Chosen Solution
Hi, I have a macbook screen with a burnt out backlight (from a 2006 macbook, 1.83 GHz Core 2 Duo). I KNOW it is the backlight from these reasons: The correct image shows up on the LCD, but it is extremely dim. Other screens work correctly on the macbook, so it can’t be the logic board. The screen data cable is known to work (worked fine with a different screen). The inverter is known to work (worked fine with a different screen). The backlight cable is in good condition. I understand the backlight repair is difficult, but I do have soldering experience, and the bulbs are so inexpensive. Does anyone know how/where I can find instructions for the repair? Or is it so difficult that I should just get rid of it? Thanks.
Yes it’s a difficult job to replace the backlight bulb in a LCD screen. This little lamp is so fragile and difficult to manipulate without breaking it. You must desolder a wire at each end of the backlight, pulling it out of the LCD, pushing a new one in and redo the solder on both ends. If you decide to do the job, one advice: order at least two lamps in case you damage one during installation. You can buy them at http://www.digikey.com/ and find a tutorial online. Another less complicated option is to buy a macbook broken lcd screen of ebay just make sure the backlight is working and replace the whole backlight assembly (swap the assembly between the two screens). Easier job than swapping just the lamp (no solder to do, less chance to damage the fragile lamp, etc). Good luck :-)
I’ve been selling and repairing Macintosh computers for many years, and suggesting a backlight replacement as a fix for this problem is just way over the top! Generally speaking these display panels are fairly inexpensive… roughly $50 for a brand new bare panel, half that for a used part, and they’re readily available. The time it takes to remove and replace the backlight alone exceeds the cost of a new panel altogether. However, the most efficient way to proceed with this particular repair is to purchase a complete used display assembly, replacing the damaged piece altogether. You’re looking at spending 45 minutes to an hour, depending on your level of experience, to swap the complete display assembly, and with an expense of less then $50 you just can’t beat the cost.
