iMac screen fell off... is the logic board toast? Help!

[ItsAShaunParty]

Hi Everyone!

A few weeks ago my friend helped me replace the hard drive and ram in my Mom's 2017 21.5" iMac. It was awesome. Like a brand new computer. Night and day. Then, the other day, her screen fell off!

I don't want to point fingers but.... I had nothing to do with reattaching the screen. I talked to my friend and sounds like he didn't bother to do a great job removing the old adhesive. Frustrating. I bought new adhesive and everything seemed to be going okay until...

One of the cables isn't clicking in. I sort of got it attached and tried to power up the computer but no image.

Then I noticed that part of the attachment to the board is bent.

I found a similar thread from a few years back where someone has an identical problem but there's no conclusion. Someone comments that the attachment is supposed to be bent but I'm not sure.

Did something break or does this cable not click in? Is the metal attachment suppose dot be bent? Am I doing this correctly? Help!

I've attached some images.

Thanks for your help!

 

[The_Croupier]

The bent LVDS connector will need to be replaced.

 

[velocityg4]

The bent connector is a problem but not a huge concern. If all that's wrong is fit. It can be bent back. Perhaps with a shim between it and the board to prevent any other bending. You'd just need to be gentle and take it slow. The main concern is if any pins are bent or damaged.

You need to carefully inspect the interior of the connector. Perhaps with a light and magnifying glass.. Looking for any missing, broken or misaligned pins. Same with the connector on the ribbon.

Then inspect the ribbon and where it connects to the display for damage. Also check all other connections between the iMac and display.

Even with broken pins. It's not the end of the world. I had one of those connectors snap off. It pulled two pins out of the motherboard and came off the rest. I carefully put it back on aligning it with the remaining pins. Soldered the broken pins back. It's been working fine for over three years.

 

[ignatius345]

I talked to my friend and sounds like he didn't bother to do a great job removing the old adhesive.

I opened up my old iMac 5K last year, and removing the old adhesive was easily the most PITA part of the whole process. I probably spent a solid half hour getting that gunk off. But you can't cut corners there, for obvious reasons :/

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

Hi Everyone!

A few weeks ago my friend helped me replace the hard drive and ram in my Mom's 2017 21.5" iMac. It was awesome. Like a brand new computer. Night and day. Then, the other day, her screen fell off!

When the screen fell off, it might be broken. The LVDS socket and cable seem fine. You just need to bend the clutching mechanism back to it normal position.
Try power on the machine with an external display check whether the machine are still working.
If it does, but still no image on the internal screen, then you know what to replace.

 

[Fishrrman]

Such are the hazards of doin' it yourself.

Time for a new (or Apple-refurbished) iMac...

 

[ItsAShaunParty]

I think you're right.

We were able to bend the connector back and get everything in place. The screen still wouldn't turn on. All LEDs are lit but for the 5th which is off.

Also, I. noticed the screen chipped on the way down so...

I'm also ordering a new cable and screen. Hoping it's the cable and I can return the screen but I doubt it.

When the screen fell off, it might be broken. The LVDS socket and cable seem fine. You just need to bend the clutching mechanism back to it normal position.
Try power on the machine with an external display check whether the machine are still working.
If it does, but still no image on the internal screen, then you know what to replace.

 

[The_Croupier]

It will be the lvds connector, get a new one soldered on, just bending it back won’t work as the pins inside the connector will be out of shape .

 

[ItsAShaunParty]

It will be the lvds connector, get a new one soldered on, just bending it back won’t work as the pins inside the connector will be out of shape .

I really hope that you're wrong. But I'm starting to think you're right. What do you think it would cost to get that done? Should I go to an Apple specialist? I might be getting ahead of myself.

I noticed the old screen was chipped. So I ordered a new cable and a new screen from Amazon. Both are arriving today. I really hope it's just the cable!

 

[The_Croupier]

I really hope that you're wrong. But I'm starting to think you're right. What do you think it would cost to get that done? Should I go to an Apple specialist? I might be getting ahead of myself.

I noticed the old screen was chipped. So I ordered a new cable and a new screen from Amazon. Both are arriving today. I really hope it's just the cable!

Any repair shop that does micro soldering, I guess between $50-$100 bucks.

 

[Fishrrman]

"I noticed the old screen was chipped. So I ordered a new cable and a new screen from Amazon. Both are arriving today. I really hope it's just the cable!"

I believe this is called "throwing good money after bad..."

 

[ItsAShaunParty]

"I noticed the old screen was chipped. So I ordered a new cable and a new screen from Amazon. Both are arriving today. I really hope it's just the cable!"

I believe this is called "throwing good money after bad..."

Amazon has a wonderful return policy!

 

[ItsAShaunParty]

Hey!

Update...

I can't find a place to solder a new connector on for under anything affordable. I was quoted at "over $200" and "no more than $550" by the only two local places that would even do it. I started to consider sending it out. But... my Mom's currently using 2011 MBA and it's rough. She needs this computer back. so, with expedited shipping, we're looking at at least $60 round trip. (At this point, I probably should've done that first thing. Priority mail would've been closer to $25 round trip.)

Also, I noticed the screen was chipped on the side and though I think it probably works, I'm not 100% certain.

Then I realized I could find a used 2017 (or at least a 2015) for $300-400 on Amazon or eBay.

Hmmm...

MY friend has a little experience micro-soldering. Figured might as well give it a go. I ordered a new connector. They sent the wrong one. Mom's not happy.

I'm gonna re-order today.

Questions:

1. I'm located outside of Philadelphia. Does anyone happen to know the area or have some idea how to locate a place that will fix this at an affordable rate?

2. Does anyone know the part number so I can be sure I'm ordering the right one?

3. Has anyone done this particular fix? Any pointers?

I'm so sick of this. Really hoping someone has a friend in the area who will do this for $100 or something.

Thanks!

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

Hey!


3. Has anyone done this particular fix? Any pointers?

I'm so sick of this. Really hoping someone has a friend in the area who will do this for $100 or something.

Thanks!

Try northrigde fix. Search both Google and Youtube to see how capable the guy is.
I believe he might charge about 150$ for resolding, including parts. Extra charge for priority.
But the guy is in CA, and he is complaining that he is drowning in queuing orders.

 

[kvic]

MY friend has a little experience micro-soldering. Figured might as well give it a go. I ordered a new connector. They sent the wrong one. Mom's not happy.

2. Does anyone know the part number so I can be sure I'm ordering the right one?

Based on your original photo, if the female connector (receptacle) was the only problem, it's not difficult to fix by yourself. Slowly and carefully unbend the two ends of the shell should have fixed the issue. The shell of the receptacle works by pressing the ribbon cable against the Logic Board so that pins are kept in contact. Very unlikely the pins themselves would have been damaged during your iMac's fall because that's not how physics work.

Now depends on the workmanship of you and/or your friend...I'm afraid you might have caused further damage to the receptacle. I won't advise you to attempt replacing the receptacle by a guy with 'little experience micro soldering'. You're asking for further trouble down the rabbit hole. Cause damage to the Logic Board beyond repair. Seek professional help. Or sell your iMac with proper description. Buy a used one.

Btw, you mentioned you ordered a new screen + LCD cable for testing. It seems you never went down this route? I'm thinking the other end of the LCD cable may be loose too.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I can't find a place to solder a new connector on for under anything affordable. I was quoted at "over $200" and "no more than $550" by the only two local places that would even do it."

Please go back and reread my reply #11 above...

 

[Sebapuppo]

Did you manage to fix this?? Was it the connector on the logic board or the screen itself? Same happened here.