iMac G4 Board level repair

[yakult121]

Hi chaps, I'm looking to replace a iMac G4 video connector. Any one knows where I can find this odd 21 pin connector?

 

[Needleroozer]

Hi chaps, I'm looking to replace a iMac G4 video connector. Any one knows where I can find this odd 21 pin connector?

The connector in your picture doesn’t look too bad. I have had success in the past with unreliable display connections in the 17” G4 by just unplugging and replugging the connector.

After a bit of hunting around, I found a schematic for a USB2 17” iMac G4 motherboard. This connector (J12) is pinned out on page 26 as the “INTERNAL TDMS CONNECTOR”, and the part number given there is FI-TWE21P-VF.
This part seems to be out of production, but there are a couple sites that seem to carry it:

1 LOT OF 10 PCS JAE ELECTRONICS FI-TWE21P-VF-E1400 FFC & FPC Connectors | eBay

FFC & FPC Connectors 21P Vertical Recept 1.25MM PCB-FLEX/WIRE(R4S13.1B1)

www.ebay.com

FI-TWE21P-VF - NTI - The Connector People

www.connectorpeople.com

I haven’t ordered from either of these vendors before, so I can’t vouch for their trustworthiness.

 

[yakult121]

Thanks mate! I took this picture from a working imac g4 logic board. The messed up connector was much worse. I am getting my hands dirty with removing capacitors and connectors off a broken intel P4 mobo for practice. It's quite hard removing capacitors with a soldering iron. Going to learn hot air reworking but got to get one hot air rework station first.

 

[m1maverick]

Thanks mate! I took this picture from a working imac g4 logic board. The messed up connector was much worse. I am getting my hands dirty with removing capacitors and connectors off a broken intel P4 mobo for practice. It's quite hard removing capacitors with a soldering iron. Going to learn hot air reworking but got to get one hot air rework station first.

A hot air station is definitely the way to go. I have one and it makes SMD component replacement much easier than a soldering iron. If you don't already have one I would also recommend a good quality soldering iron for when it's time to put on the new parts.

 

[yakult121]

Do you have a recommendation for a hot air rework station? I'm leaning to the ATTEN/Quick models.

 

[m1maverick]

Do you have a recommendation for a hot air rework station? I'm leaning to the ATTEN/Quick models.

I just purchased an inexpensive one from Ebay. Specifically this one:

853D 3in1 DC Power Supply SMD Rework Station Soldering Hot Air Gun Welder 110V​

MODS: Not my auction.

EDIT: Updated link thanks to Needle

 

[Needleroozer]

Thanks mate! I took this picture from a working imac g4 logic board. The messed up connector was much worse. I am getting my hands dirty with removing capacitors and connectors off a broken intel P4 mobo for practice. It's quite hard removing capacitors with a soldering iron. Going to learn hot air reworking but got to get one hot air rework station first.

Hot air rework is a great tool, but you also might want to know about Chip-Quik, which is a low melting point solder alloy that lets you get a whole lot of pins hot at once, making it easier to remove large components, especially through-hole ones. This particular connector happens to be surface-mount, so hot air is probably the better approach in this case.

Chip Quik SMD1, SMD4.5, SMD8, SMD16, SMD32 Removal Alloy Leaded (2.5ft., flux, alcohol pads)

Easily Remove Smd Parts With Chip Quik Removal Alloy. Reduce Heat And Reduce Damage To Circuit Boards And Smd Parts During Removal. Comes With Smd291 Flux.

www.amazon.com

I just purchased an inexpensive one from Ebay. Specifically this one:

853D 3in1 DC Power Supply SMD Rework Station Soldering Hot Air Gun Welder 110V​

MODS: Not my auction.

Your link was broken, but I think I fixed it... I know a guy with that unit who swears by it. I think he did some QFN assembly work with the hot air gun, and having the iron and DC power supply looks pretty convenient.