LED CinemaDisplay with cut TB connector repairable?

[HoreaG]

Somebody is offering an LED Cinema Display for cheap as the Thunderbolt connector is missing. Is this an easy repair and what do I need on components to do it? Is it as simple as cut the end of a Thunderbolt cable and solder it to this cable or does it imply some chip?

L.E.: Sorry, I mean a mini Displayport cable, this monitor is only the precursor of the Thunderbold one as I just realised my mistake.

 

[curnalpanic]

First off, this is obviously not the Cinema display (which came before) but the 2011 Thunderbolt model. </End nitpick.>

I found this great site called iFixit. They seem to have a lot of tips on how to fix various gadgets.

For example:

Apple Thunderbolt Display Thunderbolt & MagSafe Cable Replacement

This guide shows you how to replace the all-in-one Display and MagSafe cable of your Apple Thunderbolt Display.

www.ifixit.com

Fortunately, it has a standard thunderbolt connector internally. So worst case, you could open it up and replace it with a new cable. Then you'd have two cables coming out the back, but should work I think.

I don't know how well soldering it would work, but presumably if you're comfortable with that it could be an option.

 

[Chucks4me]

This is the Cinema Display as it has the USB connector as well.
Thunderbolt Display has only Thunderbolt and MagSafe.
Ifixit has the guides and the cable assemblies you can find on eBay.

 

[Fishrrman]

Unless you can get that display for next-to-nothing
and
Unless you are SURE of your abilities to get the required parts to fix it
then
I WOULD NOT recommend that you buy anything that is obviously broken.

Just NOT a good idea...

 

[curnalpanic]

This is the Cinema Display as it has the USB connector as well.
Thunderbolt Display has only Thunderbolt and MagSafe.
Ifixit has the guides and the cable assemblies you can find on eBay.

Ah you’re right. Sorry about that. Got confused by the cut off bits.

 

[HoreaG]

It is the A1267, EMC2263. Cinema Display LED from 2008 to 2010. 24".
He wants around 50 €.
My problem is that I would like a 27" better.
If simply soldering an end piece works, than I would do it. If I have to disassemble the entire monitor, I am not sure I want to invest the time.

Chucks4me: You mean instructions for the LED model or the instructions for the TB model that curnalpanic delivered the link? I can not find the instructions for the LED model.​

 

[chrfr]

It is the A1267, EMC2263. Cinema Display LED from 2008 to 2010. 24".
He wants around 50 €.

I would not spend any money on this at all. These are old enough that compatibility with newer computers is becoming increasingly challenging, and in general they're old and reliability will suffer as they age.

 

[Chucks4me]

Here is the link for the service manual, page 70 is the cable.

led_cinema_display_24.pdf - iFixit

Repair your electronics yourself. iFixit is the repair manual you can edit. We sell tools, parts and upgrades for Apple Mac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, and MacBook as well as game consoles.

www.ifixit.com

The cables for the 24 are pretty scarce, there is a high probability the cable from the 27" monitor might just work as well.

As the others already mentioned, don't spend money on a broken monitor.

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

It is the A1267, EMC2263. Cinema Display LED from 2008 to 2010. 24".
He wants around 50 €.
My problem is that I would like a 27" better.
If simply soldering an end piece works, than I would do it. If I have to disassemble the entire monitor, I am not sure I want to invest the time.

Chucks4me: You mean instructions for the LED model or the instructions for the TB model that curnalpanic delivered the link? I can not find the instructions for the LED model.​

I wouldn't pay 50 EUR for a broken 24" 1080p monitor.
You can try rewiring it to a normal size DisplayPort cable to see if it works, provided that you got it for free.
27" 1440p is considerable.

 

[laptech]

Do not buy because you have no way of knowing if the monitor actually works because you could resolder on a new connector and still nothing happens.

ONLY buy if you can get a written guarantee from the seller that the monitor was actually working prior to the cable being damaged. If the seller is not prepared to do this then do not buy because to me the sellers action tells me there is more to this monitor than is being told.

 

[fompsweeva]

Apparently you can also connect via the thunderbolt connector on the back panel. So you may not even have to replace the cable assembly.

 

[DeltaMac]

Apparently you can also connect via the thunderbolt connector on the back panel. So you may not even have to replace the cable assembly.

No, the Cinema Display does not have a Thunderbolt connector anywhere. Only on the actual ThunderBolt display.

 

[fompsweeva]

No, the Cinema Display does not have a Thunderbolt connector anywhere. Only on the actual ThunderBolt display.

You're right, I was thrown off by the first reply that incorrectly stayed that OP actually had a Thunderbolt display.