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iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement

What you need

Video Overview

  1. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement, Display: step 1, image 1 of 1
    Tool used on this step:
    iMac Intel 27" Cardboard Service Wedge
    $4.99
    Buy
    • With the hinge free to move, the iMac will be unbalanced and hard to work on. Repairs can be completed with the iMac laying down, but are faster and easier with an iMac service wedge.

    • If you are using the iFixit cardboard service wedge, follow these assembly directions to put it together.

  2. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3
    • Starting on the left of the display, near the power button, insert the iMac Opening Tool into the gap between the glass panel and the rear case.

    • The hub on the iMac Opening Tool will keep you from pushing the wheel in too far. If using a different tool, insert no more than 3/8" (9.5 mm) into the display. You risk severing antenna cables and causing serious damage.

  3. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 3, image 3 of 3
    • Use the tool like a pizza cutter—roll it along through the gap, and it will cut the foam adhesive through the center.

    • Be sure to always push with the handle behind the cutting wheel. If you pull, the wheel might get pulled out of the handle.

    • Run the tool up along the left side of the display.

  4. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3
    • Continue wheeling the tool up around the top left corner.

  5. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2
    • Cut the adhesive along the top left of the display.

  6. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • Continue along the top of the display.

    • You may want to run the tool back and forth through what you've already cut a few times, to ensure you get as much of the adhesive separated as possible.

  7. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 7, image 3 of 3
    • Push the tool around the top right corner of the display.

  8. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2
    • Wheel the tool down along the right side of the display.

  9. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2
    • Finish pushing the opening tool to the bottom of the right side of the display.

    • At this point, you'll want to run the tool back around the entire display, to ensure you cut as much adhesive as possible.

  10. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 10, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Plastic Cards
    $2.99
    Buy
    • While the opening tool did the lion's share of the work, the display will still be slightly adhered to the case. A plastic card will be necessary to free up the last of this adhesive.

    • Set the iMac face-up on a table.

    • Starting from the top right corner of the iMac, insert a plastic card between the display and frame.

    • Be careful not to insert it more than 3/8" (9.5 mm), or you may damage internal components.

  11. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2
    • Gently twist the plastic card to open the space between the display and frame, and cut any remaining adhesive near the corner.

    • Using too much force will crack the glass. Work carefully, and don't try to create a gap any larger than about 1/4" (6 mm).

  12. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 12, image 3 of 3
    • Be sure to stop cutting before the iSight camera in this step, or you may damage it.

    • Slide the card toward the center of the display, to cut any remaining adhesive.

  13. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 2
    • Put the card into the corner again and let it stay there to keep the adhesive from resettling.

  14. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 14, image 3 of 3
    • Insert a second card into the gap between the display and frame in the top left corner.

  15. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 2
    • Gently twist the card, slightly increasing the space between the display and frame.

    • As with the other side, move slowly to allow the adhesive to break, and be careful not to over-stress the display glass.

  16. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 16, image 3 of 3
    • Slide the plastic card toward the center, again stopping just before the iSight camera.

  17. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 17, image 2 of 2
    • Insert the card back into the top left corner.

  18. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 18, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 18, image 3 of 3
    • Only lift the display a few inches—it is still attached to the iMac by data and power cables.

    • With the cards inserted as shown near the corners, gently twist the cards to increase the gap between display and case.

    • If there are any sections that seem to stick and won't separate, stop twisting and use one of the cards to cut the adhesive in the problem area.

    • Begin to lift the top of the display up from the frame.

  19. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 19, image 2 of 2
    • While holding the display up with one hand, use the other to unplug the display power cable.

    • Lift the display up enough to have easy access to the connections, but not so much that you stretch the cables and stress their connections (about 8").

  20. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 20, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 20, image 3 of 3
    • Flip up the metal retaining bracket on the display data cable.

    • Disconnect the display data cable.

    • This is a delicate connection that can easily be broken. Be sure to pull the display data cable connector straight out of its socket, toward the top of the iMac.

  21. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 21, image 2 of 2
    • Lift the display up to a near-vertical position.

    • At this point there is still a strip of adhesive along the bottom of the display, that will hold the display to the frame like a hinge. You can loosen this adhesive by working the display up and down a few times.

    • Remove as much of the adhesive as possible by grabbing it at the outer edges, and then pulling or rolling it towards the middle.

  22. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 22, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 22, image 3 of 3
    • Be very careful not to touch the capacitor leads or any exposed solder joints on the back of the power supply (boxed in red).

    • If necessary, a plastic card can be used to cut any remaining sections of the bottom adhesive strip.

  23. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 23, image 1 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 23, image 2 of 3 iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 23, image 3 of 3
    • Be very careful handling the display—it's big, heavy, and made of glass. The display has fragile edges. Avoid lifting the display by the corners.

    • Lift the display up from the frame and remove it from the iMac. Lay the display face down on a flat, soft surface.

    • It may be necessary to slowly lift from one side, to peel against the remaining adhesive.

    • After the adhesive is cut, it cannot be used to re-seal the display in place. Follow this guide when your repair is complete to replace the adhesive strips that secure the display to the rear enclosure.

  24. iMac Intel 27" EMC 2546 Display Replacement: step 24, image 1 of 1
    • If you are replacing the display panel, you may need to transfer additional components from the old panel to the new one. Compare the back of the old display with the replacement display. Note all cables, sensors, and foam cushioning that are missing from the new display.

    • If there is a wire or cable underneath adhesive tape, always pull the tape off first.

    • If the cable is glued to the chassis, use a heated iOpener or a hair dryer to soften the adhesive first. You can then slide an opening pick underneath the cable to loosen it. Never pull directly on the delicate connectors.

    • Slide an opening pick underneath the foam cushion pieces to separate them from the display, and gently pull them off. You may need some double sided tape to re-attach them to the new display.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse and use our Adhesive Strips Guide to reattach the display glass.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

61 other people completed this guide.

Andrew Optimus Goldheart

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20 Comments

…thanks, but i have a crack on the screen as i was lifting it up. after reconnecting, there where lines on the display. what should i do.?

zeerowbadman - Reply

Something you may want to include for anyone replacing their damaged screen with a new one:

The replacement screens from LG more often DO NOT come with the thermal sensor attached, which means if you replace the screen without transferring the thermal sensor from the old LCD module, the computer will go absolutely insane, rendering it unusable.

This means re-opening the iMac and destroying the brand new adhesive strips. Because I had no idea this sensor existed, much panic ensued before I was forced to rip everything apart again and ultimately securing it closed with packing tape while I waited for the new adhesive strips to arrive in the mail....Not to mention the computer belongs to a client who lives 3 hours outside of the city.

placebomessiah - Reply

Sorry, could you help me? What thermal sensor?! Could you explain?

cristiano -

See the thin twisted black wire on the back of the display in this photo? The one that ends in a small piece of black tape:

https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/ig...

that piece of tape covers the tiny thermal sensor at the end of that wire. It is not included as part of the new display, and must be transferred from the old display or your computer will turn into a nightmare.

placebomessiah - Reply

But this is for model emc2546 too? And how you can transfer thermal sensor? Thank You!!!!

cristiano -

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