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If you look at the Flex cable and or a pic of one which is found on this ebay ad: http://tinyurl.com/y9k4nll or search on item number 150344196409 What kind of tape is used on the vertical sections of this flex cable? It is the three rectangular sections that have half rounded ends on each end of the tape. Is this electrically conductive tape? I ask because it looks like it is impregnated with copper for conductivity or is some sort of cork insulator. What ever it is. I am guessing it got damaged during the replacement of the metal case on my iPod, and it is impacting the wifi range. Any experts out there or any body at all I would appreciate an answer. Thanks in advance. Update I still could use some kind of answer from a technical savvy person.

Teardown Step 10 says “The size, shape, and characteristics of the cable prevent external noise from interfering with the digital signals as they travel along the device.” you wrote that “it is impacting the wifi range” you still have a wifi reception ? how good or bad is it ? sometimes the “wires” in the ribbon cable are breaking when you crinkle it. - have a close look at the cable

  1. About the oblong areas on the back of the wifi ribbon, a continuity meter shows that they are for grounding indeed. These spots can be glued down with “wire glue” (search on ebay) for $5.
  2. About the end of the wifi ribbon, it definitely requires a different kind of adhesive. After much searching, I finally found someone (tomfgilks from Canada) selling the RIGHT kind of tape in small segments on EBay. The tape is 3M 9703 (you can search ebay, be sure to include “title & description” in search). I just ordered this and haven’t received it yet. So I can’t testify to it for sure. On the EBay page, this guy includes a link to 3M describing this tape, it’s definitely the right kind. For anyone wanting to purchase an entire roll, you can get it @ www.digikey.com http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSear… HAPPY FIXING!!

It is probably 75 percent of what it should be. Maybe even less. I have compared it to working iPods and it is always at least 25 to 30 percent less in signal strength. At work I connect to weak wifi signal. I use to be able to connect pretty well with this 2nd gen at work but after replacing the touch screen I no longer can connect. If I set it side by side with my 1st gen the 1st gen has much higher signal strength. The goal is to get the 2nd gen back to normal and sell the 1st gen. Don

I pulled the unit apart after purchasing a wifi cable online. But it looks like I can not use the wifi cable I bought because one end of the cable looks like it needs very expensive surface mounting equipment to attach the ribbon to the iPod mother board. Also the new ribbon cable did not come with any stick down tape. The existing cable has come loose on one section. I flipped it over far enough so that I could see that Apple has used a copper impregnated tape to stick the copper land on the bottom of the wifi cable to the metal back case of the iPod. This copper impregnated tape has lost its capability to stick. I think that lack of conductivity to the back plane “ground Plane” is causing the loss in my wifi signal. Is this electrically conductive tape available from this site? Or does someone know where I can buy some in small quantities? And is this tape similar to what I need? http://able123.com/tape-c-1/3m-xyz-axis-… The word shielding throws me as I am not sure if that is what the Apple tape is doing or not. Marcus, I scanned a pic of my ribbon cable in the iPod and will upload it when I can come up with card reader to read the scanned image.

I am having the same problem. I need to find some of the adhesive they use but I have been unable to find it. Especially in a small quantity. I bought a new wifi cable because I accidentally tore mine. but the new ribbon cable no coductive adhesive attached. only adhesive to attach it to the back of my iPod Touch. a repair video is really needed out there for this. I dont personally know of anyone who has accomplished this. Update Found The Tape From Someone On Ebay Its $20.00 for 2 6in by 1/2in pieces beats paying $85 for a whole roll and having a ton with nothing to do with. I cant get it to link to the auction page but the ebay item number is 270601559651

Marcus, Thanks for the instructions on how to install a wifi cable on the 2nd Gen iPod. I am sure others will find this helpful. I have since put my iPod back together again as I could not get an answer on how to attach the wifi cable and was concerned that my iPod would end up in worse shape sitting around as parts. I still would like to know where to buy:

  1. Double sided tape - I got some at a craft store and already it is coming loose between the touch screen and the frame - I think it can’t handle temp above 90 degrees. So what is a good source?
  2. Conductive tape like what is on the wifi cable in the URL I posted. Is the tape that I asked about in the other URL going to work or can someone suggest a better source? - I just don’t want to guess at what tape to use.
  3. Will the conductive tape in 2 above also work for the grounding of the sleep/wake button ribbon cable on the 1st Gen iPod?

I think Apple uses 3M VHB adhesive tape for other ipod adhesive such as the digitizer to frame and other “stuck on” items. The 9703 Z conductive tape will also work on the ribbon cable. You cannot however use “shielding” conductive tape to attach the ribbon cable to the logic board. This would cause some major frying. I see a couple people selling the 9703 tape on e-bay but I, tomgilks seem to be the only one with worldwide shipping.

just search for “3M 970312 Conductive Adhesive iTouch Wifi Ribbon Cable” on ebay and it should come up no problem the seller name is “wztahotshot08” i had the same problem at attempting to find out what to call it or it wont even show up in the search results

Well I just bought a thin strip of that tape from wztahotshot08 for $6.50 Any tips on how to install it? Where exactly do I need to put it? All over?

I am going to tackle this job on two iPod touch’s when the parts (wifi flex, 3M adhesive) come in. Searching this job on the web I have come across a guy claiming it is a “bear” to attach. Loooking at the job on one of my cooked logic board it does indeed, seem to be a “bear” to line up the contacts. It looks like the adhesive is only applied in a thin strip across straight connectors of the logic board. Identical to the ribbon that is left behind (tearing) after removal of the old cable? I will post after I attempt this for the first time. PS: Is it just me.. do all the other forums out there have those same two button pushing kribble kids posting to every iPod Touch conundrum?

is there no video out there. if there is post it thank you jase

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?View…

I have tried this repair with some tape I got from Tom Gilks. I was unable (after two separate tries) to get the Ipod to work again, but it IS possible. The tape is extremely hard to get onto the board un-stretched and it is even harder to position and line up the new flex cable to the right spot, Though it IS, like I said, possible. Please check out this video. The guy who made it did the repair and did it well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E49tvZ8G3… Also, the post directly above this one is from Tom Gilks himself, the man who can sell you some of the z-axis-conductive 3M adhesive you need. He is the best place to get it if you only need to do a few repairs. Don’t lose hope if it doesn’t work the first time, and DON’T take a hairdryer to it (I did, lol).

Do I need my front screen for my iPod 2 generation to work .