Game Boy Color Replace Speaker

This instructable will display how to replace a speaker from a Game Boy Color. These systems have a habit of having the factory speaker fail after some time. The good news is, a new speaker is only $1-2 on ebay, and its a really easy fix. It only takes about 10 minutes and requires the most basic soldering skill.

IMPORTANT: THERE IS ALWAYS THE REMOTE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGING SENSITIVE COMPONENTS.

Parts list

1)Game Boy Color

2) Phillips screwdriver, small

3) Tri-wing screwdriver or bit. This is meant for Nintendo products and can be bought on eBay for about $2.

4) Soldering iron

5) Game (to test before and after

6) New speaker

7) Case to keep the screws in

Step 1: Removing Screws

There are 6 tri-wing type screws on the outside of the game boy. I have encircled them so they are easy to identify.

Remove these screws and put them into a container- they are small and easy to lose.

Pop off the back cover.

On the motherboard, you will see 3 Phillips screws. Remove these as well and put into the container.

If you mix up the screws, just remember that the Phillips screws are shorter than the tri-wing.

Step 2: Removing the Motherboard

Before attempting to move the motherboard, you must disengage the ribbon cable.

This is thin and can tear, so adjust carefully.

On the sides of the cable there are 2 little slide switches. Slide them up and the ribbon cable will slide up and out as well.

When putting it back together, remember to slide the cable in first, then lock the pins. Now the motherboard can come out.

P.S. This is a very good time to clean the button pads, as they get dirty- remember that this is a pretty old system.

Step 3: Replacing the Speaker

The old speaker is attached with 2 wires.

Remove the speaker with a soldering iron- you can easily see that the old speaker is quite corroded.

The new speaker has 2 little contacts/soldering points, usually with green lines near them.

Solder the wires onto the new speaker- it does not matter which wire goes to which contact/solder point.

On this speaker, you usually do not need to add any solder, there is some already in place.

Now close everything back up, you are done! Remember to test before you put all the screws in.

Good luck!