MacBook 5,2 Mid2009 A1181 Bluetooth 4.0 mod

[djlukass]

Hi
I got mint condition white Core2Duo Nvidia laptop but missing continuity etc due to old bluetooth card.

I'm attempting to install BCM94360CD card inside. Please help if you have some knowledge.

eBay Adapter arrived today so the mod begins.

I soldered the connector:
Edit: Please don't install any connectors, case will not close. Solder cables straight to the adapter.

Card installed in the adapter:

more soon...

 

[djlukass]

Connector was a big mistake as it is too big for the case to close. I had to de-solder.
I must've damaged the adapter when desoldering as it's melted a bit, very poor quality board.
WI-FI works but when I'm connecting bluetooth line I have white screen and no boot!
I've tried to swap yellow and green cables but it doesn't want to boot. I'm thinking short on usb data line.
Now I'm stuck as adapter took 3 weeks to arrive from china, I got another one but without USB data inputs. I might try to solder straight to pins on that one. Not good.

 

[djlukass]

Ok adapter is fine, I've check it with multi meter and there is no short and signal going to correct pins.
However Macbook doesn't boot with Bluetooth D+ and D- connected. I've tried fetch data from USB port and old bluetooth card connector and same thing as soon as I connect D+ MacBook won't boot.
There is only 2 possible causes. Bluetooth part on my BCM94360CD combo card is busted or MacBook is.
I've ordered another card and usb 4.0 dongle supported by OSX just in case. This should arrive in 2 days so not bad.

Here is photo of Wireless part of the card working:

 

[djlukass]

More drama. Bluetooth actually works, but only when I hot plug when system is loaded or when apple logo shows up at booting.

Can anybody help me on this? Why system won't boot with bluetooth card connected?
There is no boot screen only boot sound and white screen.
No boot commands works, it doesn't pass initial hardware test. Without D+ connected system boots normally.
Wiring is correct as card is working correctly after hot plug. It's only USB device at the end of the day.


I'm waiting for the new card and usb BT4.0 dongle and we will see how this behaves.

 

[djlukass]

Thanks to some guys on a Polish Mac forum, I nailed the problem. USB signal was interfering with PCI-e line, I covered that pins with tiny strip of electrical tape and everything works.

This MacBook now have 250GB SSD, 6GB Ram and fast wireless and native bluetooth 4.0.
I removed DVD drive later I'll add 1TB drive in it's space.

Hope that this will help someone, nobody replied here but good luck anyway.

 

[axd1152]

Can u do this to late 2008 aluminuim macbook 13"?

 

[brdeveloper]

This MacBook now have 250GB SSD, 6GB Ram and fast wireless and native bluetooth 4.0.

Nice job! I don't own an iPhone (yet), so I don't think I need the extra BT4.0 features.

 

[axd1152]

Hello!
I have 13 inch late 2008 aluminium macbook. What are my options?
I've found this 2-in-1 wifi+bluetooth card on ebay that is indicated to be Mac Os compatible.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/150Mbps-USB...469492?hash=item25c09041f4:g:-G4AAOSwbsBXkcml

Do you think this will work to get all the new features to work on my old machine? I've installed Sierra on it, as well as installed 6gb ram and 256gb ssd. So, it's still a strong machine for me, but I really want to be able to use airplay, continuty, hand off, newly introduced in sierra same buffer for all devices.

Since my model has the adaptor build in the hindge of the screen, I think I can not repace it with the one shown on the first post of the thread. Am i right?

 

[Keeganab]

do you want to sell your product? i have macbook black from 2008 and i need bt 4.0

 

[brdeveloper]

Nice mod... I'd like doing it on my 2010 and 2012 Mac Minis. Actually the 2012 Mini is BT4, but not of the LE kind. Bluetooth LE is necessary to get Continuity working without any slowness. On my 2012 Mini, sometimes it works, sometimes not. My Macbook Pro was modded with a LE chip and continuity works way better.