Display and backlight not functioning

alpha76

New member
Hi,

I have a dear old macbook pro A1398 early 2013 with a smashed display. I bought a replacement screen, attempted to fit it, but i seem to have blown a chip on the motherboard. I did not disconnect the battery cable and the laptop turned on while i was holding the motherboard! Consequently, i cannot get the display to work with either displays. I've watched one of Ross's videos on the same laptop where he repaired the GPU vcore. I have a multimedia to test what i need to. Would i need a schematic of the logic board? Can you help? Many thanks, look forward to your reply.
 

alpha76

New member
Hi,

The m/b number is 820-3071-A.

It does chime and the USB charges the mouse when i switch the laptop on. No display or backlight though :-(

I cannot see any noticeable blown chips, i was just assuming that i had blown something when i touched the motherboard.

By the way, i have tried several of the resets that i found online and from calling Apple support
 

2informaticos

Administrator
Staff member
820-3071-A is the code for RIO board. MLB should be 820-3332, Isuppose.

Do you still get steady light on USB mouse if disconnect/reconnect with machine on?
Do you get external video?

Check voltage at pins 9, 28-30 of J9000 (LCD connected).
Be sure L9000 and all FL9000-03 are good.
 

alpha76

New member
I have just connected an hdmi to external monitor and i do get a display, albeit not the usual one. It's a grey background with a mouse cursor. THere's no menu or terminal, that i can see..shall i still test the pins?
 

2informaticos

Administrator
Staff member
You should get the same at internal LCD too.
Disconnect external monitor and measure at J9000 with internal LCD connected.
 

alpha76

New member
From looking at the schematic the J9000 is the LCD interface connector?

The pins are tiny and im assuming i may need specialised equipement?

All i have is an ordinary multimeter....
 

2informaticos

Administrator
Staff member
Look at boardview and choose any components for the same pins to test.
Also buy "fine multimeter probes" from any online store...
 

alpha76

New member
I have only just received the probes. Can you confirm what settings are needed for the multimeter?

No, i havent reflowed U8900 !!! Are you suggesting that is what's broken? I was assuming the J9000 was the culprit here??
 

JohnB8812

New member
U8900 is a super common cause for this issue on this model. Resolder the joints and reflow it Louis has plenty of videos walking you through how to do it.
 
Top