Apple Cinema Display M8149 LCD Control Board Replacement

Written By: Brett Murphy

Comments: 7

Apple Cinema Display M8149 LCD Control Board Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

25 - 50 minutes

Introduction

This guide will provide the steps for replacing the control board in an Apple Cinema Display M8149 LCD and switch on the main circuit board. Old Apple products can often wear down over time, making this a necessary fix for many users.

Warning: Due to the age of this device, it is advised that you be very careful with the internal and stray parts.

Tools

Step 1

Before starting, make sure the display is unplugged.
Place the Cinema Display so that it is lying on its face and the feet are pointed away from you.
Remove the three screws (9.52 x 4.43mm) that connect the back foot to the hinge using the Hex Key.
Remove the back foot from the hinge mount by grabbing the foot and pulling upwards.

Mine had hex head screws instead of Phillips head.

Bill Greene - 17/03/17

Hex 2.0 screws here too!

dietrichbatista - 25/03/18

Step 2

Remove the eighteen (5.25 x 4.43 mm) screws around the edge of the backplate using the Hex key.
Disconnect the small white connector leading to the display's Power button.
Gently lift the backplate off of the display. Completely remove the backplate and set it aside.

AND: Shall we mention right here, there is a small white connector leading to the display's POWER button that should be disconnected to slide the back plate off.

spudmcat - 21/02/17

These screws too were hex head, not PH2, on my display.

Bill Greene - 17/03/17

Exactly: Hex 2.0 screws

dietrichbatista - 25/03/18

Step 3

Use a Phillips #2 screwdriver to remove the four (9.52 x 3.43 mm) screws on the outer rim of the metal cover.
Next, remove the four cover (11.91 x 2.89 mm) screws located at the corners of the metal cover using the Phillips #2 screwdriver.

Here and on the next step you’ll m

need a PH 2 screwdriver

dietrichbatista - 25/03/18

Step 4

Unplug the large brown plug in the center-right, that connects the control board to the rest of the display.
Unplug the blue and gray plug on the right side of the control board. Repeat with the left side.

There are 2 Phillips screws at the center top and center bottom that need to be removed as well. They are parallel to the work surface if the screen is flat. The control board must be lifted slightly to access the screws. There's also a clip holding the disconnected power connector to the mechanisms below.

About This Matt -

Step 5

Gently lift the large metal cover which spans across the back of the whole display.

Step 6

Carefully remove the two tape plugs on either side of the control board using a spudger.

Step 7

Pull the previously removed tape out from the metal box with your hand.
Peel back the white plastic cover located on the tape plug and unplug the tape plug on the right side of the unit using the spudger.

Step 8

Unscrew the four screws (4.79x2.33mm) on the metal box using the Phillips #2 screwdriver.
Lift the metal cover off to reveal a circuit board.
Remove the two terminal screws (4.79x2.34mm) using the Phillips #2 screwdriver.