When the screen is open 90 degrees, won't power on/shuts off?

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iBook G4 12" 800 MHz-1.2 GHz

Model A1054

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Ryan Crabtree @ryancrabtree

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Posted: Nov 26, 2011

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When the screen is open 90 degrees, won't power on/shuts off?

When I open the ibook, the power up sound chimes, there is a bit of spinning sound for a couple seconds then, it shuts down. I finally figured out that if the the screen is only open about 80 degrees (not quite straight up) the machine runs fine. As soon as I open it a tiny bit more, bam-it shuts down completely. I'm guessing some cable is getting pinched, but worse than just the monitor losing power. Thanks for your help.

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lemerise @lemerise

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Posted: Nov 26, 2011

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The only cable that brings voltage to the screen is the inverter cable so there must be a short in the ibook right hinge. Buy a new inverter cable and make sure the reed switch cable is included in the deal.

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On the ibook G3/G4 the inverter cable is coupled with the reed switch cable (2 wires) so 4 wires total if i remember well. The two cables are taped together. Often the problem comes from the reed switch cables that seems to be more fragile and susceptible to break in the hinge causing screen lightning malfunction and sometimes electrical short. I've seen many ibook logic boards damaged by a reed switch cable short but never seen a LVDS cable shorting a board. I may be wrong....

Nov 26, 2011 by lemerise

I am sorry lemerise if I came off wrong. I upped your answer and am not questioning your expertise or thoughts about the root of the problem. I just got confused when I read: "The only cable that brings voltage to the screen is the inverter cable..." I apologize if my comment offended you or caused you to feel that I question your expertise.

Nov 27, 2011 by ABCellars

Don't worry about it ABCellars. We are here to help and you're doing a great job in Answers, I would even say "one of the more competent tech on this web site". :-)

Nov 27, 2011 by lemerise

Call me lazy, but it might be easier to get a whole replacement screen assembly off of eBay, or from a parts machine. Opening up the hinges on these things is not fun. I always just replace the whole screen assembly, but then again I have the luxury of having lots of scrap machines around.

Nov 27, 2011 by rdklinc

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On the ibook G3/G4 the inverter cable is coupled with the reed switch cable (2 wires) so 4 wires total if i remember well. The two cables are taped together. Often the problem comes from the reed switch cables that seems to be more fragile and susceptible to break in the hinge causing screen lightning malfunction and sometimes electrical short. I've seen many ibook logic boards damaged by a reed switch cable short but never seen a LVDS cable shorting a board. I may be wrong.... — lemerise
I am sorry lemerise if I came off wrong. I upped your answer and am not questioning your expertise or thoughts about the root of the problem. I just got confused when I read: "The only cable that brings voltage to the screen is the inverter cable..." I apologize if my comment offended you or caused you to feel that I question your expertise. — ABCellars
Don't worry about it ABCellars. We are here to help and you're doing a great job in Answers, I would even say "one of the more competent tech on this web site". :-) — lemerise
Call me lazy, but it might be easier to get a whole replacement screen assembly off of eBay, or from a parts machine. Opening up the hinges on these things is not fun. I always just replace the whole screen assembly, but then again I have the luxury of having lots of scrap machines around. — rdklinc

iBook G4 12" 800 MHz-1.2 GHz

When the screen is open 90 degrees, won't power on/shuts off?

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