Apple iPod 3rd Generation
Before opening your iPod, ensure that the hold switch is in the locked position. The orange bar should be visible, indicating hold is active.
Opening the case can be challenging. Do not get discouraged if it takes you a few tries before the iPod is opened.
Insert a large iPod opening tool into the seam between the plastic front and metal rear panel of the iPod, near the headphone jack. The tool's edge should point toward the metal rear panel to prevent any accidental scratching of the plastic front.
Run the tool along the top seam toward the upper left corner of the iPod.
Push the large iPod opening tool into the upper left corner of the iPod, creating a small gap along the side seam.
There are five retaining tabs on each side of the iPod.
With the large iPod opening tool still inserted in the top seam, press a small iPod opening tool into the gap you just created.
Run the iPod opening tool down the side seam, releasing all five tabs.
It may be necessary to wiggle the tool while working your way down the seam to free all the tabs.
Run the iPod opening tool around the lower left corner of the iPod and along the bottom seam to free the two retaining tabs near the dock connector.
Run the tool around the lower right corner of the iPod and along the right side seam to free all five retaining tabs.
The case of the iPod should now easily come loose. Ensure all retaining tabs are free before proceeding.
The iPod case is now open, but don't separate the two halves just yet.
There is still an orange ribbon cable connecting the headphone jack to the logic board.
Open the case like a book with the dock connector at the top, and lay the rear panel next to the front half of the iPod.
Use a plastic tool or your fingernails to carefully disconnect the orange headphone jack cable. Be sure to pull straight up on the connector, not the cable itself.
The headphone jack connector is unusually tall. When prying, be careful to not separate the lower, plastic part of the connector from the ribbon cable. Pry between the connector and the socket, not between the two halves of the connector.
Lift up the hard drive with one hand and carefully disconnect the hard drive ribbon from the logic board.
Lift the hard drive out of the iPod.
Carefully disconnect the white battery connector from the logic board. Be sure to pull only on the connector itself and not on the cables.
Use a spudger to carefully disconnect the orange touch wheel cable from the logic board.
Remove the 6 black T6 Torx screws securing the logic board to the front panel.
Lift the logic board out of the iPod.
When reassembling your iPod, be sure that the plastic hold switch mechanism is synced with the hold switch on the logic board. The switch on the board is a small black nub that sits in a slot on the hold switch mechanism.
Use a spudger to carefully disconnect the orange display ribbon from the front panel.
Lift the display panel out of the iPod.
Before opening your iPod, ensure that the hold switch is in the locked position. The orange bar should be visible, indicating hold is active.
Opening the case can be challenging. Do not get discouraged if it takes you a few tries before the iPod is opened.
Insert a large iPod opening tool into the seam between the plastic front and metal rear panel of the iPod, near the headphone jack. The tool's edge should point toward the metal rear panel to prevent any accidental scratching of the plastic front.
Run the tool along the top seam toward the upper left corner of the iPod.
Push the large iPod opening tool into the upper left corner of the iPod, creating a small gap along the side seam.
There are five retaining tabs on each side of the iPod.
With the large iPod opening tool still inserted in the top seam, press a small iPod opening tool into the gap you just created.
Run the iPod opening tool down the side seam, releasing all five tabs.
It may be necessary to wiggle the tool while working your way down the seam to free all the tabs.
Run the iPod opening tool around the lower left corner of the iPod and along the bottom seam to free the two retaining tabs near the dock connector.
Run the tool around the lower right corner of the iPod and along the right side seam to free all five retaining tabs.
The case of the iPod should now easily come loose. Ensure all retaining tabs are free before proceeding.
The iPod case is now open, but don't separate the two halves just yet.
There is still an orange ribbon cable connecting the headphone jack to the logic board.
Open the case like a book with the dock connector at the top, and lay the rear panel next to the front half of the iPod.
Use a plastic tool or your fingernails to carefully disconnect the orange headphone jack cable. Be sure to pull straight up on the connector, not the cable itself.
The headphone jack connector is unusually tall. When prying, be careful to not separate the lower, plastic part of the connector from the ribbon cable. Pry between the connector and the socket, not between the two halves of the connector.
Lift up the hard drive with one hand and carefully disconnect the hard drive ribbon from the logic board.
Lift the hard drive out of the iPod.
Carefully disconnect the white battery connector from the logic board. Be sure to pull only on the connector itself and not on the cables.
Use a spudger to carefully disconnect the orange touch wheel cable from the logic board.
Remove the 6 black T6 Torx screws securing the logic board to the front panel.
Lift the logic board out of the iPod.
When reassembling your iPod, be sure that the plastic hold switch mechanism is synced with the hold switch on the logic board. The switch on the board is a small black nub that sits in a slot on the hold switch mechanism.
Use a spudger to carefully disconnect the orange display ribbon from the front panel.
Lift the display panel out of the iPod.
