Dell 1545 - Dim Screen - Replaced just about every part!

[Simmy]

I've got a Dell Inspiron 1545 in with a dim screen (feint image but works perfectly on external monitor). Initially I tested the inverter with a test screen and the backlight lit up. I concluded the inverter was working and that the backlight in the screen was probably at fault.

I ordered an LED replacement screen with a converter cable, so this eliminates the old LCD panel and the old inverter as a potential problem. But the screen is still dim!

I've tried:
2 x new LED LCD panels
1 x new inverter to try with the old screen
1 x new cable to try with all screens

I've gone through just about every combination of the above parts, with the power adapter plugged in and brightness set to max in the BIOS.

Has anyone else had any luck or similar problems with an LED converted screen in an Inspiron 1545? I'm on the verge of snapping as I've ordered around £140 worth of parts and it looks like I won't get anything out of it, other than the hassle of having to return it all.

All I can concude now is only a direct replacement CCFL LCD panel will work or there's a fault with the motherboard. But the CCFL panels are probably more money than the customer wants to spend.

 

[SilverLeaf]

As ridiculous as it sounds, try dimming the display brightness via the keyboard buttons. I had a similar incident recently after an inverter replacement on a similar model. For some reason the keyboard brightness control functions were reversed afterward.

 

[NYJimbo]

Some DELLs also have screen brightness presets in the BIOS. Check that as well.

 

[stro]

I have also seen this where their must be something weird with the inverter/screen combo.

When you adjust the brightness on the keyboard, instead of progressing from dim to bright, it jumps all over the place. Problem is the brightest setting is not full brightness.

Last one of these I saw, I had to use the original inverter, and an exact replacement screen for it to work right. (Manufacturer, Model Number, Revision Number)

 

[mraikes]

Might also an issue with the lid sensor.

 

[seedubya]

I have also seen this where their must be something weird with the inverter/screen combo.

When you adjust the brightness on the keyboard, instead of progressing from dim to bright, it jumps all over the place. Problem is the brightest setting is not full brightness.

Last one of these I saw, I had to use the original inverter, and an exact replacement screen for it to work right. (Manufacturer, Model Number, Revision Number)

↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑ This ↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑
Had this happen more than once with Dells - to the point where we will not install anything other than a direct match in any Dell over 2 years old. Since they switched to LEDs and 15.6" screens the problem has gone away but almost all the older dells had this issue. A 15.4" CCFL screen should be cheap enough.

 

[Mindfulness]

It sounds as if you may have a bad fuse on the motherboard. I came across this issue on a 1545 and chose to short the fuse.

http://nwapchelp.wordpress.com/2011...f1-fuse-just-below-the-motherboard-connector/

Edit added later //

This may only apply to the newer led backlit models.

 

[Simmy]

Thanks all I'm always impressed when I submit a thread and come back to half a dozen or more good suggestions from you lot on here.

Screen brightness set to 100% in BIOS and tried manually setting it up and down with the fn key. No luck either way.

The lid switch appears to operate with a magnet on these machines, so that shouldn't be an issue with the magnet/screen bezel removed.

I'd not seen that fuse problem before, but having tested it the fuse hasn't blown.

I think a direct swap is probably the answer here, which is around £100 on ebay. Not sure if the customer will go for a £145 repair as they were already contemplating the £65 screen.

 

[seedubya]

Thanks all I'm always impressed when I submit a thread and come back to half a dozen or more good suggestions from you lot on here.

Screen brightness set to 100% in BIOS and tried manually setting it up and down with the fn key. No luck either way.

The lid switch appears to operate with a magnet on these machines, so that shouldn't be an issue with the magnet/screen bezel removed.

I'd not seen that fuse problem before, but having tested it the fuse hasn't blown.

I think a direct swap is probably the answer here, which is around £100 on ebay. Not sure if the customer will go for a £145 repair as they were already contemplating the £65 screen.

Simmy, I may have one of these in stock used but working. If you like PM me the part number and I'll see.

 

[Kitten Kong]

Ditto's here Simmy. I have a selection of lcd screens here. Let me know the part number, and I will have a look in the morning

 

[Simmy]

That'd be grand. It's a 15.6" screen. The part number is LTN156AT01 D02 or the dell part number 0R801J.

 

[LifelineIT]

For what it's worth, I had EXACTLY the same issue with a machine last year. Drove me NUTS. I changed the bulb, the inverter, tested the lid switch, cranked brightnesses, all of the above. After ALL that, the problem wound up being a single broken wire in the harness from motherboard to screen.

Replaced the harness for ~$7, problem fixed.

 

[seedubya]

That'd be grand. It's a 15.6" screen. The part number is LTN156AT01 D02 or the dell part number 0R801J.

Don't have it Simmy, sorry!

 

[Simmy]

No worries, the customer decided not to go ahead in the end given the cost of the screen.

Also, I tried a new ribbon cable without luck LifelineIT. I'll never know if an original replacement screen would have solved it now. I'll just assume it would have worked for my sanity.

 

[Kitten Kong]

I was waiting on cw getting in touch with you first shimmy. Do you still have the laptop?. If so, I know I have a screen.

For the cost of shopping mate its yours. It doesn't owe me anything as its a system pull, and you've helped me in the past, so returning the favour

 

[NYJimbo]

LOL, one of these just walked in the door.

Dell 1545 with dim screen. LTN156AT01 (no suffix code).

This should be fun. I don't have time for it today but tonight I will try all the usual stuff and try LED conversion. If it turns out to be a weird fix I will post more.