iMac 2011 27inch i7 screen flicker dark left side

I've used before a few years ago, but not since Leopard 10.5. Good to know its still working well!

Well, I just picked up my iMac from the Apple certified repair store and it's great now! I'm so happy to have this fixed, it's really bright. The repairs were covered under apple warranty and I was told by the tech that this is a known issue and he's had to replace several screens with the left side dim.

Apple sent a new display, but also told him to replace the backlight control. Apple shipped both screen and BLC next day, the tech said the screens have been upgraded.

Thought I'd share my results,

Scott

I guess I will have to look at the fans and give them a good cleaning since we have moved 2 times in that period and I am sure the dust has collected...thanks

how did you ge to the fans and CPU unit?

Carefully. However, I wouldn't do it, even though i've built electronic components and TVs. Mucking inside an iMac takes skill, special tools, and luck. Best to let Apple's repair stations do that. For the brave start with http://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/33476/How+to+take+apart+mac+27in+computer. I watched them take mine apart when they replaced the HD under warranty. Although I'm good, it's really a two-person job and you best have the tools, especially the screen and glass cover cleaners.

better just leave it alone...I have the bigger issue of the left side flickering and dimming out....cannot believe apple will not fix a large problem that so many people have at one time...oh well

same here that is why I did not get the warranty..now I wish I had...missed it by 18 days when screen went dim...hopefully they do a major recall and get this mess fixed....

there should some kind of recall...I am seeing way too many examples plus mine that should not be there......hopefully they will see it and correct the problem soon....

just to let everyone know I got a call today from an apple rep and they are going to replace my display for FREE even though the warranty is just past the year...I am very happy.....just have to drop computer off in Knoxville and pick up 2 days later.....it will be nice to have a bright screen again...glad I switched from PC to Apple...even with this glitch...

Thanks for the feedback. Glad Apple made it good for you. BTW, AppleCare extended warranty is the cheapest insurance you can get for desktop machines. The display replacement they did for me cost about $600 USD, according to the invoice. Too bad you missed that deadline.

missed the deadline but thankful they are making good on their product...I suspect since mine was just the front of the new model there were issues....I wish I had done the apple care and if it happens again I will....

Hey,

Having already been through the display replacement process, I just wanted to chime in and say it's great to hear your display is getting replaced!

Scott

brought it in on thursday and was told it would take 3-5 days...got call on friday that it was ready...WOW...already home with it and happy with the service.....

I'm experiencing the exact same problem on my 27 i7 Late 2009 iMac (Bought on February 2010). The flickering issues were there from day 1 as well as the buzzing sound when the display is "sleeping", but almost ceased with one of the firmware updates. Now, i noticed that the dimming in the left side of screen is not as bright as the right side and if a press the front panel, it flickers and went back to almost normal dimming but after a short period i get the darker zone again and it's getting worse. It's very noticeable when you use a plain white background and brightness level set to medium or below. Very very annoying when you work, specially with photos.

My iMac is out of warranty and i didn't purchase Apple care back in the day. Anyway, i'll call Apple and ask for a warranty exception as this is a widespread factory problem.

I'll let you know.

Ok, i have contacted Apple Support via Express Lane ticket and then calling and they told me that i need to contact my local Apple Premium Reseller to get physical support there. I called the nearby Premium reseller (100 Km from my house) detailing the problem, mentioning the expired warranty period and asking for exception to the warranty due to the widespread problem with the display and they said that they need Apple approvement to make warranty exceptions after the team of the Premium Reseller team has inspectioned my iMac and emited a proforma invoice with the total amount that the repair will cost me, furthermore they indicated that they will charge me 60€ just for inspectioning the iMac despite i accept the proforma or not and they don't guarantee that Apple will accept the warranty exception.

So, i reject to being charged 60€ just to look at the problem (Plus the 500€ the display replacement would cost plus all the time and gas used to get there from here).

I felt brave enough to repair the screen myself and i did it in less than 5 minutes and the problem is now gone.

I'll upload later a few photos, videos and a quick guide to repair it yourself at 0 cost and without any tools (No suction cups, no nothing except for some object or strips to make pressure between the glass and the screen).