MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Battery Connector Replacement

With the case closed, place the Unibody top-side down on a flat surface.

Depress the grooved side of the access door release latch enough to grab the free end. Lift the release latch until it is vertical.

The access door should now be raised enough to lift it up and out of the Unibody.

Grab the white plastic tab and pull the battery up and out of the Unibody.

Remove the following eight screws securing the lower case to the chassis:

One 3 mm Phillips screw.

Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.

Four 3.5 mm Phillips screws.

Using both hands, lift and remove the lower case off the upper case.

Remove the four 10.3 mm Phillips screws securing the mid wall to the upper case.

Lift the mid wall out of the upper case.

Remove the following screws securing the battery connector cover to the upper case:

One 2.5 mm Phillips screw.

Two 1.5 mm Phillips screws.

Lift the battery connector cover out of the upper case.

Remove the single 2.7 mm Phillips screw securing the battery cable cover to the upper case.

Lift the battery cable cover out of the upper case.

Using a spudger, pry the battery level indicator cable connector straight up off the logic board.

Peel the battery connector cable off the adhesive securing it to the upper case.

Pull the battery connector cable slightly toward the logic board to give yourself enough slack to grab the cable with your fingers.

Disconnect the cable by pulling it straight away from the logic board.

De-route the battery connector cable through the gap in the upper case and remove it from the computer.