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MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Ambient Light Sensor Replacement

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  1. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Ambient Light Sensor Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 1 of 3 MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Ambient Light Sensor Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 2 of 3 MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Ambient Light Sensor Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 3 of 3
    • Use your fingers to push both battery release tabs away from the battery, and lift the battery out of the computer.

  2. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Ambient Light Sensor Replacement, RAM Shield: step 2, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Ambient Light Sensor Replacement, RAM Shield: step 2, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the three identical 2mm Phillips screws from the memory door.

    • Lift the memory door up enough to grip it and slide it toward you, pulling it away from the casing.

  3. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Ambient Light Sensor Replacement, Upper Case: step 3, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the two 2.8 mm Phillips screws in the battery compartment near the latch.

  4. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Ambient Light Sensor Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the following 6 screws:

    • Two 10 mm T6 Torx screws on either side of the RAM slot.

    • Four 14.5 mm Phillips screws along the hinge.

  5. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Ambient Light Sensor Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the four 3.2 mm PH00 Phillips screws on the port side of the computer.

  6. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Ambient Light Sensor Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1
    • Rotate the computer 90 degrees and remove the two 3.2 mm Phillips screws from the rear of the computer.

  7. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Ambient Light Sensor Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1
    • Rotate the computer 90 degrees again and remove the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws from the side of the computer.

  8. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Ambient Light Sensor Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Ambient Light Sensor Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Ambient Light Sensor Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3
    • Do not yank the upper case off quickly. The case is attached to the logic board via a ribbon cable.

    • Lift up at the rear of the case and work your fingers along the sides, freeing the case as you go. Once you have freed the sides, you may need to rock the case up and down to free the front of the upper case.

    • There are four plastic clips above the DVD slot, and another above and to the left of the IR sensor. These clips can be very difficult to disengage without prying. They can also be difficult to re-engage during reassembly.

    • Reassembly Tip: Press down firmly on the tip of the top case above the location of each clip until you hear a snap to reseat them in their slots.

    • Reassembly Tip: The two center DVD clips will rarely snap back into place properly without help, and downward pressure will instead simply deform the frame around the DVD slot. Support the frame by inserting a plastic spudger into the DVD slot directly under the clip location until it is snug, then press down until you hear the snap.

  9. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Ambient Light Sensor Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Ambient Light Sensor Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2
    • Disconnect the trackpad and keyboard ribbon cable from the logic board, removing tape as necessary.

    • Note: It is possible to replace the hard drive without disconnecting the keyboard from the chassis, but it will need to be held upright to keep it out of the way, while still allowing you both hands to work on the drive removal.

    • Be careful when removing the keyboard-trackpad ribbon cable to ensure that the rear of the upper case is disengaged from the area near the hinge. It is easy to accidentally bend the screw receivers on either side of the keyboard.

    • Remove the upper case.

  10. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Ambient Light Sensor Replacement, Left Ambient Light Sensor: step 10, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Ambient Light Sensor Replacement, Left Ambient Light Sensor: step 10, image 2 of 2
    • Disconnect the left ambient light sensor cable from the logic board by placing a spudger beneath the connector and lifting up.

    • Peel up the left ambient light sensor cable from above the left fan, removing tape as necessary.

  11. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Ambient Light Sensor Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Ambient Light Sensor Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the single silver Phillips screw securing the clear plastic shield over the left ambient light sensor.

    • Lift the clear plastic shield off the left ambient light sensor.

    • Use a spudger to pry the left ambient light sensor board out of its housing on the left speaker.

    • Lift the left ambient light sensor board out of the computer.

    • During reassembly, you can use a lint-free cloth to remove smudges and fingerprints on the plastic shield if needed.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

3 other people completed this guide.

2 Comments

Do you know what each wire from the ALS does? Previous owner broke the connector socket off the logic board; now the computer thinks it’s always in maximum ambient light, so the keyboard backlight is disabled. Wondering if I can hardwire 2 pins together on the logic board to make it think it’s in minimum ambient light, so I can control the keyboard backlight manually. Thanks!!

Sam Sanford - Reply

I found a much easier solution: There is a free app called LabTick that allows you to adjust the keyboard illumination regardless of input from the ALS.

Sam Sanford -

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