MacBook Pro Retina 15” Mid 2015 (A1398): Black screen after display re
Hello,
I’m looking for a board-level diagnosis for my MacBook Pro Retina 15” Mid 2015 (A1398).
Configuration
- Intel Core i7
- 16 GB RAM
- macOS Monterey 12.7.6
History
Before repair:
- The original internal display was cracked but still displayed an image.
- The Mac worked perfectly with an external HDMI monitor.
During repair:
- A technician installed a display from a MacBook Pro 2013.
- The replacement display never worked.
- He reinstalled my original cracked display.
- Since then, the internal display has been completely black.
Current behavior
If the internal display cable is disconnected:
- Apple logo appears on the external HDMI monitor.
- Startup Manager (Option key) works.
- Internet Recovery works.
- But when booting from Macintosh HD, Recovery, EFI Boot or a bootable USB, the Apple logo appears, then the screen goes completely black.
If the internal display cable is connected:
- The internal display remains completely black.
The Mac appears to continue running:
- keyboard backlight works,
- volume keys work,
- fans operate normally,
- but there is no video output.
Already tried
- NVRAM reset
- SMC reset
- Safe Mode
- Internet Recovery
- Bootable USB installer
- OpenCore Legacy Patcher
Always the same result:
Apple logo → black screen.
Verbose mode also showed messages including:
- device is not readable
- failed to initialize volume keybag
Questions
- Could installing a 2013 Retina display on a 2015 A1398 have damaged the LCD connector or another logic board component?
- Which is the most likely cause?
- LCD connector
- LCD power/backlight circuit
- Display cable
- GPU
- SSD/APFS
- Logic board
- What measurements or board-level tests would you perform before replacing parts?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Is this a good question?
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9 Comments
@mouad30378 according to your given specs your board is a 820-00163. since we do not have enough information about the other computer the "replacement" display came out of, there is not enough information about the exact cause of the short that may have occurred. Could have been a 820-3662 logic board. I would focus on pin 3-8 since those are the LED return lines on the 820-3662 820 3662 Display Connector 1
Let's start with a few things.
Could installing a 2013 Retina display on a 2015 A1398 have damaged the LCD connector or another logic board component? Yes, absolutely.
Which is the most likely cause? The Logic board since the display adapter is just a passive connector.
What measurements or board-level tests would you perform before replacing parts? Use the 820 00163 schematic on page 69 to measure the voltages on the display connector. Any missing or erroneous voltages can then be traced backward to identify any failed /shortened component. It's a bit of a chore but not to complicated.
This is not an answer but a comment. Thus far, everything is just an assumption and a guess until a proper solution can be provided. If you need further help with that, you can post some well focused pictures of your logic board (both sides) with your question. That way we can see what you see and guide you further. Also, if you need the boardview file, email me. My contact is in my profile.
Adding images to an existing question
by oldturkey03
@mouad30378 you also want to consider getting a working display for your MBP. Your computer does need to find a proper display.
by oldturkey03
@oldturkey03 I believe all retina displays would connect to the boards display connector but they will not function unless it is a 2015 compatible display as 2012 / 2013/14 are different internally.
by livfe
@livfe yes. The connections are definitely different.
by oldturkey03
@oldturkey03 All of the LCD cables will connect to all the boards, Dans answer explains the differences in the hardware.
by livfe
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