MacBook Pro 2015 partially dead.

[jwar1976]

Hi all,

My MacBook Pro 13” early 2015 suddenly crashed a few days ago and will not turn back on. I took off the back and noticed that not only had a cable come out of place, but also the cable is completely knackered. The cable in question is the tiny ribbon cable next to the keyboard / trackpad cable, which seems to be coming from under the battery and leads to a tiny socket on the logic board.

I have no idea what this cable is called, so have included an image of it.

Many thanks

 

[Webster's Mac]

Hi all,

My MacBook Pro 13” early 2015 suddenly crashed a few days ago and will not turn back on. I took off the back and noticed that not only had a cable come out of place, but also the cable is completely knackered. The cable in question is the tiny ribbon cable next to the keyboard / trackpad cable, which seems to be coming from under the battery and leads to a tiny socket on the logic board.

I have no idea what this cable is called, so have included an image of it.

Many thanks

Can you post a picture that is zoomed out a bit. I'm looking at a repair guide right now for your model but I'm trying to find which exact cable you are talking about.
[doublepost=1560186663][/doublepost]Ok I 've taken a look at the teardown...and that looks like the keyboard cable. You will need a top-case replacement. And they will need to test the logic board to ensure it's ok.

 

[jwar1976]

Can you post a picture that is zoomed out a bit. I'm looking at a repair guide right now for your model but I'm trying to find which exact cable you are talking about.
[doublepost=1560186663][/doublepost]Ok I 've taken a look at the teardown...and that looks like the keyboard cable. You will need a top-case replacement. And they will need to test the logic board to ensure it's ok.

Thanks for that, here is the zoomed out image, where my thumb is.

 

[Webster's Mac]

Thanks for that, here is the zoomed out image, where my thumb is.

Try cleaning that cable with some isopropyl rubbing alcohol (preferably 91% or higher) and insert it back into the slot on the logic board. Be sure to get it in there as close to perfectly straight as you can. You shouldn't see any exposed metal as well. Be careful not to tear the cable or put to much pressure on the logic board connector. Once you have reconnected the cable, ensure the battery is connected and then connect it to your MagSafe charger. Hold down Shift + Control + Option + Power for 10 seconds to reset the SMC. Then try to power on your MacBook. If it boots up, test each row of keyboard keys to ensure they all respond. If certain keys don't respond, you didn't insert the cable in properly.

Good luck!
[doublepost=1560187764][/doublepost]Also, I would highly recommend disconnecting the battery before doing this as well.

 

[Audit13]

It looks like residue from exposure to liquid.

Have you tried cleaning the area with pure isopropyl alcohol?

Try this too: disconnect the keyboard cable, disconnect the battery, connect the MagSafe, don't touch the machine, and see if the MacBook turns itself on in about 30 to 60 seconds.

 

[Webster's Mac]

It looks like residue from exposure to liquid.

Have you tried cleaning the area with pure isopropyl alcohol?

Try this too: disconnect the keyboard cable, disconnect the battery, connect the MagSafe, don't touch the machine, and see if the MacBook turns itself on in about 30 to 60 seconds.

That's not liquid damage...that's where the blue plastic stuff that houses the leads from the keyboard came off. Yea that cable is probably hosed. OP will need to have the topcase replaced...which I would recommend having done at an Apple Store or AASP if possible. The nice thing is that it will also replace the battery, and the keyboard will be brand new as well.

 

[Audit13]

Based on my experience with putting together MacBook pros and airs, the fact that a MacBook doesn't turn on when pressing the power button doesn't mean that replacing the keyboard and/or battery will solve the issue.

By disconnecting the keyboard and battery and then connecting the charger will sometimes cause the MacBook to power up on its own. I've "fixed" a few MacBooks that I bought of Craiglist by following this procedure first and then reconnecting things only to have it become fully functional with no further tinkering.

 

[jwar1976]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I have tried the alcohol clean and still no joy, so looks like it is a top case job. I am going to hold off for awhile as the machine cost me £550 used, I am looking at another £200+ in parts for me to do it myself, as I dread to think how much it would cost to get serviced professionally, especially if there are any issues with the logic board.

In short I need to decide if I am willing to pay out all that extra money for a machine that is going to be 5yrs old next year, or if I am going to cut my losses and sell it as not working.

I am going to contact a local Mac doctor and see if I can get a rough quote from him on how much I am looking at, before I decide my next step.

Thanks again for the advice everyone it is much appreciated

 

[Fishrrman]

I would take that to an Apple Store and see what they could do about it...

 

[jwar1976]

I would take that to an Apple Store and see what they could do about it...

Went into my local Apple store today and they said that I would be best of selling it for parts and putting the money towards one of the more recent models. I then went into a repair shop and the chap in there said most times when that cable is knackered, it would be a top case replacement and he said that would be £200 including labour, which isn’t that bad as the replacement part costs around £130 on eBay. I then went into another shop and he said to leave it with him and he would get back to me tomorrow with a free no obligation quote, so have done that.

Will be interesting to hear what he comes back with.

 

[jwar1976]

Well I managed to get the MBP repaired, the engineer said that it was one of the most complex jobs that has ever done on a MBP as he needed to use a microscope to do the soldering and even he wasn’t sure if it would be successful or not. But thankfully it was successful but at a cost of £180, I think if it was much more, then I may not even have bothered.