How I do I fix my 2009 macbook screen that goes black?

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How I do I fix my 2009 macbook screen that goes black?

So, I have had this model (Processor - 2.13 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Memory - 2 GB 800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM) for six years. I am running Mavericks and started noticing that when I adjust the screen past 30% brightness, it goes black. What I mean by this, is I can barely see the what's on the screen, without any backlight (if I hold it up to a light source I can see what the screen is displaying). I have been told that this model does not have an inverter, so I am wondering what I would be replacing. I have a brand new battery from Apple (which didn't help the issue at all).

One thing I noticed when unplugged (not charging) is if I start the screen at a 90 degree angle between the keyboard and the screen, I can keep my screen at 100% brightness. If I go to close my laptop, decreasing that angle, I can still keep my screen at 100% brightness. It is only when I go from decreasing that angle to opening it back up (from 20 degrees to 65 degrees), that the screen will go black. Once the angle between the screen and keyboard is greater than 90, I can go back and forth, without the screen going black.

MacBook, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4), None

Posted on Mar 21, 2015 2:51 PM

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Answer 1

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SeaPapp

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Mar 21, 2015 3:23 PM in response to tmdj

I believe it's the late 2009 macbooks that don't have an inverter board, yours is a mid 2009 and does. From reading your post I would replace both the inverter board and the inverter cable.

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Answer 2

tmdj Author

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Mar 21, 2015 4:25 PM in response to SeaPapp

Thanks Mike Sombrio. Since I am replacing the inverter board and the inverter cable, would you also replace the LCD panel? I believe this is the right panel: https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/MacBook-13-3-Inch-LCD-Panel/IF186-050-1 . If so, would you just order these three parts (inverter cable, display inverter, and the LCD panel), https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/MacBook-13-3-Inch-LCD-Panel/IF186-050-1 , https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/MacBook-Display-Inverter/IF186-038 , and http://www.amazon.com/Replacement-922-8281-Macbook-Inverter-Cable/dp/B00BUA8T20 . Or would you just get the entire MacBook 13.3" Santa Rosa/Penryn Display Assembly found here: https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/MacBook-13-3-Inch-Santa-Rosa-Penryn-Display-*** embly/IF186-047-1 ? I do need to confirm that the Apple part numbers are correct for my laptop model. Is there a way to find this on the Apple website?

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Answer 3

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,486 points

Mar 21, 2015 5:20 PM in response to tmdj

It seems a bit of a stretch to me that all three are bad but if thats what you want to do go for it. As far as part numbers go I would contact iFixIt to make aure that you're getting the right pieces.

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Answer 4

spudnuty

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Mar 22, 2015 9:09 AM in response to tmdj

" It is only when I go from decreasing that angle to opening it back up (from 20 degrees to 65 degrees), that the screen will go black"

It seems to me that a positional problem like this is most likely the inverter cable.

I have an early 2008 MacBook display that was doing this. It would run all day at around 30% but would go black at anything above 75%. I've swapped it around so much I'm not sure which parts besides the display itself were with the problem one. My note on it says it was the backlight itself. I originally blamed the inverter driver but the problem moved with the display and swapping in a know good inverter board didn't help.

I'm sure I would have checked position but now I think I should double check.

So that first one is just the LCD panel.

"Does not include backlight inverter"

Don't see how the LCD would have anything to do with a backlight problem.

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Answer 5

tmdj Author

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Mar 22, 2015 5:33 PM in response to spudnuty

I wanted to check for any hardware issue by performing an AHT (Apple Hardware Test), prior to ordering the parts. However, when I start up after a shutdown, it won't let me get to the AHT, by pressing the D key. I have also tried D and the command keys together, along with the option and D keys together, but nothing seems to work. Am I doing something wrong? I know that the option, command, and D keys definitely work.

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Answer 6

SeaPapp

Level 7

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Mar 22, 2015 5:52 PM in response to tmdj

To run AHT you need disc two of your original gray install set. But I don't believe AHT tests that particular hardware.

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Answer 7

tmdj Author

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Mar 24, 2015 1:31 PM in response to SeaPapp

I have one additional question. So, I heard similar complaints that resolved the issue by replacing the Macbook Display Data cable. Could someone explain why it is more likely to be the inverter board and cable and not the data cable?

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Answer 8

spudnuty

Level 5

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Mar 24, 2015 4:31 PM in response to tmdj

"(if I hold it up to a light source I can see what the screen is displaying)"

So the LVDS cable supplies the video signal to the LCD panel. If you're seeing video on the screen then that cable is doing it's job.

The inverter cable supplies power to the inverter board that bumps the voltage up to power the backlight.

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