Thinkpad 600 screen not always displaying, backlight on

[SnakeEyes]

Recently the monitor to my Thinkpad 600 2645 31U has had an issue where the backlight is on but I have to move the lid back and forth to get it to display anything. And it's not always with the lid in the same spot. I can maneuver it back and forth a bit and it will at some point display at an acceptable lid position. Any ideas what the problem is and how to fix it?

[tfflivemb2]

If I am understanding you right, your backlight is on, but nothing is showing up on the display, correct? (unless the display is moved)

Try reseating your LCD cables, both ends.

[SnakeEyes]

Correct, the backlight is on but nothing shows on the display unless I play with the lid positioning and find a spot where it does display. If I move the lid after it stops displaying. But the backlight stays on the entire time.

[tfflivemb2]

Then the inverter and backlight are working properly.

Try reseating the LCD cable, as it sounds like the cables are not pushed in all the way, thus the movement creates a more stable connection.

[SnakeEyes]

Those are the three connectors that the orange ribbon are connected to. Two behind the LCD paneling on the right hand side and one under the keyboard, right? I reseated those and it didn't correct the problem.

Side note, it's been getting progressively worse over time. It used to just be a slight lid repositioning would get it to display again. Now i have to move it back and forth a bunch until it displays things again.

[tfflivemb2]

OK, look closely at the LCD ribbon cable...there might be a tear in it.

[SnakeEyes]

OK, look closely at the LCD ribbon cable...there might be a tear in it.

Ahhh, the problem has been discovered. The whatever it's called, I guess spooled ribbon on the right hinge has gotten misaligned and the opening and closing of the cover created a tear as it comes off the spool heading to behind the LCD. Thank you.

Now to decide if I want to seek out a new ribbon or see if I can position it to minimize the problem for now. If I wanted a new ribbon what/where would i be looking?

[tfflivemb2]

Glad that you found it. Atleast the cables aren't that expensive. You should be able to get another one off of eBay for less than $20 shipped.

Or post an ad in the Marketplace here, and you might get one cheaper. Lots of 600/600E parts here.

[SnakeEyes]

Can someone let me know what part number for a new LCD cable I need to be looking for? Only thing I am pretty certain is my model has a 12.1 which uses a diffferent cable, right?

[tfflivemb2]

According to page 105 of your Hardware Maintenance Manual, the part number for LCD cables is 05k2655 for the 12.1" LCD.

[SnakeEyes]

Thanks for the info and the link to the hardware manual