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MacBook Pro A2159 No camera detected repair

From Repair Wiki
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.