MacBook Pro A2159 No camera detected repair

MacBook Pro A2159 No camera detected repair
Device	MacBook Pro A2159
Affects part(s)	Motherboard
Needs equipment	multimeter, soldering iron, soldering station
Difficulty	◉◉◉◌ Hard
Type	Soldering

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Problem description

Addressing issues with MacBook Pro 820-01598 not detecting the camera.

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Symptoms

• Camera not detected
• Possible burned or exploded L8504 filter on TCON board

Solution

Diagnostic Steps

Check L8504 Continuity

• Use a multimeter in continuity mode to check L8504 (Figure 1).
• Normal reading should be close to 0.01.
• If L8504 is blown or burned, proceed to the "L8504 blown or visibly burned repair steps" below.

Test with Known Good Display

• Verify camera function using a KNOWN GOOD display assembly.
• If the camera works with a different display, the original display might be faulty.
• Make sure to check L8504 before diagnosing the display issue.

Repair Steps

Camera Works with Known Good Display

If camera works with a known good test display, replace the display assembly.

L8504 Blown or Visibly Burned

• Understand that L8504 failure indicates a catastrophic short within the TCON board of the display or a melted/corroded display cable/connector.
• Repair L8504 only after addressing the display issue, as L8504 might fail again if the display issue persists.
• When replacing L8504, address corresponding pad and trace damage.
• Use 36 or 37 AWG enamel coated copper wire for jumper wires due to webcam and ambient light sensor power requirements.
• Connect jumper wire from the input side of the filter (PP5v_G3S) C5250.
• Apply conformal coating to jumper wire.
• Use a 120 Ohm ferrite filter rated for 1.5 amps (402 package size).
• After replacing L8504 and addressing trace issues, replace the display assembly or repair it by replacing damaged cables/connectors.

No Camera Function, L8504 Normal

• Attempt to restore T2/BridgeOs firmware via Apple Configurator 2 by entering DFU mode.
• Ensure your Mac is on the latest macOS version.
• Follow Apple's support article on reviving or restoring T2/BridgeOs firmware.
• If no camera function after firmware revive, and other causes are ruled out, U8504 might be faulty, or there could be trace/resistor issues between the camera connector/U8504 or between U8504 and the T2 chip.
• A hardware issue with the T2 chip might also cause camera detection problems.

If it is not any of the above, then it might be a failed camera secure disable chip (U8502). This is very rare.