Macbook Air 13 mid 2013 A1466 - function keys (top row) not working

[Ian.C]

Hi,

just looking for a bit of advice from a seasoned repairer... or anyone that has come accross this before.

My macbook air has received liquid damage (larger), i put it down on the table next to someone else's drink whilst i answered the door and my young son knowed it over. it normally spends all its time in a drink free room, called my office.... all my fault at the end of the day...

so i switched it off immediately and stripped it down completely to an empty top case...

basically liquid sensors mainly around the battery and trackpad were triggered. so i have now cleaned it thoroughly including the logic board with isoeophly alcohol, and replaced the keyboard and trackpad just to be on the safe side.

it powers on ok, charges / works on battery and functions normally except the function key's (top row) they don't do what they should do, ie change volume, screen and keyboard brightness etc and no symbol is displayed either on screen when i press them, they just make a sound when i press them...

has anyone got any ideas what might be wrong?

Thanks in advance

ian

 

[cyber16]

Are you sure you use the right model year track pad?
The Top function & media key layout has changed multiple times over the years.
All that usb keyboard logic is within the pcb on the underside of that track pad.
Normally if the wrong year model is used, they would still function, just not what the keys would reflect since the functions & layout has changed.

 

[Ian.C]

It loos the same, and the person I bought it from says it for an a1466 model.

I'm going to order a new logic board,

Thanks

Ian

 

[cyber16]

Logic board?
You do understand that both the keyboard & trackpad function under USB commands and the controllers for those come from the pcb that is mounted on the underside of that trackpad

I doubt the logic board is the answer for that particular problem

 

[Ian.C]

It's a strange one I have replaced both the keyboard and the trackpad.

The trackpad works fine, and all USB ports work fine to as the USB controller is controlled by the trackpad.

It's weird that only the power button works on the internal keyboard, if I connect an external keyboard via USB I can use my MacBook Air.

I have ordered a new keyboard, or do you think it's the trackpad?

Thanks in advance

Ian

 

[cyber16]

If you look at the pcb on that trackpad, you will see it has two sets of controller chips, one for the keyboard and the other for the trackpad.
The power switch is not operated via the usb

 

[Ian.C]

Hi

Thanks a lot for the advice, changed the trackpad and the keyboard is working, except the function key just make a sound when you press them but no action, ie change volume, brightness etc.... Just the same as before..

I'm going to check the part no that's on the old one and make sure they are the same, the listing on eBay says they are for a A1466

Thanks a lot

Ian

 

[cyber16]

Have you tried to program a new function to one of those keys just to make sure they are in working order?
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT3399

 

[Ian.C]

Yep tried that and they work fine, it's just the functions that are on the buttons that just don't work, it's very strange not sure what to do next?

 

[cyber16]

If the keys are functioning after being programed and they don't match the functions printed on the key by default. The track pad is the wrong model year.
OR the keyboard you installed was the wrong year. I am assuming you compared other mid 2013 models and the keyboard function key layout is the same. If they are, it can ONLY be the pcb on the back of the trackpad since that is what holds the logic for the keyboard layout.

 

[Ian.C]

Hi

I tried my friends top case and my logic board is fine and operates normally.

So like you have said it's either the trackpad or keyboard that's causing the problem..

I'm returning both items and I have taken the part nos of my old trackpad and keyboard to see if I can find the correct ones.

Thanks a lot for all the help

Thanks

Ian

 

[catherinek1]

Are you sure you use the right model year track pad?
The Top function & media key layout has changed multiple times over the years.
All that usb keyboard logic is within the pcb on the underside of that track pad.
Normally if the wrong year model is used, they would still function, just not what the keys would reflect since the functions & layout has changed.

Ummm. You are awesome. As obvious a thing as this is, you TOTALLY solved my problem! I swapped out a coffee soaked keyboard and trackpad on a 2012 MacBook Air a1466 with a brand new keyboard and a used trackpad from a 2010 MacBook Air a1369. Everything worked perfectly except for the brightness/volume keys. I tried absolutely everything (resetting SMC, resetting PRAM, booting in safe mode, checking keyboard preferences, etc.) I even reinstalled the OS, and almost felt completely defeated until I read your post about the media key layout changing over the years. Your pointing that out actually triggered my recollection that the 2010 MacBook Air a1369 model does NOT have a backlit keyboard... and the trackpad from the 2010 is the likely culprit! Again, obvious thing, but I'm doing a big happy dance now! Thanks