screen blacks out but still works

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MacBook Core 2 Duo

Model A1181: 1.83, 2, 2.1, 2.13, 2.16, 2.2, or 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo processor

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crooney66 @crooney66

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Posted: Aug 13, 2012

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screen blacks out but still works

I'm have the same issuse a lot of people are having with the older macbook now. screen goes black. you can still see image slightly and pushing the display brightness buttons do nothing. if i close the lid almost all the way the screen comes back, but if i open it all the way again in goes black again(sometimes) other times it works just fine. using an external display works fine too. does anyone now what exactly is going on? inverter cable, inverter, or something else?

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mayer @mayer

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Posted: Aug 13, 2012

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First hook it up to an external monitor. The fact that it comes on when closing the lid indicates a severed inverter cable. I would not get a used cable to repair this, get a new one, otherwise your problem may return quickly. It's Apple part number 922-7612 http://www.welovemacs.com/9227612.html

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4 Comments:

Here's how to replace it: MacBook Core 2 Duo Inverter Cable Replacement

Aug 13, 2012 by mayer

I have the external screen hooked up as a secondary screen. when the lid is up it still functions as so. with the lid closed it will favor the external. however if I close the lid 3/4 of the way the screen comes back on(only at that angle) and doesn't shut off. it has never flickered. if I fuss with it enough I an get the lid all the way open with the screen working. eventually it goes black sometimes it stays on just fine

Aug 14, 2012 by crooney66

Hi Mr Mayer

On boot up the apple logo and the status bas show briefly very faint, then brighten, fade and then all goes black

Somewhere I read there is a start up screen driver then an apple one

the external screen works well,

System - display still shows lcd working etc

any pointers,

is there any diagnostics I can run ?

Jun 30, 2017 by Dave Buchanan

Do exactly what I said in my original answer. This appears to be an inverter issue.

Jun 30, 2017 by mayer

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Here's how to replace it: MacBook Core 2 Duo Inverter Cable Replacement — mayer
I have the external screen hooked up as a secondary screen. when the lid is up it still functions as so. with the lid closed it will favor the external. however if I close the lid 3/4 of the way the screen comes back on(only at that angle) and doesn't shut off. it has never flickered. if I fuss with it enough I an get the lid all the way open with the screen working. eventually it goes black sometimes it stays on just fine — crooney66
Hi Mr Mayer

On boot up the apple logo and the status bas show briefly very faint, then brighten, fade and then all goes black

Somewhere I read there is a start up screen driver then an apple one

the external screen works well,

System - display still shows lcd working etc

any pointers,

is there any diagnostics I can run ? — Dave Buchanan
Do exactly what I said in my original answer. This appears to be an inverter issue. — mayer