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Repair guides and disassembly information for the MacBook Pro 16'' released in November of 2019. Model A2141, EMC 3347.

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MacBook Pro 16 A2141 No internal Display / external is fine!

Hi folks

The internal screen of my Macbook Pro 16' 2019 A2141 suddenly did not display any graphics or text. This Macbook Pro is running an AMD Radeon Pro 5500M 8GB.

The backlight is OK and I can modify the backlight intensity through the Touch Bar (which also works perfectly)

Resetting NVRAM & SMC did not change anything (except the chimes is now louder...)

If I connect an external HDMI monitor through a Thunderbolt 3 adapter: no picture at all on the external screen which enters into sleep mode.

When I connect my Mac (lid closed) to my Calldigit TS3 (thunderbolt 3) docking station attached to an external screen (through Display port): The mac is displaying macOS' desktop perfectly on the external monitor.

If I open the Macbook Pro lid, MacOS BigSur detects it and the external monitor is automatically configured as my extended screen. (but the internal screen still displays nothing)

I also checked if I was not concerned by Flexgate. Even with a light/torch, I don't see any text/graphics on the internal screen of the mac when I slowly open it (unattached from the docking station and external screen).

I am repairing musical instruments (analog & digital synthesizers & mixing consoles...) I have basic knowledge of SMD micro welding. I own the A2141 system board schematic.

What should I check now to move forward in my troubleshooting, please?

With my preliminary testing, I don't consider the GPU defective: Am I wrong?

FYI:

After this issue appeared I disabled Dynamic GPU switching.

I've installed gSwitch app to set/force the use of the discrete graphic adapter.

This Macbook Pro has only been used at home, lid closed, on a ventilated shelf, and attached to my external display. Never been transported. I also clean the Mac with Wet & Dry wipe. (screen, keyboard and touchpad)

Thanks to the community for any tips & tricks or assistance.

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what is the board number it starts with 820-

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@tech_ni .Daniel next time I will open my MBP I will look at the model number. Regarding the schematic, I have it for board 820-01700.

My MBP is a 16' 2019 A2141 - EMC3347 with i9 8cores 2.4Ghz / 64GB / 4TB / AMD Radeon Pro 5500M 8GB. Cheers.

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@danj

Running MacOS BigSur on my MBP 16' A2141, I would like to upgrade to Monterey.

I have got an LG Thunderbolt monitor attached to the MBP through a an Apple Thunderbolt v3 to TB v2 adapter.

Can I try to upgrade or do you think I will lose the video signal during the upgrade (after a reboot)?

Many years ago I remember a guy in a service station using an iMac as a Thunderbolt target monitor with an MBP facing a dead screen.

(Please keep in mind that the T-con board is dead so no more display on the built-in Retina monitor.)

Many thanks for your input.

Best Regards

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@pascalb63 - Sorry, had some other stuff needing attention.

Using your system in Clamshell mode (lid closed and using external display, keyboard and mouse/trackpad) you should be fine.

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Well not good 😡

The internal displays T-CON board has failed. Sadly this not uncommon as the heatsink is so close to it it often cooks when running heavy graphics and/or the vents and fan are choked up with dust.

So here’s the needed part MacBook Pro 16" (2019) Display Assembly and the guide to put it in MacBook Pro 16" 2019 Screen Replacement

Make sure you clean out the dust buildup in the fans and the heatsink fins as well as the logic board using a soft paint brush an a can of can’d air using short blasts.

I would strongly recommend getting a good thermal monitoring app like TG Pro I find it’s one of best it also can boost the fans when it’s getting too warm as well.

MacBook Pro 16" (2019) Display Assembly Image

Product

MacBook Pro 16" (2019) Display Assembly

$444.99

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4 Comments:

Thanks Dan for the info.

I'm looking to buy a T-CON board before planning to swap the entire screen. But I think first I must grab my system board' model number.

I did not mention but My MBP was mainly used in a hyper-ventilated 19' Rack: 2 external fans in front + 2 in the back of the MBP.

The MBP stands on a cold aluminum plate and TG Pro is installed.

I open the MBP once a year to clean internal fans too.

I'm not doing intensive game, 3D calculations, or Deep Learning (we have dedicated servers & Nvidia GPU for that;-) but from time to time I run Pro audio apps or VMware Fusion VMs which make the CPU reaches 85-90° (which is in the acceptable range defined by Intel for this CPU).

To be honest I love MBP "outside" design but I am not convinced at all by the thermal design of the Apple Macbook Pro 16': The GPU and CPU are very closed each other and the built-in fans push the heat onto the middle of the screen where T-con board is located...

I've already seen pictures of several MBP 16' T-con with burned I.C.

That's why for 7 years now, all my MBP are hyperventilated at home with TG pro controlling the built-in fans.

Best Regards

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@pascalb63 - the T-CON board is not really replaceable (not offered as a spare). The best you could do is find a cracked display to steal the board. Now for the fun! The LCD display cables are soldered onto the T-CON board and it’s easy to damage the cable. Then you don’t really know if the T-CON is still in good shape.

Sadly, Apple under estimated the heat both the Intel i9 and the AMD GPU produced and then placing a temperature sensitive logic so close to the heat was just a bonehead move! Even with the cooling improvements from the 2018 design it still falls short.

Now the reason your system cooked is likely due from having the display down! As the keyboard is a sizable vent area, pulling the air inward. I would also raise the system up an inch on a block that leaves the side vents more exposed for better air flow.

I’ve been holding out as I haven’t done much photography work due to COVID as my angle was ultra large images. I had hoped Apple would have fixed the design before jumping to the M series SoC.

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@danj Thank you so much for all the information very very useful.

I was not aware the keyboard is a sizable vent area ! thanks for that.

I did not publish all the details but briefly: My MBP is mainly used in a recording studio with A.C. The mac is closed in a 19' rack but with a lot of space around it and forced airflow (4 fans) (FYI I work in datacenters so cooling is a key concern).

Below the Mac there are 4 rubber pads (1 inch & half tall) that allow me to have airflow below the mac, + on top of the mac.

Measured With a temp sensor, the MBP aluminum body never exceeded 35°C / 95°F. but today I realized the closed lid blocked the airflow from the keybded... :-(

Dan, can I remove the lid/screen of my MBP and just use it as is @ home? This mac is 95% used at home, I never use the built-in screen. (Mac Studio was not on the market yet in 2019 ;-)

Thanks you so much Dan to share all your info on this issue.

BR

Pascal

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Sadly removing the display is not an option.

Maybe you need to rethink things a bit.

What if you use two systems, one which stays in the rack (Mac Min/Mac Studio) and your MacBook Pro which you travel with.

To complete things here you would use a sync app to keep both up-to date via a Ethernet (fastest) or WiFI. Besides as an artist your work is you! So if your laptop is stolen or either your home or studio goes up in flames or floods you have backup of your active work.

I still recommend having additional backups but as someone who creates the juices once flowing are hard to pickup after a distraction. So the more automated you make this the better.

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