Will this need an LCD change?

[DrCC]

Long story short, I spilled coffee over the keyboard. The laptop survived because I turned it upside down and quickly blew dry the coffee with an air gun.
The right speaker is busted and needs to be changed, but the coffee also got inside the screen (see pic). I think I most likely pushed the coffee inside the screen with the air gun, I couldn't stop using it because coffee was still coming out.

Can the screen be dissasembled and wipe the coffee away or will this need an LCD change?

 

[jav6454]

Two things:

1. What is my avatar doing there, Lol?
2. Very likely you'll need a display change. To be sure, I'd take it to Apple for a complete diagnostic to ensure nothing else is damaged.

 

[DrCC]

I think I was searching for a similar thread and you showed up there.
I'll take it to a store, the screen is starting to detach already, it is not glued to the glass.
I saved the laptop by blowing the coffee out, but I killed the display instead ?

 

[jav6454]

It's better to take it in right now as the damage can be contained.

 

[DrCC]

The laptop is fine, the logic board is not damaged, everything works. I left it running for 6 hours with Prime95 in full load and it didn't crash, temps are fine. It's just the display and the right speaker that need to be changed.

I just came back from the Apple store and they quoted me $1100 for the repair. According to their policy they have to change everything that came in contact with the liquid (includes the LCD, keyboard, audio board, right speaker, touch ID, audio board). I can't pay that much and I won't. I am a techie and I can easily open up the laptop and change the whole LCD assembly and the speaker on my own, it is not difficult to do.
But the problem is, how do I buy an original Apple LCD and a speaker (maybe an audio board)? Apple recently started the Right to repair thing, but it is only for iPhones, they won't sell me an LCD and a speaker. I even called Apple and they won't ship replacement parts either. Crazy. Where do independent repair shops buy Apple parts?

 

[jav6454]

Ahh, good thing the logic board is fine and hot dang on that quote. Authorize repair shops get parts from Apple. Other repair shops get them from non-OEM manufacturers mainly. Sometimes they do get OEM parts.

Quick question, is this an older MBA or an M1 MBA?

 

[DrCC]

M1 MBA.
I see lot of "compatible" replacement screens online, but I want to get the same quality LCD with the same clarity, brightness, etc, that Apple puts in, nut just a cheaper screen. I would have happily paid the Apple genius bar the price for the part, but they won't sell me one.

EDIT: I found a source HERE, it says Genuine Apple. Is there a way to check if the display is Genuine Apple or 3rd part replacement ?

 

[jav6454]

Have you tried iFixIt? Also, given that price tag for repair, it makes more sense to buy a new Mac. Wasteful on Apple's part.

 

[DrCC]

I have a maxed out M1 Air (16GB, 2TB), buying a new one is not an option especially when it still works. I won't give in to Apple's pressure tactics. Worst case I'll take it to an independent repair shop and I'll have the parts changed cheaper than Apple, but I am trying to save some money here by doing it myself because for me it is an easy job to do.

I am not the typical Apple guy, I have been with Windows and constantly opening up PCs for the last 20 years, I have changed parts on laptops before because I could easily buy OEM parts. I never ran into the issue of "we won't sell you the replacement parts" though ...

 

[jav6454]

Welcome to the Mac world then, where OEM parts are hard and expensive to come by. Yes, Apple dislikes it when you DIY repairs on Macs.

Agree with you on the buying, which is why I stated it was wasteful. I would continue suggesting you buy from iFixit. They have been selling certified Mac OEM parts for quite some time now.

 

[DrCC]

I just checked, iFixit doesn't sell replacement screens in Canada. Dang. And if I buy it from them in the US and have it shipped somehow, it ends up more than what Apple is charging to have the screen replaced. Dang again.

 

[jav6454]

Sorry to hear it gets difficult. Evaluate the risk from your original search. I haven't heard of them, so I can't give you a thumbs up there.

 

[VaruLV]

AFAIK its never good to use blow dryer or any other source of excessive air pressure and heat when dealing with wet electronics, its supposedly better to leave them to dry out without any help, aside perhaps placing it inside/around some liquid absorbing substances, but not heating up with a heat gun etc. It might introduce accelerated corrosion.

 

[JPack]

MacBook Air 13-inch A2337 (2020) LCD Assembly Screen Replacement

MacBook Air 13-inch A2337 (2020) LCD Assembly Screen Replacement

shop.rewa.tech

For speakers, not sure if there's an easy supply. You might have buy salvaged.

 

[DrCC]

The speakers can be found on eBay and a few other places.

Finding an original Apple screen is a challenge though. I just had a chat with a repair shop, they have confirmed that 3rd party screens are a bit dimmer and not at the same quality as the Apple screen. They could also install an original Apple screen but their fee is about $100 more than what Apple would charge to do it. Apple charges less for the screen replacement but also wants to change almost all the insides of the laptop even though it is fine.

I'll keep on looking for an original display, the coffee from under the screen dried up and the only thing that remains is a very slight brownish tint in the corner, I could definitely use the laptop like this until I can source a new OEM screen and I'll change it myself. I had an itch to do the thermal pads mod on the M1 chip for a while and I haven't because it was under warranty, I might as well do it now once I open it up.

 

[jav6454]

Here is the thing at this point, while right now the parts that were covered in coffee are working fine, they may later end up non-functional.

I have seen it before in hardware equipment for super expensive devices I work with. I would suggest you give the Apple quote a second thought. Yes, it's hard pill to swallow.

 

[DrCC]

I couldn't help it and I opened it up today. The coffee is limited to the right speaker and the screen, the audio board is spotless and so are the rest of the components. The Air M1 is actually "easy" to fix, easier than some Windows laptops I opened up in the past and except the screen, replacement parts are available online form a lot of different vendors.

I actually found a brand new top case that includes the top case metal, keyboard, battery, speakers, touchpad for only $333 CAD. A replacement keyboard alone from the Apple store is $351 CAD. So in case something goes, I can always replace it later and it doesn't cost a fortune if I do it myself.

Besides, I have less than 6 months of official warranty left, but I have 2 extra years of coverage offered by the credit card that I used when I bought it. That will cover any out of warranty repairs if I ever need it or until the M2 Air comes along.

 

[jav6454]

Seems like you have it covered now. Good thing then you used your CC.

 

[Jumpthesnark]

Was just going to tell you I found some replacements on eBay here, but it sounds like you have it taken care of. Good luck!

 

[DrCC]

Was just going to tell you I found some replacements on eBay here, but it sounds like you have it taken care of. Good luck!

Those are not original OEM displays. The first sign is they don't have the Apple logo on them. And even those that have the logo, are compatible, but not original Apple quality displays. Most of these are slightly dimmer or have various amounts of backlight bleed at the edges. Plus the camera and true tone module are most likely not Apple parts. The only guarantee to get an original Apple Display assembly outside of the Apple Genius Bar is a part pulled from an Apple laptop (with a defective logic board for example), but these are hard to find and expensive. Most of the people with a cracked screen don't care or don't notice the difference in panel quality when they have it replaced, but I am sure I will.

The coffee has almost dried up and the only thing remaining is a slight brownish tint.
I also found an YouTube guide with the LCD change only, not the whole assembly. I am thinking I can remove the LCD only, clean the coffee stain with isopropyl alcohol, then put the same LCD back. This way I don't have to change the screen assembly and I can keep it all original. Plus it is a lot cheaper.
I am still investigating this method, I need to source some adhesive strips first that will get destroyed during the disassembly process.

 

[focusduster]

How did you get around True Tone ? Does this need to be programmed by Apple ?