Fixing a 2009 Macbook Screen

[macbookupgrade]

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.

 

[Altemose]

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.

That model does have an inverter and the cables can sometimes go bad after years of wear and tear of opening and closing the hinge. The MacBook Pro and MacBook Air were much less likely to have these cable strain issues.

 

[macbookupgrade]

One other thing is it will stay at 100% brightness when I first start it up for five minutes, but then after awhile of having my desktop loaded, the screen will go black. Could that still be the inverter and/or the cable?

 

[Altemose]

One other thing is it will stay at 100% brightness when I first start it up for five minutes, but then after awhile of having my desktop loaded, the screen will go black. Could that still be the inverter and/or the cable?

Sounds like the inverter. Furthermore, if that issue appears when the hinge is opened and closed you can almost guarantee that it is the inverter or cable. Replace both the inverter and the cable at the same time! If you need part numbers, let me know otherwise you can order them in from iFixit Parts, PowerBook Medic, Amazon, eBay, etc.

 

[macbookupgrade]

Sounds like the inverter. Furthermore, if that issue appears when the hinge is opened and closed you can almost guarantee that it is the inverter or cable. Replace both the inverter and the cable at the same time! If you need part numbers, let me know otherwise you can order them in from iFixit Parts, PowerBook Medic, Amazon, eBay, etc.

Thanks, i'll see if that works.

 

[Altemose]

Thanks, i'll see if that works.

Report back if you have anymore questions!