I broke an airport card connector cable

[JimiHx]

So yeah idiot me.
I broke of the conector of the outer left cable to the Airport card. So now I have a wire with some silver (?) wire and a connector. There's nothing left stuck on the airport card.
Macbook Pro Retina Mid 2015

What is the best way to re-attach? Can I make a crimp myself or does it need to be soldered? Is it a quick fix for a pro? What would a repair shop charge?

Also what's the function of that cable, Bluetooth or Wifi?

 

[spyguy10709]

She's done, chief.

I mean, you could in theory re-crimp it. But holy hell is that a small connector you have to *absolutely mangle* back apart, and back together.

Best thing to do would be to replace the antenna itself, but since it's a retina machine and it's inside the LCD....

you're replacing the LCD if you want that done properly.

 

[Audit13]

Here's what I did to fix the same issue I had with an early 2015 Air: I used an internal antenna cable from a Samsung phone. I carefully soldered the two cables together. The connector on the end of the cell antenna was an exact match for the original Mac connector.

 

[Mr.Fox]

So yeah idiot me.
I broke of the conector of the outer left cable to the Airport card. So now I have a wire with some silver (?) wire and a connector. There's nothing left stuck on the airport card.
Macbook Pro Retina Mid 2015

What is the best way to re-attach? Can I make a crimp myself or does it need to be soldered? Is it a quick fix for a pro? What would a repair shop charge?

Also what's the function of that cable, Bluetooth or Wifi?

Replace the wire. You will not be able to crimp it evenly well. It is better to take it to a workshop where it will be repaired. The price depends on your appetite and greed. It's a 20-minute job with a coffee break.
Wi-Fi function.

 

[spyguy10709]

Here's what I did to fix the same issue I had with an early 2015 Air: I used an internal antenna cable from a Samsung phone. I carefully soldered the two cables together. The connector on the end of the cell antenna was an exact match for the original Mac connector.

I'm really surprised this worked, because the exterior sheath of the cable is a ground - which is to say, if the metallic sleeving of this tiny cable came in contact with the inner core... it wouldn't work at all.

 

[spyguy10709]

Replace the wire. You will not be able to crimp it evenly well. It is better to take it to a workshop where it will be repaired.

You can't simply "replace the wire" - the antenna is fused into the display housing.

All a "workshop" would attempt is exactly the repair I posted - uncrimping the connector and crimping it back around the wire, inserting the wire into the center of the post, carefully.

 

[Mr.Fox]

You can't simply "replace the wire" - the antenna is fused into the display housing.

All a "workshop" would attempt is exactly the repair I posted - uncrimping the connector and crimping it back around the wire, inserting the wire into the center of the post, carefully.

Stop talking nonsense. Learn the theory. The braid is connected to the supply line and is connected to the plug, which is dismantled after opening the display. Work for 20 minutes with straight hands and spare parts. Either replace the entire antenna or rewire the loop.

 

[Audit13]

I'm really surprised this worked, because the exterior sheath of the cable is a ground - which is to say, if the metallic sleeving of this tiny cable came in contact with the inner core... it wouldn't work at all.

I did not do any speed tests before and after using the cell phone antenna wire. Unfortunately, the MacBook suffered a coffee (with cream and sugar) spill about 8 months later.

I tried the MacBook after the replacement and it seemed fine and speeds were okay. I believe it was the middle of the 3 cables that was damaged. The person using the MacBook never mentioned slow WiFi speeds to me.

 

[spyguy10709]

Stop talking nonsense. Learn the theory. The braid is connected to the supply line and is connected to the plug, which is dismantled after opening the display. Work for 20 minutes with straight hands and spare parts. Either replace the entire antenna or rewire the loop.

Is english not your first language, or something?

I've never heard anyone talk about "supply line", or "braids" in conjunction with electronics. The first one sounds like plumbing, the second sounds like a hairstylist.

Anyway, this is a macbook pro retina. You CANNOT "open the display". The front glass, should you be able to remove it, **is** the top layer of the LCD. There's no "panel assembly" inside of a display housing like most traditional laptops. What you're talking about is PHYSICALLY impossible.

MacBook Pro Retina Display Teardown

In case you missed it, we tore apart the new MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012 last week. Inside, we found a whole mess of pretty, yet...

www.ifixit.com

I'd encourage YOU to "stop talking nonsense" and "learn the theory".

 

[JimiHx]

HEY GUYS! Thanks.
I am wondering, does there already exist a name for the "someone with minor knowledge asks a question and toe knowers start fighting in the thread" situation?

Nevertheless like the answers. The vid is my repair yeah. No can do myself, like the guys channel tough! Thx

Haven't been to a shop yet because.........wifi & bluetooth both operate With one antenna cable (the one most to centre) not connected.

I did thank the lord