MacBook Pro, bad keyboard?

[tubeexperience]

A guy brought to me a Mid 2012 MacBook Pro (non-Retina) that won't turn on. He said that he spilled something on it.

Anyway, I don't see any sign of liquid even after removing the logic board and optical drive, so I am assuming that the keyboard backlit prevented the liquid from reaching the interior.

So... (after reassembling the laptop) I disconnected the keyboard and battery and plugged in the power adapter. The laptop powers on immediately and seems to operate normally (using a USB keyboard).

Now, I am very well aware that the power button is connected to the keyboard.

I am confident that the keyboard is the problem and needs replacing, but I am looking for a second opinion (or more) because I don't want to pay return shipping if the keyboard isn't really the problem.

 

[JTToft]

Sounds like the keyboard.
Did you try powering it own with the keyboard attached post-reassembly to see how that goes?

 

[jerryk]

Do have a spare keyboard to swap in?

 

[tubeexperience]

Sounds like the keyboard.
Did you try powering it own with the keyboard attached post-reassembly to see how that goes?

I did. It won't power on.

Do have a spare keyboard to swap in?

No, I don't.