Fix Your Stuff Community Store

Released April 2010 / 2.4, 2.53 GHz Core i5 or 2.66 GHz Core i7 Processors

591 Questions View all

Options

Display Clamshell will not stay closed?

I'm an Apple Technician by trade, about a thousand repairs to my name so far, but even this seemingly simple one has me stumped. We'll say for the purposes of this repair that the machine is my own (i've seen a couple, but my own also has the same issue so i'll use it as the example).

When the clamshell/display assembly is closed, it will immediately pop open again once I let go of it. I've tried two display assemblies for diagnosis so far (including 2 sets of hinges and 2 sets of magnets) and the same issue occurs each time. I've tensioned the hinge screws as specified in Apple's take apart guide, which has made no difference.

Apple themselves have no troubleshooting guides or suggestions to repair it, and even with an understanding of mechanics myself i'm still struggling to determine what part or combination of parts need to be replaced.

Anyone come across a MacBook/MacBook Pro display that pops open by itself? If so, what did you do to fix it?

Answer this question I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Yes No
Score -1
Add a comment

1 Answer

Filter by:
Most Helpful Newest Oldest
Most Helpful Answer

Options

Did this problem suddenly appear or did it start after an unrelated repair or disassembly? The tension on the hinge screws is not relevant, the only possible causes are improper placement (or omission) of the magnets which provide tension to hold the screen assembly shut, poor alignment of the display assembly (which is pretty easy to do if you removed it, getting it right is something of an art), or other damage to the machine's top case or display which make the screen require more tension to close than normal. Those magnets only provide the minimal amount of force to keep things shut so you can easily pop it open with one hand . . . . it takes only a bit of crookedness to make them ineffective.

This is assuming you are working with a Unibody Macbook Pro as it shows in the description of the post. If its a different machine the problem might be elsewhere. I've seen improper close issues on Macbooks, Macbook Pros, iBooks, and Powerbooks. While not terribly common such issues aren't exactly rare either. It happens all the time on non-unibody Macbooks when people replace the LCD panel, since the one magnet that holds the screen closed invariably falls out and then doesn't get replaced back in its very specific slot upon reassembly. Even if you KNOW where it goes and how to align it doing so is a pain.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 1

3 Comments:

It's a MacBook Pro 15-inch Mid 2010 Unibody, as described. The adhesive behind the display glass had come unstuck, so we changed over the entire display assembly. The issue only started after installing the replacement assembly, so we tried another for good measure, which is showing the same symptoms. I haven't ruled out the possibility that the Unibody itself (the Top Case) is flexed or deformed in some way, but when checked with a straight edge it doesn't appear to be. Display alignment is spot on, even on all sides with no overhang, so I doubt that's the cause.

by

+ good answer but it would help to know the exact machine. Please give the last three figures of your serial number. Thanks

by

I can only provide the last 3 digits of my serial number, 7XJ. I have a suspicion that the top case (Unibody) itself may be flexed ever so slightly, causing the display assembly to pop open. I'll experiment with fixing this and report back if I have any further information.

by

Add a comment

Add your answer

mbrice will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 0

Past 30 Days: 0

All Time: 755