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A2115 / 2019 / Processors from 3.0 GHz 6-core i5, up to 3.6 GHz 8-core i9. Released March 19, 2019.

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Only LED #2 is lit?

Hi!

I’m working on a customer’s iMac 2019 for a no-power issue. She stated it was rarely used for the first year and a half she had it and just recently started using it for remote work. I can’t imagine that she could have done anything to it to cause an issue. She even had the original box, foam, dust cover, everything. One day, she went to turn it on, and nothing happened. No fans, no chime, just a bit of an initial whine from the PSU capacitors when it’s plugged in.

After checking the diagnostic LED’s on the logic board, *only* LED #2 is lit. LED 1 would indicate trickle power and LED 1 + LED 2 would indicate the system is on and receiving enough power. Never, though, have I only seen LED 2 on with LED 1 off. I checked the diagnostic guide for this iMac and nothing in the troubleshooting section says anything about an LED being on “out of sequence” of the prior prerequisite LED’s.

What I’ve tried so far:

  • Different working power cable
  • Different wall outlets (both at client’s location and mine)
  • Checked power button cable
  • PRAM battery OK @ 2.8V
  • RTC clock reset (because why not, at this point.)

Any ideas?

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Answer this question I have this problem too

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4 Comments

any update on this? I also have the same issue and couldn't find anything regards LED 2 on

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I'm seeing the same issue with a 2019 27" iMac. LED 2 on while LED 1 off.

I've replaced the PSU, no luck. Did you have any luck diagnosing this?

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No luck so far Stefan, Seems to me it might be a SMC problem, which may cost a new logic board. :/

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Has there been any progress on this issue? I ' ve same iisue on a2115 retina 5k 2019 . Only led 2 is lit on mobo

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

I had the same problem and fixed it finally.
For me, I found that one of my CPU pins was bended after checking all the components. I fixed the CPU pins problem and my iMac was work again.

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2 Comments:

Sweet!! Glad to hear you figured it out. I did not check the CPU as my iMac was still under Apple Care so I decided to glue the screen back using the ifixit adhesive strips and take it to Apple. They fixed it but when I asked, they would not disclose what exactly was the issue...quite disappointing. I would have loved to know.

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Just wanted to add the case that I had just recently, since ifixit helped me a lot.

In my case, I’ve somehow managed to tighten the cpu bracket bolts too much (maybe I failed the criss-cross method somehow) and as a result I had bent the actual cpu base. Once I noticed this - I’ve applied force to try and straighten it out and after that really carefully tighten the cpu bracket.

It works now!

Hopefully nobody will get into this situation again, but hope this will help, if you do.

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Here’s a useful reference on your systems diagnostics LED’s! Diagnostic LEDs and Test Pads for iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019)​.

Apple in a very rare moment produced a repair guide for this system! iMac 27" 5K (2019) Repair Manual

Sadly, it’s not a full depth Technician Guide missing the needed info to diagnose things. Even still its useful!

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3 Comments:

Thanks Dan! I have already checked the service manual for the LED codes and nothing in there specifies only LED 2 being on with LED 1 off.

It’s almost like it’s telling me that it has enough power to turn on, but not enough trickle power lol.

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@mmurphytech - It sounds like you managed to get the Technicians Guide for this system. I haven't found it lurking online. I was under the impression Apple was forcing everyone to access the online version via their service network.

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I actually used the same guide that you linked earlier. It does have LED diagnostic codes, just nothing that explains this particular LED combination.

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Michael Murphy will be eternally grateful.
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