PS3 Advice to solder the wifi module on a PS3 Slim

[diegoteis]

Hello and thanks everyone. (Sorry for my English, I'm doing my best.)
A week ago, I bought a PS3 CECH-2511A without a hard drive.
The seller told me that it's not working, but it turns on.
After trying some things, I managed to install the PS3 OS (using a tutorial). The problem is the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module.
I've always wanted to learn how to solder, and maybe this is a good starting point.
I saw some people say it's more or less easy, so I thought I'd try it.
I appreciate any advice, and thanks again to everyone.

 

[kadorna2]

if you installed firmware your bt/wifi module is working, or at least half working, otherwise you should've gotten an error code and wouldn't be able to finish installing. have you checked the coax cables? these are becoming brittle with time and can break easily if bent too hard.

 

[diegoteis]

if you installed firmware your bt/wifi module is working, or at least half working, otherwise you should've gotten an error code and wouldn't be able to finish installing. have you checked the coax cables? these are becoming brittle with time and can break easily if bent too hard.

Thx for the reply.
At first, the PS3 was always giving me the error 8002F1F9 when installing. After looking up the code, I found that it was a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth problem.
Then, I followed some steps I found on Reddit, but it was a bit weird because you have to pull the HDD out during the installation a few times. So, I used an old 80GB HDD from a laptop to avoid damaging a good one, and it worked but the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth still don't work. I have to use the controller with a cable.

And when I saw the error 8002F1F9 for the fourth time, I changed the coax cables with the one from my own PS3, but the same error happened.

Heres the guide from reddit:

1- Download the same version you had installed before the error to occur, of the Official Firmware on a USB stick, formatted in FAT32. IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHICH VERSION YOU HAD BEFORE, you'll be able to see it written on your monitor during the steps 5-7. The correct version to use is the one specified on the screen, "use version X.XX or higher". Inside the USB stick the folder structure must be "PS3" > "UPDATE" > "PS3UPDAT.PUP" (Search for "ps3 usb update folder structure" on Google).
2- Insert the USB stick in your PS3 when it's off.
3- Turn on your PS3, count 5seconds (in my case it worked with this timing) and extract the HDD (look up on YT/Internet how to do it, it is really simple.
4- If you have done this wrong, a blue screen is displayed. Unplug the power and try again this procedure. If you have done this correctly, you should now see a screen that ask you to connect your controller via USB and press the PS Button. Connect the controller and press it.
5- Insert again the HDD.
6- Press SELECT + START and wait for the PS system to detect the update inside the USB. If it doesn't detect anything, the folder structure is wrong or the USB Stick isn't formatted on FAT32.
7- Wait for the system to initialize the update. The PS3 will restart. When you reach the Terms of Service and Agreement screen, accept and proceed to the installation.
8- Now it should again show you the error. Wait for the PS3 to turn off automatically. It will also restart automatically.
9- After it restarts, wait again 5 seconds (or the time that worked for you in the first point) and pull out the HDD. It shoul show again the screen that asks you to connect the controller via USB.
10- After you connect the controller via USB and press the PS Button, insert again the HDD. Now follow the same procedure as before (SELECT + START, wait for the inizialization, ecc. ecc.)
11- This time, when you reach the Terms of Service and Agreement screen, DO NOT ACCEPT THEM and ABORT THE INSTALLATION. The PS3 will restart.
12- After a little time it should power up, ask you to accept the HDMI/VGA input mode, ask you to set the date and the time and bring you to the PS3 XMB (home screen).
13- The PS3 should now work correctly, without loosing any of the past data you had on it.

 

[kadorna2]

okay so you do have a dead wifi module. you can replace bga chips using a soldering station with hot air and flux, heat for around 2 minutes at medium heat low-mid airflow until you can nudge it and it moves which means the solder is melted just take it out the motherboard using twizers or something then clean the pads in the mobo and drop the replacement using the same method

 

[NightLess]

It is not necessarily that the Bluetooth module is damaged, it may be its power supply circuit. I have a 2512 Slim with the same problem. The power supply circuit outputs 5v voltage to the Bluetooth module, causing the Bluetooth module to not work. The normal output voltage is 2.3v. I modified the circuit and it worked.

 

[diegoteis]

It is not necessarily that the Bluetooth module is damaged, it may be its power supply circuit. I have a 2512 Slim with the same problem. The power supply circuit outputs 5v voltage to the Bluetooth module, causing the Bluetooth module to not work. The normal output voltage is 2.3v. I modified the circuit and it worked.

I went to my PS3 to check that.
Looking at the motherboard, there was nothing near the Bluetooth module, but behind it, there was this chip.

Written on it is 117 463A. I checked all the pins, and these are the results:

5.5V - - 3.3V
3.3V- -0
3.3V- -0
5.4V- -2.5V

I found the cip, is a Mitsumi 463A.

Are the voltages right? I'm not sure, sorry guys. I've never done this before.

 

[NightLess]

Usually it caused by the buck converter(blue ring) or filter capacitor,measure whether its output rail has voltage about 2.3v. If not ~2.3v is buck or cap fault, If there have voltage output,Probably Bluetooth/WIFI module faulty.

 

[diegoteis]

Usually it caused by the buck converter(blue ring) or filter capacitor,measure whether its output rail has voltage about 2.3v. If not ~2.3v is buck or cap fault, If there have voltage output,Probably Bluetooth/WIFI module faulty.

Okay, i did check the pinst and look for some info.

The two components to the left of the chip have 5.5V. On the first pin at the top left, I read 3.3V, and there's nothing on the other five pins. All the components to the right are shorted.
The chip is marked as J7L. I found a video of someone testing it, and it should have 5.5V input and output 2.3V or 1.8V.
It might be this chip:

It should take up to 5V and convert it to 2.3V, but mine takes 3.3V and outputs nothing.