lifting these tabs will break the connectors.

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  13. Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 2 Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy
    • Pull up gently on the blue wifi antenna.

    • Pry the retaining tab on the connector behind the infrared receiver and gently pull the ribbon cable from the connector with tweezers.

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  14. Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 3 Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 3 Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement: step 14, image 3 of 3
    • Lift the retaining tab and remove the large ribbon cable on the left side of the motherboard.

    • Lift the retaining tab and remove the large ribbon cable on the top of the motherboard behind the infrared receiver.

    • Lift the retaining tab and remove the large ribbon cable on the top of the motherboard just above the joysitck housing.

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  15. Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 3 Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 3 Nintendo 3DS 2015 Motherboard Replacement: step 15, image 3 of 3
    • Double check that all motherboard connection on the top of the board have been disconnected.

    • Remove the three, 3mm Phillips #00 screws that secure the motherboard to the device housing.

    • Lift the motherboard gently by the headphone jack.

    • Remove the two ribbons on the back of the device by lifting the retaining tabs on the ZIF connectors.

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Conclusion

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

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Tyler Starr

Member since: 10/06/16

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7 Guides authored

Team

Cal Poly, Team 4-6, Livingston Fall 2016 Member of Cal Poly, Team 4-6, Livingston Fall 2016

CPSU-LIVINGSTON-F16S4G6

4 Members

46 Guides authored

1 Guide Comment

Step #15 is incorrect. There are only two motherboard screws. The third screw circled, the right side of the console, is a passthrough for the rear housing screws.

Killy728 - Reply Share

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