2009 Macbook White Unibody won't Power On

[charris247]

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I have been combing the threads to find a solution to my problem without any luck. I have a late 2009 Macbook Unibody, that won't power on. I brought it to Apple and they did a number of tests including the G3hot short and said that I needed a new logic board. Instead of having them charge me $500 I went online and bough a new one.

I installed it today hoping the issue would be resolved and it still won't power on. I have gone through the process of resetting the SMC and still no luck.

Any ideas what the issue could be. I have found an Apple Authorized Repair center in my area that I can bring it too but was hoping to get an opinion from you all first. At this point I am fairly certain it is not the logic board but don't know what other tests I can do.

Thanks in advance
Neil

 

[rapicell]

Are you sure you put it in correct? Everything is connected, nothing got shorted out?

 

[charris247]

Yes I even used anti static gloves. Basically I am getting the same results I had before installing the new logic board. I am thinking it may not be a logic board issue, but don't have the knowledge to rule out anything else.

 

[DeltaMac]

Do you hear anything (drive starting, other noise from DVD drive, etc) after pressing the power button?
Press and hold the power button for five seconds, then press and release the power button.
wait a minute or two, then try pressing the caps lock key. Do you get a light on that caps lock key? If you do, then the system is getting power.
If no response, no noise, no lights, nothing - then it could be as simple as a bad or sticking power button. There's an internal access on the logic board to bypass the power button. You would need the service manual to find where those are, or take your MacBook to a service shop. An authorized service shop should be able to check that out quite quickly.
I think it's unlikely that your replacement logic board is "new", but is removed from another MacBook. Could even have the same problem as your old logic board, although that would be a sick coincidence, eh?
Take to a shop.

 

[charris247]

When I plug into power and then hit Shift-Control-Option and the Power button I do hear some noise. Also the LED on the mag safe adapter changes from orange to green and then back to orange.

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Ok so I just followed the instructions in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YC1Y94eE5w

and was able to get it to power on. So does that mean my power button is shot? I disconnect the ribbon from the keyboard as instructed in the video.

 

[bizzle]

The power button is the issue. The retards at the genius bar just don't know how to diagnose issues. You need a new top case.

 

[charris247]

Thanks for the help. Are you able to point me in the direction of the top case?

 

[bizzle]

Thanks for the help. Are you able to point me in the direction of the top case?

Apple part number 661-5396 or 661-5590. Whatever you find cheaper will work. Don't know what country you live in so it's hard to say where to buy it. Where ever you buy it will probably be really marked up though. Through GSX they are $91.95 (stock price) with overnight shipping, but obviously that is not an option for you.

 

[charris247]

Is there no way to just replace the power button?

 

[bizzle]

Is there no way to just replace the power button?

Nope, at least not without a lot of rigging.

 

[mlsimmons]

I purchased a parts book unibody macbook and then purchased a motherboard on ebay for $150. when I installed it the power on key didn't work either. when I took it apart to look closer, I found that the ribbon cable for the keyboard could be inserted farther than what I had done initially even though the insertion had looked ok when I first did it. The power on button worked fine- unfortunately number keys 1 thru 5 didn't so I do need a new keyboard- everything else now works fine - moral - check to see if the keyboard ribbon cable is fully inserted