Apple macbook pro 17 inch mid 2009 User Manual

MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Mechanical Issues: Thermals and Enclosure 111 2010-06-11
8. Inspect and reseat connections 
to thermal sensors throughout 
the system, run test for sensor 
monitoring.
YesThermal module or other 
sensor reseat resolved issue. 
X99
NoReplace logic board if sensor 
error.  Go to step 9.
9. After logic board replacement, 
is the computer running as 
expected?
YesBad logic board.  Issue 
resolved.
M23
NoUse minimum configuration 
troubleshooting to isolate...

© 2009 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.
 Apple Technician Guide 
Take Apart
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009)   

MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009) Take Apart — General Information 113 2010-06-11
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 cables
• heatsink sensor, if 
provided
• right speaker
• left speaker and 
microphone on 
underside of board
Locking Lever
• Flip up lever 90 
degrees for removal. 
• Slide...

MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009) Take Apart — General Information 114 2010-06-11
• BIL cable
• keyboard flex cable
Caution: Use black stick 
to push the keyboard flex 
cable all the way into 
connector to prevent “no 
power” symptoms. 
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...

MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009) Take Apart — General Information 115 2010-06-11
Replacement Caution: 
When connecting cables, 
make sure they are fully 
connected. For the camera 
cable, place shim behind 
connector so it helps 
secure the cable.
Replacement Caution: To 
prevent no video or 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 and shim is in 
place.
Caution: When 
disconnecting...

MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009) Take Apart — General Information 116 2010-06-11
Icon Legend
The following icons are used in this chapter:
IconMeaning
Warning or Caution
Check mark; make sure you do this
Do not touch
Temperature Concerns
The normal operating temperature of this computer is well within national and international 
safety standards. Nevertheless, customers may be concerned about the generated heat. To 
prevent an unneeded repair, you can compare a customer’s computer to a running model,...

MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009) Take Apart — Bottom Case 117 2010-06-11
First Steps
Warning:
• Shut down computer.
• Wait 10 minutes
• Unplug all cables.
• Put on ESD strap.
Tools
Clean, soft, lint-free cloth
• ESD wrist strap and 
mat
• Magnetized Phillips 
#00 screwdriver
• Black stick
• Magnifying glass
Bottom Case  

MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009) Take Apart — Bottom Case 118 2010-06-11
Removal
Caution: To prevent 
scratches, use a protective 
cloth when working with 
metal tools.
1 Important: The 
screws at the sides 
and front of the 
computer must be 
removed and installed 
at an angle.   

MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009) Take Apart — Bottom Case 119 2010-06-11
2 Remove 10 screws:
• 3 (13.5 mm) 922-8985
• 7 (3 mm) 922-8986
Replacement Note: Install 
screws in the order shown.
3 Use black stick to 
loosen and remove 
bottom case.   

MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009) Take Apart — Bottom Case 120 2010-06-11
4 Warning: If 
performing any other 
repairs, be sure to 
disconnect the 
battery cable by its 
pull-tab.
Replacement
1 When replacing a 
bottom case, retain 
the customer’s 
bottom case until the 
repair is complete. 
Before installing the 
replacement bottom 
case, write the serial 
number on the inside 
of the new bottom 
case.  You might need 
a magnifying glass to 
read it. Refer to 
Transferring the 
Serial Number.