Thread: white dotted line on screen

You could try to open it up and re-seat the ribbon cable to the display.

I'm afraid it has something to do with a faulty LCD display. The white line can be originated by a defective transistor on the display and the pixels of that line are turned off.

I agree that's the more likely cause of the line and a screen change is the only practical answer in that case. Worth trying removing the ribbon and clean the contacts before reseating though as dasilvarsa suggested in any case, but a dirty or misaligned contact is most unlikely to result in such a symptom. Screens for 14xx are cheap anyway, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and seeing you're in Honkers you'll probably get one at 'Mate's Rates'.

In case you're unfamiliar with the procedure how to replace the LCD screen: it's much easier than you think.
Here's a video clip showing you in real time how it's done on a nüvi 1300. The procedure on a 14xx is identical.
To open up the casing, you'll need a size 5 torx screw driver:



Only thing not shown very clearly in the video is how to detach the ribbon cable from the circuit board.
See picture below:



All you do is carefully lift the brown/grey strip (see red arrows) with two finger nails so that it rotates away from the ribbon cable.
The flap is a hinged part that stays with the connector on the circuit board:

Another comment or two about that video. Imo the guy is a bit of a cowboy. Not only does he open the case with a metal instrument which looks suspiciously like a spatula used for mixing dental cement, but he flips the ribbon connector locking strip up with only one fingernail. Both no-nos i reckon. 1. The case should be opened with a plastic implement of some kind, a case pry tool or a guitar plectrum or my my weapon of choice, an old credit card or used-up i-tunes or similar gift card to prevent damage to the case itself. It is possible to do it with a broad metal instrument but great care is needed. A plastic instrument is far less likely to leave marks and gouges. 2. The proof of the folly of flipping the strip up in the middle is in the reading of one of 2 comments below the video [some strips are also white, or black]:

Wesley Koot
1 year ago

Hi, I guess I broke the small white part that clicks in the connection cord between the LCD Screen and the motherboard... Is it possible to find this part on the internet? Grtz

Has gone unanswered of course, whereas the other 'thanking' comment was acknowledged .... ummmm ... 'Buckley's chance' would have been a suitable response anyway. As smokefree states, use two fingernails in unison towards the extremities of the strip [or be prepared to try out lolypop000's suggested 'jury rig' repair of a piece of plastic drinking-straw covered with duct tape.

ummmm using a plastic or metal screw driver will do the same damage but the plastic one may break first.
But if you know where the lock tabs are first will make for easier case splitting and when lifting connecter tabs all care and balanced lifting is best. some lift and others slide.
Enjoy the world of Micro Electronics - I do.

Originally Posted by Ignatron

ummmm using a plastic or metal screw driver will do the same damage but the plastic one may break first. ......

In the case opening example in the vid where the guy's using the dental cement spatula, he's doing it the way most ppl familiar with opening nuvi cases do it. That is: slide in and lever, moving progressively after getting minimal separation [because there are no 'press release' or 'slide release tabs' as such]. He does it quite quickly which suggests he's very familiar with the procedure and would know precisely how much force to use levering before moving the instrument again.

My 'cowboy' comment (#1) is because many ppl would not know to use a metal opening tool with finesse and would lever too hard in one spot causing damage. Your point that a plastic tool could also do damage is correct if the tool is harder than the case material. The ones I suggested are not harder than the case, and do break before they'll damage it which is the point. The problem simply doesn't happen if the correct technique is used regardless of tool material, but a plastic tool is far more forgiving so demonstrating to beginners using a metal tool is not a responsible thing to do imo. I notice he removed the outer bezel with his fingernails, not the metal spatula, and that's for good reason because he doesn't have a plastic tool in sight.