Hardware Super slim replacement WIFI chip

[StrayGuitarist]

I’ve been tasked with fixing a friend’s superslim PS3 which has a dead bluetooth/WiFi chip. It doesn’t recognize any WiFi networks, and no wireless controllers will work with it. Ethernet and wired controllers work, but, eh.

It also gets pretty fucking hot. Hot enough to make the cables plugged into the back kinda sweaty and sticky like they’re about to start melting just from the heat from the exhaust fan alone.

So, where should I buy a replacement WiFi chip, and what should I do to lower temperatures? (aside from dusting it, which I’ll do as soon as I can get some canned air)

 

[pure3d2]

I’ve been tasked with fixing a friend’s superslim PS3 which has a dead bluetooth/WiFi chip. It doesn’t recognize any WiFi networks, and no wireless controllers will work with it. Ethernet and wired controllers work, but, eh.

It also gets pretty fucking hot. Hot enough to make the cables plugged into the back kinda sweaty and sticky like they’re about to start melting just from the heat from the exhaust fan alone.

So, where should I buy a replacement WiFi chip, and what should I do to lower temperatures? (aside from dusting it, which I’ll do as soon as I can get some canned air)

I think you might have a short on the Wifi chip. Your best bet is aliexpress. You'll have to be careful as there are different modules for different series (2000, 3000, 4000).

 

[Necron]

That's a BGA chip as far as I know, so it can be tricky to solder and desolder without proper equipment (you can give it a go with a hot air gun)

 

[StrayGuitarist]

I think you might have a short on the Wifi chip. Your best bet is aliexpress. You'll have to be careful as there are different modules for different series (2000, 3000, 4000).

I saw some on eBay, but I'll definitely check Aliexpress.

That's a BGA chip as far as I know, so it can be tricky to solder and desolder without proper equipment (you can give it a go with a hot air gun)

My soldering skills aren't great, but from my recent research, it didn't even seem possible. How would I go about doing that?

 

[Necron]

My soldering skills aren't great, but from my recent research, it didn't even seem possible. How would I go about doing that?

First you need to cover the adjacent area to the chip with heat resistant tape. If you don't have, you could use a sheet of aluminum or layers of aluminum foil, like the one in cereals. After you've done that, turn on the heat and heat up the old chip evenly. Eventually, you'll be able to move it (try with some metallic that's long, that air is over 300ºC). You need to remove the chip, clean the area with soldering wick and then you need to apply the solder back. The usual step is to cover the base with the soldering balls, but I'm not sure how you would do that, you can probably get a bracket for that online. The best step is probably putting the balls on the new chip, heat them so they stick to the points, then align it on the board and heat up like you did to remove the chip. Check out bga chip replacements on youtube to get a better idea.