Juice Poured On MacBook Air

[Oka]

MacBook Air (2020)

Son tripped juice cup, which poured on the keyboard, left it and ran to tell me what happened without, at least turning the laptop sideways or upside down to reduce the amount of juice in side. I cleaned all I could. Since then, it will not power at all.

1. It shows it has a fully charged battery.

2. Two months later, now, I can power it up, only with the AC cord attached.
When you pull the power cord, the laptop shuts down. Looks like the battery
link to the board must have been 'blocked' by the dried up juice.

3. With the power cord connected and powered on, I can input the password for
the user name, but cannot get it started. It looks like the "Return" key is not functioning from the juice.

4. I can move around the cursor.

I am technically savvy enough to work in the laptop, or is it something I would HAVE to take in for repairs?

Thanks

 

[wilberforce]

I suppose you could get a pentalobe p5 screwdriver and take the bottom off and take a look, but unlikely to be able to do much.
I have had electronic equipment (a $2000 ham radio) doused in salt water, and it was extremely difficult to salvage myself - and I had a detailed circuit diagram, testing equipment, and had to solder in a replacement part after about a week of diagnosis figuring out what was wrong.
Waiting two months is not in your favor either. Almost certainly there has been corrosion.

If it was an old machine with nothing to lose I might try disconnecting the battery and flushing with distilled water. Chance of success is about 10%.
Given that it is a new machine, if I were you I would take it in for diagnosis and repair asap.

 

[LucniKonik]

as wilberforce, except instead distilled water I would use Isopropanol or Isopropyl alcohol (same thing, only two names) - the cleaner version the better (I am using 99,5% clean Isopropyl for cleaning and saving "wet"electronic)

 

[JPack]

There is little chance you can fix it by yourself with no tools and parts.

Typically, the keyboard and backlight will both need to be replaced and it involves a complete teardown of the computer.

 

[Oka]

While thinking on what to do, just curious. Why would it show as fully charged, but when the AC cord is pulled, it powers off? I would think the battery is physically connected to the board, right?

 

[JPack]

While thinking on what to do, just curious. Why would it show as fully charged, but when the AC cord is pulled, it powers off? I would think the battery is physically connected to the board, right?

You’re asking the hardest question. Most repair techs will tell you finding the fault is the most difficult part. Performing the SMD repair is relatively easy. It might be a short causing an overcurrent and protection kicking in.

The longer you wait, the more corrosion happens and the more difficult the fix.

 

[elvisimprsntr]

CAUTION: Do this with the laptop outside and away from combustible sources and in a well ventilated area. If the battery is shorted, it could result in a battery fire.

1. Hook up an external keyboard/mouse.
2. Make a TM backup ASAP, if you don't already have one.
3. If you don't have Apple Care, file a claim against your home owners insurance and buy a new one.
4. Restore new laptop from TM backup.
5. Buy a keyboard cover: https://www.amazon.com/CaseBuy-MacBook-Air-A2179-Accessories/dp/B0872DKMQ5
6. Reset old laptop to factory defaults and/or re-install macOS without preserving old data.
7. Make sure to remove from iCloud account and remove activation lock.
8. Send old laptop to recycler or sell on eBay as is for parts.