User profile for user: Earl Faneuf
Earl Faneuf Author
User level: Level 2
413 points

TCON display issues (overheating AGAIN??)

I see numerous discussions about the TCON board issue. I seem to be encountering this issue also.


Since the discussions basically say there is no user repairs possible and the cost of the fix via apple is high risk for this failure returning, many are saying bite the bullet and buy a new machine??


This disappoints me, if this is true. This is my 3rd macbook pro. All 3 have had design flaws and there has not been a fairness on the part of Apple to help the community for a bad design. This is horrible business, in my opinion. I love these machines, but I really fear this is not a good track record for them. After my first failure (the 17" model way back, with a serious design flaw where the video chip on the mother board would overheat and slightly de-solder itself from the motherboard. The suggested repair was pull the motherboard out and cover the connector ends and heat the board in an oven so it would reseat and re-solder itself. It actually worked for a while. But the heat was still so great it did it again. So I moved to a windows PC for a while. (in anger. But windows is not a MAC. Even with these flaws it is a great machine)


So eventually I got the itch and bought another MAC, this unit (15" 2017 model). Now again there is a heat issue with the internal boards. WILL APPLE NOT LEARN AND TREAT US LOYAL CUSTOMERS BETTER WITH FREE REPAIRS FOR FLAWS.


My question is, am I correct with this being a non fixable item in a cost effective way? (I see around $700+ since requires the display be replaced). Then the majority of comments is that it is a bad solution since this is a design flaw. So this will just come back again. Remember, this is the unit that had the keyboard design flaw and they had to replace a ton of keyboards (which included the battery which was attached). Why is this not considered a design flaw and should be repaired even when out of warranty for free. REALLY.


Suggestions? Comments?

Posted on Mar 24, 2023 06:13 PM

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User profile for user: HWTech
HWTech
User level: Level 9
66,764 points

Posted on Mar 25, 2023 12:19 PM

Unfortunately Apple does not consider a lot of things as design flaws although some of us in the hardware repair know there are design flaws galore especially on these USB-C Apple laptops. Consider the fact that Apple only provided a free backlight repair program for the MBPro 13" (2016) and not the 2017 model is very telling since they use the same exact parts and also had a high failure rate of the backlight cable (or the 15" models for both years as they also have the issue). In fact I have seen the cable issue with models as late as 2020, although much less frequently since Apple did modify the cable later on which greatly diminished the issue, but not eliminate it.


As for the TCON Board issue, I thought some techs were able to replace the defective chip...not certain though, but it is a very risky process that most techs are not capable of performing. It was a while ago when I saw the reference. However, the price to do so probably is not cheap due to the risky procedure.


You will likely be Ok to have Apple replace the display for you, if you feel comfortable for paying the estimated repair cost. Keep in mind the MBPro 15" (2017) model was discontinued July 12, 2018 according to EveryMac.com, so some time later this year Apple may make this model laptop "Vintage" and macOS 13.x Ventura may be the last supported macOS for it. If this does not happen this year, then most likely in 2024. Of course this is just based on Apple's previous behavior of only supporting hardware for five years after a product is discontinued.

I personally miss the older non-Retina models where every component in the display assembly could be replaced (Apple did not do this with official repairs, but it was possible through unofficial repairs...unfortunately the Retina screens are just too thin & fragile, besides the glass & LCD Panel are likely glued together anyway).


You can always leave Apple product feedback:

Product Feedback - Apple


Or contact Apple corporate to let them know of your displeasure with their designs.


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User profile for user: HWTech
HWTech
User level: Level 9
66,764 points

Mar 25, 2023 12:19 PM in response to Earl Faneuf

Unfortunately Apple does not consider a lot of things as design flaws although some of us in the hardware repair know there are design flaws galore especially on these USB-C Apple laptops. Consider the fact that Apple only provided a free backlight repair program for the MBPro 13" (2016) and not the 2017 model is very telling since they use the same exact parts and also had a high failure rate of the backlight cable (or the 15" models for both years as they also have the issue). In fact I have seen the cable issue with models as late as 2020, although much less frequently since Apple did modify the cable later on which greatly diminished the issue, but not eliminate it.


As for the TCON Board issue, I thought some techs were able to replace the defective chip...not certain though, but it is a very risky process that most techs are not capable of performing. It was a while ago when I saw the reference. However, the price to do so probably is not cheap due to the risky procedure.


You will likely be Ok to have Apple replace the display for you, if you feel comfortable for paying the estimated repair cost. Keep in mind the MBPro 15" (2017) model was discontinued July 12, 2018 according to EveryMac.com, so some time later this year Apple may make this model laptop "Vintage" and macOS 13.x Ventura may be the last supported macOS for it. If this does not happen this year, then most likely in 2024. Of course this is just based on Apple's previous behavior of only supporting hardware for five years after a product is discontinued.

I personally miss the older non-Retina models where every component in the display assembly could be replaced (Apple did not do this with official repairs, but it was possible through unofficial repairs...unfortunately the Retina screens are just too thin & fragile, besides the glass & LCD Panel are likely glued together anyway).


You can always leave Apple product feedback:

Product Feedback - Apple


Or contact Apple corporate to let them know of your displeasure with their designs.


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User profile for user: HWTech
HWTech
User level: Level 9
66,764 points

Mar 25, 2023 12:01 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Grant Bennet-Alder wrote:

I read the MacBook Pro forums every day, and have earned a lot of points responding to user's queries.

I have never heard of a "TCON board problem" or "TCON display issue".

Could you please tell Readers what you are talking about?

I have seen mention of this issue outside of the Apple forums on some hardware forums & communities. Usually this TCON board problem causes the thin horizontal line issue which kind of looks like scan lines on old CRTs, every other line of pixels has a horizontal gray line on it.



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TCON display issues (overheating AGAIN??)

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