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iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2308 Display Replacement

Introduction

Remove the LCD to access most of your iMac's internals.

What you need

  1. iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2308 Display Replacement, Glass Panel: step 1, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2308 Display Replacement, Glass Panel: step 1, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Heavy-Duty Suction Cups (Pair)
    $14.99

    • Before beginning, unplug your iMac and lay it on a soft surface as shown.

    • Stick a suction cup near each of the two top corners of the glass panel.

    • To attach the suction cups we sell, first position the suction cup with the movable handle parallel to the face of the glass panel. While lightly holding the suction cup against the glass, raise the movable handle until it is parallel with the other handle.

    • If your suction cups refuse to stick, try cleaning both the glass panel and the suction cup with a mild solvent.

    Edit

  2. iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2308 Display Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2308 Display Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Gently lift the glass panel perpendicular to the face of the LCD enough to clear the steel mounting pins attached along the underside of the top edge of the glass panel.

    • Pull the glass panel away from the lower edge of the iMac and carefully set it aside.

    • During reinstallation, be sure to meticulously clean the inside of the glass panel and the face of the LCD as any dust or fingerprints trapped inside will be annoyingly visible when the machine is turned on.

    Edit

  3. iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2308 Display Replacement, Display: step 3, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2308 Display Replacement, Display: step 3, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2308 Display Replacement, Display: step 3, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the eight 8 mm T10 Torx screws securing the display to the outer case.

    • The last two pictures are detail shots of each side of the display.

    Edit

  5. iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2308 Display Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Slightly lift the top edge of the display out of the outer case.

    • Do not lift it too much. There are several cables attaching the display to the logic board.

    Edit

  6. iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2308 Display Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2308 Display Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2308 Display Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Pull the vertical sync ribbon cable out of its socket on the LED driver board near the top left corner of your iMac.

    • The vertical sync ribbon cable has a ZIF style end, but the socket has no lock or retaining flap. Simply pull the cable away from its socket toward the optical drive side of the iMac to disconnect it from the LED driver board.

    Edit

  7. iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2308 Display Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2308 Display Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2308 Display Replacement: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • Rotate the display out of the outer case enough to disconnect the LED backlight power cable from the LED driver board.

    • Disconnect the LED backlight power cable by depressing the locking mechanism while pulling the connector away from its socket (toward the bottom edge of the iMac).

    Edit

  8. iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2308 Display Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Squeeze the two display data cable connector arms together to unlock it from its socket on the logic board.

    • Pull the display data cable connector away from its socket on the logic board.

    • Be careful when disconnecting and reconnecting this cable, as it is easily damaged.

    Edit

  9. iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2308 Display Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the LCD thermal sensor cable connector from its socket on the logic board.

    • If your fan is spinning full speed after completion, check this connection or the hard drive's thermal sensor cable.

    Edit

  10. iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2308 Display Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Carefully pull the display toward the top edge of your iMac and lift it out of the outer case, minding any cables that may get caught.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

36 other people completed this guide.

3 Comments

i have a problem with my pc.

when i turn on my computer couple i had lot of times the LCD turned off.

is the time to change it? The boot and the system runs ok... what's the problem?

need help guys!

Massimiliano Sartorello - Reply

good morning everyone. I have a problem with my iMac. unfortunately the screen starts to look with horizontal stripes. after verifying that it is not by the graphics card, I bought a led a different model and some connectors are different. He led riding my iMac is lm215wf3 (sl) (a1) and I bought by mistake lm215wf3 (sd) (a1). several problems. the temperature sensor input is different, and led backlightsync also is different.

Borja - Reply

Thanks for posting this guide. I had a bad display connection that caused my Mac display to go off (black) every now and then. Remote desktop showed Mac was fully functional, though. Removed the glass, removed the LCD as per this guide, cleaned all display connectors with WD40, mounted everything back and… voilà !

Martins Jr - Reply

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