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Macintosh Performa 5400 Capacitor Replacement Guide

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Macintosh Performa 5400 (photo)
Power Macintosh 5500/275 in graphite. The Performa 5400 series uses the same enclosure.

Capacitor work on the Macintosh Performa 5400 series concerns four boards: the logic board, the power supply board, the analogue/video board and the CRT video board on the neck of the tube. Apple's Service Source for the Power Macintosh/Performa 5400 and 5500 is a module-level manual: it gives part numbers for whole boards and no component lists, values or schematics.[1] MacDat publishes a logic board list (below); for the power supply, analogue/video board and CRT video board no list is published by Apple, Recap-a-Mac or MacDat, so read the value, voltage and size off each capacitor before ordering replacements.

Safety

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This machine has a CRT that stays charged after it is unplugged, and a power supply and analogue board that run from mains voltage. Discharge the CRT and remove the anode cap before touching anything behind the rear EMI shield; see CRT Discharge Procedure. Apple lists "discharge the CRT" and "remove the anode cap" as preliminaries for its analogue board and CRT procedures, and warns against wearing an antistatic wrist strap until the CRT is discharged.[2][3] The large capacitors on the primary side of the power supply can also hold a charge; check them with a meter before handling the board.

The boards

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The power supply, analogue/video board and CRT assembly are shared with the Performa 5200 and 5300, and the Rev. A and Rev. B versions differ. Identify the revision first: speakers built into the front bezel mean the original version, and speakers fixed to the sides of the metal chassis mean Rev. B.[1][4]

Apple module part numbers, Performa 5400 series[5]
Board Platinum models Graphite models (5400/180, 5420, 5420/180) Also used in
Power supply 661-0930 (Rev. A), 661-0331 (Rev. A with thermistor at CN13), 661-1117 (Rev. B, thermistor at CN9) 661-1138 Performa 5200, 5300; Power Macintosh 5500
Analogue/video board assembly 661-0928 (Rev. A), 661-1356 (Rev. B) 661-1182 Performa 5200, 5300; Power Macintosh 5500
CRT assembly 661-0952 (US), 661-0954 (southern hemisphere) 661-0952, 661-0954 Performa 5200, 5300
Logic board 661-1072 (120 MHz), 661-1327 (160 MHz), 661-1324 (180 MHz), 661-1330 (200 MHz) 661-1072 (120 MHz), 661-1324 (180 MHz) 5400 series only

Apple says the three power supplies are not interchangeable and must be exchanged like for like, and that the Rev. A and Rev. B analogue and video boards are not interchangeable either.[4][2] Capacitor work on the 5200 and 5300 supply and analogue board therefore applies to the same boards in a 5400; see Macintosh Performa 5200CD Capacitor Replacement Guide.

Logic board

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MacDat lists fifteen surface-mount electrolytics on the logic board, from a photograph of a board silkscreened 820-0828-A that it titles "Power Macintosh 5400/6400".

Logic board 820-0828-A, surface-mount electrolytics (MacDat)
Value Voltage Quantity
47 µF 16 V 11
100 µF 6.3 V 4

Apple's module numbers above do not say which 5400-series logic boards are built on that board, and MacDat gives no designators, so compare your board with MacDat's photograph and read each part before ordering.[6]

Symptoms Apple sends to each board

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Apple's symptom charts give the order in which it replaced modules. The board named first is the one to inspect first:[7]

Symptom and first board to check (Apple symptom charts)[7]
Symptom Apple's order
Will not start Logic board reset, then power supply, then logic board
Starts from the rear switch but not the keyboard; restarts after Shut Down Analogue board (after trying a known-good keyboard)
No video, no sound, no drive activity Power cord, then analogue board, then logic board
Smoke or smell Analogue board, then power supply, then logic board
Clicking, chirping or thumping Analogue board, then logic board
Screen black or too dark while sound and drives work Adjustments, then analogue/video board, then power supply board, then CRT
Single horizontal or vertical line Analogue/video board, then CRT
Distorted sound from both speakers Analogue/video board
Crackling on sounds other than system beeps Audio Volume Extension 1.1 or later, then logic board

Procedure

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  1. Unplug the machine. Remove the I/O door (two security screws) and pull out the logic board by its handle.[2]
  2. Remove the rear housing (three Torx screws each side, under the screw covers), the front bezel and the rear EMI shield.[2]
  3. Discharge the CRT and remove the anode cap (CRT Discharge Procedure).
  4. Photograph every connector and cable run. Apple's power-supply and analogue-board procedures give different cable locations for Rev. A and Rev. B.[2]
  5. Remove the power supply, and for the analogue board the video board and analogue shield as well.[2]
  6. Inspect each electrolytic for a domed or split top, a dark ring or crust on the board, or a loose, tilted body. Record the marking on every capacitor before removing any: capacitance, working voltage, temperature rating and diameter. See Capacitor Failure Symptoms.
  7. Fit replacements of the same capacitance and at least the same voltage and temperature rating, observing polarity (the stripe on an aluminium electrolytic marks the negative lead).
  8. Clean the pads and any electrolyte residue with isopropyl alcohol, and inspect the solder joints around the parts you changed.
  9. Reassemble, then run the monitor for 10 minutes and check the high-voltage setting (29.5 V DC ± 0.1 V at D713 or D703) and the cutoff and white balance. Apple calls for the high-voltage adjustment after replacing the CRT or deflection board, and for cutoff after replacing the CRT or deflection board or disturbing the screen control.[3] The procedures are on Macintosh Performa 5400 General Maintenance.

Clock battery

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The clock battery is a 4.5 V alkaline pack on the logic board, which Apple replaces below 3.0 V.[8][9] Take it out while the logic board is on the bench. If it has leaked, neutralise the alkaline residue with dilute white vinegar before recapping the board; see Battery Explosion, Capacitor or Corrosion Damage.

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References

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  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Apple Computer, Power Macintosh/Performa 5000 Series (5400 and 5500) Service Source, 1997, Basics chapter: Rev. B (p. 2), Service Strategy ("module exchange and parts replacements", p. 13), CRT and Degauss Frame (p. 36). Hosted as File:Powermac.perf_5400.5500.pdf; see Power Macintosh/Performa 5000 Series Service Source.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Apple Computer, Power Macintosh/Performa 5000 Series Service Source, 1997, Take Apart chapter: I/O Door (pp. 17–19), Logic Board (pp. 20–25), Rear Housing (pp. 30–33), Front Bezel (pp. 34–37), Rear EMI Shield (pp. 40–42), Power Supply, Original Version (pp. 59–70), Power Supply, Rev. B (pp. 71–74), Video Board (pp. 75–78), Analog Shield (pp. 79–81), Analog Board, Original Version (pp. 82–89), Analog Board, Rev. B (pp. 90–93). Hosted as File:Powermac.perf_5400.5500.pdf.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Apple Computer, Power Macintosh/Performa 5000 Series Service Source, 1997, Adjustments chapter: Geometry (pp. 7–23), Video (pp. 24–38), High Voltage (pp. 39–43). Hosted as File:Powermac.perf_5400.5500.pdf.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Apple Computer, Power Macintosh/Performa 5200 and 5300 Service Source, 1997, Exploded View, p. 1; Take Apart, Power Supply, Rev. A, p. 57. Hosted as File:Powermac.perf_5200.5300.pdf.
  5. ↑ Apple Computer, Power Macintosh/Performa 5000 Series Service Source, 1997, Exploded View (5400/5500, p. 1; Performa 5400/180, 5420, 5420/180, p. 1). Hosted as File:Powermac.perf_5400.5500.pdf.
  6. ↑ MacDat, "Power Macintosh 5400 Capacitor Reference" (accessed 2026-10-12): logic board, 4 × 100 µF 6.3 V and 11 × 47 µF 16 V surface-mount electrolytics, with a reference photograph titled "Power Macintosh 5400/6400 Capacitor Reference" of a board silkscreened 820-0828-A. Secondary source.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Apple Computer, Power Macintosh/Performa 5000 Series Service Source, 1997, Troubleshooting chapter, Symptom Charts: System (pp. 3–4), Audio (pp. 5–6), Video (pp. 7–12), Miscellaneous (pp. 25–26). Hosted as File:Powermac.perf_5400.5500.pdf.
  8. ↑ Macintosh Performa 5400CD: Technical Specifications, Apple—link(accessed 2026-09-30) Battery type: 4.5 V alkaline.
  9. ↑ Apple Computer, Power Macintosh/Performa 5000 Series Service Source, 1997, Additional Procedures chapter, Battery Verification (pp. 1–2) and Battery Replacement (pp. 3–4). Hosted as File:Powermac.perf_5400.5500.pdf.


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