Apple macbook pro 15 inch mid 2009 User Manual

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) — Symptom Charts — Mechanical Issues: Thermals and Enclosure 1112008-09-18
Mechanical Issues: Thermals and Enclosure
Reset/Power Button Stuck
Unlikely cause:  LCD, hard drive, optical drive
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Reset/Power Button Stuck
• System will not power on
• System sounds bootROM 
unlock tone during startup
• System automatically starts up 
repeatedly
1. Diagnose stuck button with SMC keyboard reset 
sequence
2.  Check for issue occurrence on battery and on...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) — Symptom Charts — Mechanical Issues: Thermals and Enclosure 1122008-09-18
3. Inspect keyboard flex cable for 
loose or damaged connections.    
 
Align and reseat the keyboard 
flex cable on logic board 
connector. 
 
 Does power-on key now work 
correctly?
YesCable reseat restored power-
on key operation.
NoPower-on key still appears to 
be stuck or open.  Go to step 
4.
4.  Remove two screws on metal 
cable cover to access keyboard 
connector. 
 
-Plug known good...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) — Symptom Charts — Mechanical Issues: Thermals and Enclosure 1132008-09-18
System Runs Hot
Unlikely cause:  LCD, hard drive, optical drive
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
System Runs Hot
• System feels very warm
• Fan(s) not working
• Fan(s) are full on
1. Verify the computer operating on a flat, hard 
surface and the vents are not blocked.
2.  Verify the computer is not running hotter than 
expected for normal operation. If possible, 
compare to a similarly configured...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) — Symptom Charts — Mechanical Issues: Thermals and Enclosure 1142008-09-18
4. Reseat fan connection to logic 
board or test a known-good 
fan.  Replace a fan that is not 
spinning or replace logic board 
that is not spinning a known-
good fan.  Is fan(s) working 
properly?
YesReseating or replacing bad 
fan resolved issue.  Replace 
logic board if it does not work 
with known-good fan.
X99    
or      
M18
NoGo to step 5.
5. Is the heatsink installed 
properly with no...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) — Symptom Charts — Mechanical Issues: Thermals and Enclosure 1152008-09-18
Uncategorized Symptom
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Uncategorized Symptom
Unable to locate appropriate 
symptom code
Verify whether existing symptom code applies to  the 
issue reported by the user. If not, document reported 
symptom and send feedback to smfeedback@apple.
com stating that a suitable symptom code could not 
be found.  

© 2009 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.
 Apple Technician Guide 
Take Apart
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009)   

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Take Apart — General Information 117 2010-12-15
Vertical Insertion 
(JST )
• Use black stick under 
cable to remove.
• Keep connector 
level to board when 
disconnecting and 
reconnecting.
• Press evenly when 
reconnecting or 
connector can be 
tipped up and not fully 
seated.
Examples:
• fan cable
• heatsink sensor
• left speaker on 
underside of board
Locking Lever
• Flip up lever 90 
degrees for cable 
removal. 
• Slide connector 
into receptacle. Use 
tweezers if...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Take Apart — General Information 118 2010-12-15
Horizontal Install
• Pull connector, not 
cable, to remove. 
• Slide connector into 
receptacle on same 
horizontal plane as 
board.
Examples:
• MagSafe cable on 
underside of board
• battery power cable on 
underside of board
Thin, Multi-Pin 
Horizontal Insert
• Use fingernails or 
tweezers to remove 
evenly.
• Slide connector into 
receptacle on same 
horizontal plane as 
board.
Examples shown:
• LVDS cable with lock 
bar
•...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Take Apart — General Information 119 2010-12-15
Replacement Caution: 
When connecting cables, 
make sure they are fully 
connected.
Replacement Caution: To 
avoid a short to the logic 
board, be sure to place 
EMI gasket on camera 
cable—positioned 
precisely where shown—
after cable is fully 
connected to logic board. 
Then, place black shim 
behind connector.  

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Take Apart — General Information 120 2010-12-15
Low-Profile Solid 
Platform Flex
• Use black stick and 
gentle rocking motion 
to release tension to 
remove cable.
• Keep connector level 
to board and press 
evenly on platform to 
install.
Examples:
• optical drive flex cable
• trackpad flex cale