Repairing Macbook Air with backlight issues caused by liquid damage
The macbook we received this week was sent to us from interstate and had issues with its backlight. The customer called us early last week and described the issue he was facing.
By listening to customers’ explanations of the issue, we were well aware of what may have been causing it. Hence we were able to give him a quote for the repair over the phone. As a result, he felt confident in our abilities and cost for the repair and sent his Macbook Air to repair here in Adelaide.
When the Macbook arrived, we could see that there was a dim picture on the screen but no backlight. So this Macbook Air needed a repair of the backlight circuit.
Check our other cases of Macbook Backlight Repairs
There was liquid damage on this Macbook. It was intense, particularly around the screen connector and one of the voltage regulators.
We could even see how the LVDS screen connector’s power lines were burned out. So we knew this would be a challenging Macbook Air Backlight Repair.
Although, there is a fuse to protect from shorting screen connector damaging the backlight chip (little component marked with P). In this case, it seemed like the short was intense and burned the backlight chip together with the fuse itself.
Macbook Air Backlight Repair Process
We dive straight onto the repair. As it took a couple of days for the Macbook to arrive from interstate, we knew that we had to fix it asap. So the customer can have it back quickly.
Blown fuse in a Macbook Air Backlight Repair
First, we have started treating the heaviest part of the damage and resoldering the screen connector’s components. As well as the screen connector itself – the dark spot on the photo.
We have a sophisticated equipment workshop with high accuracy microscope, ultrasonic cleaning bath, reflow machine, and tools for micro soldering to achieve high-quality logic boards repairs. With thousands of components in stock, we quickly locate and replace failed components!
IT-Solve
After cleaning the oxidation and replacing a couple of heavily corroded capacitors, we measured the fuse – it was also blown. So we went ahead and replaced the fuse too.
Shorted Screen Connector on Macbook Air Backlight Repair
We knew a big bang around the screen’s power lines, based on the damage to the LVDS screen connector. But an unexpected short came from the display’s connector, which also showed traces of a short on the power line.
This would have increased the repair cost drastically, due to now we would have the cost of a new replacement screen too. But we had a better idea, to try to repair the connector instead of replacing the screen.
This is what to expect if you need Macbook Backlight Repair Service in Adelaide
- Quote for the repair before any work is done, even over the phone.
- Free pick up from the client’s location in Adelaide. Alternatively, drop in for a quick check while you wait.
- Confirming final cost and “Go” from the client.
- Repairing and ensuring everything works as expected.
- Returning repaired system to the client. Or the client can pick it up from our workshop.
We discussed this issue with the customer and offered him either to repair or replace the screen for an additional cost. He agreed to have it repaired instead. Otherwise, the new screen would have cost him $600.
Looking at the pads the heat was generated in that area due to the short on the LVDS connector. This caused the isolation to melt between the pads and the bottom of the connector, which is ground.
As this metal ground was wide enough, we could modify the connector to avoid the pad shorting. We also applied some Kapton tape there to avoid any future shorts.
Once screen connector pads were repaired, we could test if the short was gone and concentrate on the remaining of the Macbook Air Backlight Repair.
Once, a major expense was avoided we continued with the rest of the issues.
Faulty Backlight Controller Chip causing Macbook Air Backlight Repair
Even with the repaired connector and replaced the fuse, the screen power lines were not producing enough voltage to turn on the backlight of the screen.
The macbook still had a dim picture on the screen and needed further repairs. So the next stop on the schematic was to replace the backlight chip on this Macbook Air with no backlight.
The last step was to run the logic board on an ultrasonic cleaner. This is to ensure there is no more residue around other components of the logic board.
If you have a Macbook with a black or dim screen and need Macbook Air Backlight Repair, always rely on professionals.
These are expensive computers, and small mistakes may cause you a fortune. In addition, apple electronics are susceptible to ESD, and any mishandling may result in a damaged logic board.
Successful Macbook Air Backlight Repair
Please note: This is not educational material. It is rather a showcase of the services we offer.
Therefore, it should be used as general guidance on what to expect of such repairs.
In case you have a similar device and need the repair, always rely on professionals. These are sensitive electronic devices, and small mistakes may cause irreversible electronic damage. Which may require whole part replacement for 2 or 3 times the cost.
Do you need this Repair in Adelaide?
If your Apple Mac or Macbook is causing trouble and need a Macbook Repair Service in Adelaide, give us a call, and we will advise on the best scenario to get your device repaired.
Interstate? Why not Send IT for a Repair. Repairs take under three weeks, including forward and backward postage. Contact us to get an idea of cost and turnarounds.
We at IT-Solve, specialise in Apple Mac and electronics repairs. We will do our best to repair your Mac quickly without involving high costs and long waiting times in repair shops. Our average repair takes under a week!
Call us now on 0469317177 or drop us an inquiry via 
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Our engineers will respond quickly to your query.
Repaired, not Replaced!
We are committed to reducing e-waste in Australia. How we do it is by educating our customers on the reparability and longevity of their devices, as well as providing affordable Macbook Repairs here in Adelaide.
Although our best intentions and hard work, this is not an easy task. Customers must accept that cost of high-quality electronic repairs, is between a third and half of the price of a new device. However, with the current trend of planned obsolescence in electronic design, we see more and more Macbooks having shorter lifespans. To tackle that, while we do our repairs we target common planned obsolescence engineering design mistakes to ensure we extend the life expectancy of the Macbooks we repair. Check some of our Macbook Repair Cases to get an idea of the process.
That said, if we buy a new one or write it off via insurance, it does not guarantee that the new one will not meet the same fate as the older one pretty soon.
As matter of fact, quite often we see accidents reoccurring within less than 2-year gaps. If we can save 2000$ or even 1000$ today by repairing our faulty Macbook is brilliant. That’s an extra half Macbook cost ready to be spent on another one when the time comes or our need for performance increases.
When that time comes is up to us to buy a new one or keep pushing the one we have, but delaying it by a year or three is always a good starting point and saves another abandoned Macbook from polluting our one and only Planet.