Black screen, power light malfunction.

So this is first time this has happened. I went and opened my older model black MacBook and the screen was black. However I knew it was working because I could hear the volume toggles move as I pressed them. However the brightness keys did nothing. Also the power indicator is off. I noticed that when I shut the the lid the power light turns white and if I open the lid I get a good 3 seconds of the screen to work.

Anybody have an idea to what's happening?