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MacBook display inverter issue

macbook 13" A1181 4.1

I've replaced my Macbook display inverter once and worked fine until now. Now the screen dims and does not stay on when I try to maximize brightness. I can fiddle with the brightness controls and get a workable brightness, but if I fiddle slightly too far, the screen goes dark (and I can still see the desktop with a flashlight). I have to then back the controls off, change resolution, and fiddle some more until I find that "sweet spot."

Needless to say this was an unacceptable pain.

I then ordered a new display inverter. The new one will brighten properly for a second when I change resolutions, then immediately dim (I can unplug the left/black plug and replug and it will also just brighten, then dim as before) It also won't boot to proper brightness on restart. I cannot fiddle and find a "sweet spot" with the new one so I switched back to the old replacement. The old replacement worked as it did before; meaning I have to fiddle (switching or wiggling didn't create new/different issues.)

Both inverters reproduce their respective issues when switched, so the cable produces consistent results.

My guess is that I've just gotten a bad replacement inverter. Both were from IFIXIT and I'm wondering if I'm just unlucky with replacement inverters or could it be something else?

Answer this question I have this problem too

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This could very likely be a completely separate issue involving the logic board, do you have a multimeter that you can use? This would help to isolate the issue, as it is likely not the inverter at fault.

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Unfortunately, I don't have a multimeter, but it looks like that will be my next purchase. I'm hoping the $15-20 or so range will yield sufficiently accurate results?

Thanks for your response.

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Yeah, that should be sufficient, just get a digital one!

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Hey Sam,

I purchased a multimeter and have realized, never having used one, that I could easily cause myself many more problems than my 'current' one. I was hoping the process was semi-straightforward, but my knowledge of electrical current, settings, and voltage measure is lacking.

To compound the problem, I'm not familiar with terms, so I'm easily lost in online explanations. I'll keep looking for more remedial presentations but for now, I'm rather over my head with using a multimeter.

Do you have any suggestions?

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Can you find out how to set your multimeter to voltage measuring mode? If so, I can show you where to put the probes on your motherboard to get readings.

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Have you reset the Power Manager or PRAM? They both have some affect on these systems.

Reset PRAM - Turn off MacBook. Find and get ready to hold the following keys as soon as you hear the boot chime: OPTION -COMMAND-P-R

Hold them down until you hear the chime 2 times then release keys and let it boot.

Reset Power Manager -

If a Mac Book with a removable battery do this:

1. Remove battery

2. Connect power adaptor cable

3. Disconnect the power adapter, hold the Power Key for 10 seconds

4. Release power button and then connect battery and power adaptor cable and try again.

If a MacBook with a non-removable battery, do this:

Shut Down MacBook and connect charger cable. On the MacBook / Pro’s keyboard, hold down the Shift+Control+Option keys and the Power button at the same time. Release all and press power button again to restart.

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Thank you Michael. Unfortunately, I tried both resets; each with the respective display inverters and each inverter behaved as before; old one needed fiddling and the new one brightened for 1-2 seconds then went dark. No fiddling possible for the new replacement.

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In my general experience, (and I've dealt with this problem a lot) it's usually not the inverter that's going, but the LCD backlight. At this point your options are to either try to replace your LCD's backlight (cheaper but extremely difficult) or replace the entire LCD display (more costly, but easier).

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Robert R will be eternally grateful.
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