Bluetooth upgrade iMac 2010, how-to

[sebastius]

Today i've wrapped up my installation of a BCM94360CD in my iMac mid 2010 27". It was a bit of work and required several modifications to the system, but now i've got handoff working (and the Mac looks and feels 'stock' )

Shoppinglist

iMac Tools (Torx T6, T8 and T10, suction cup for the screen and some other tools)
BCM94360CD module
An Mini-PCI-E adapter (there are models available with the USB-connections ready to go, get one of those instead of the one i got!)
WLAN extension-cable (or any WLAN coax with plug)

How-To

Remove the original BTboard, datacable and BT antenna. The cable for the antenna is too short to go to the airport-position, so i've soldered in a new coax. Be carefull not to get it too hot! The isolation between the core and mantle will melt and your antenna won't work!

Also remove the airportcard and the carrier-board (i need to modify it to connect USB for the bluetooth in the new broadcom module, if you get a better adapterboard, this is not necessary!).

Use this schematic to locate the D+, D- and GND lines on your USB cable. Colors may vary!

Strip the datacable and finish it with some heatshrink tube.

Connect the D+, D- and GND according to this table

Check the connections under a microscope:

Reconnect the antennae, route the cables and you are done! Note: my antennae are connected wrong in this image!

After this, it is simply a matter of reassembling the iMac, booting, enabling Handoff in the settings and you are good to go!

If Handoff is enabled but it doesn't seem to work, try logging out of iCloud and logging in again. Worked for me!

 

[desimaniac]

Thanks for posting this. I plan to do this to my 2010 27" imac someday.. soon hopefully.

Any recommendations for updated parts or tools? or things that could have made this even simpler. Maybe I can order a larger cable from ebay, etc., instead of soldering a new one..? ( I have no soldering experience)

 

[StilgarISCA]

Easier Data Connection?

Thanks for posting this. I've been considering doing the same upgrade on my Mid-2010 27" iMac.

One comment however; I believe if you purchase a different Mini PCI-E adapter you can have some much easier solder points to deal with. Look at this listing on Amazon. Notice that it has a separate connector on the side for D+ and D-?

http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00NQAXDW8/

I know from experience that my soldering skills aren't good enough to pull off what you did in your post

 

[MacVidCards]

There are several versions of the adaptor now.

From 2006-8 Mac Pros had the USB lines with the Mini PCIE lines. In 2009they moved them off. So likely that iMacs had similar transition. Earlier machines can use the adaptor with Data lines. Later adaptors even have a nifty plug and wire.

 

[smithphilip1]

Mine looks like this D6 - Black / R15 - Black / D3 - Grey / D2 - Green / D5 - Blue
From iMac mid 2010 27"

I cut them soldered what I though was correct to my board, Wi-Fi and new card working but not the bluetooth help please anyone?

 

[smithphilip1]

Following above post I have soldered R15, D3 and D4 but its not working, however have got USB dongle to work see screen shot but this is not not I was looking to do.

 

[sebastius]

i'd think you have either made an error in the cable-order or your soldering. It's basically a usb connection and should 'just work'. Check the gnd first. If thats
's ok, check the d+ and d- lines. Recount the pins on the connector, maybe you've miscounted. Last resort: swap d+ and d- .

 

[smithphilip1]

i'd think you have either made an error in the cable-order or your soldering. It's basically a usb connection and should 'just work'. Check the gnd first. If thats
's ok, check the d+ and d- lines. Recount the pins on the connector, maybe you've miscounted. Last resort: swap d+ and d- .

Thank you for your reply and time in uploading this post. All working now perfectly! Plus I even went a step future and add an extra antenna and lifted the plate where the Apple badge is and placed another antenna in there for better wi-fi.

I've uploaded an image of my work.

 

[smithphilip1]

sebastius mine was working great until OS X El Capitan have you experienced any issues? I'm now on 10.11.2 and handoff still not working yet it says it will?

 

[Fusgol]

Hi Guys,

Because my iMac's Wifi is the slowest on the planet, I would change the airport card but I have some question:

1) At what USB port you will connect the module?
2) Going in to the Mac's info I noticed that the IR sensor (Used only with the remote) it's connected via USB standard, so we can exclude the IR, to connect the "soldered USB cable"?

In order to do this i found a board with D+ and D- and a connector, do you think it's ok? http://www.ebay.it/itm/Mini-PCI-E-A...94331CD-Upgrated-to-Version-3-0-/121434679715

Thank you! I will appreciate if you can help me!

Sorry for my bad english but I'm italian!

 

[fallen00sniper]

iMac Tools (Torx T6, T8 and T10, suction cup for the screen and some other tools)
BCM94360CD module
An Mini-PCI-E adapter (there are models available with the USB-connections ready to go, get one of those instead of the one i got!)
WLAN extension-cable (or any WLAN coax with plug)

After this, it is simply a matter of reassembling the iMac, booting, enabling Handoff in the settings and you are good to go!

If Handoff is enabled but it doesn't seem to work, try logging out of iCloud and logging in again. Worked for me!

I know this topic is really old, but I find myself starting the same adventure...

With the usb cable, did you tap into one already being used by the old bluetooth adapter or something else?

I've ordered an adapter that may or may not need this modification, but i like to be prepared.

 

[jprs2]

Hi. Am about to attempt this on my 2010 iMac. I'm curious though as to how the module is powered, as you haven't connected VCC, just the USB data lines and ground?