Retina MBP Trackpad unresponsive followed by computer not turning on, with potential liquid damage?

[bms259]

I have a 15in Retina MacBook Pro from 2013 (Model A1398).

It will not turn on, but the fans run very quietly. Connected to the charger, the green indicator light comes on.

I started my morning by spilling coffee all over my desk. My MBP was sitting on the desk. I quickly wiped it down, and it seemed to be ok. As far as I could tell, no coffee got near the internals of the computer.

It seem to work ok, so I started to do the work I needed to. But shortly the track pad starting acting up, and soon start working. There’s a chance the the keyboard wasn’t working right too (but it could have just been me uncaffineated, sleepy, and a little flustered).

I tried to restart the computer, and it restarted fine, but the trackpad still won’t work, so I couldn’t log in. I tried to restart again, and the computer booted into a password recovery mode. But by I still couldn’t get the keyboard/trackpad to respond.

Eventually the computer got turned off. Whether I did or it shut off automatically, I’m not entirely sure. All I know is that it won’t turn on.

I tried to reset the SMC using Shift + Control + Option + Power. I tried doing the same thing using a USB keyboard. As far as I can tell, that didn’t accomplish anything, except perhaps allow the fans to run very quietely.

I got my hands on the proper screw driver, and opened up the back, and I don’t see any evidence of coffee getting into the internals. If it did, it came through the left side. There was a lot of dust, but no coffee as far as I can tell. I saw no pink water indicators either.

What can I do? What should I try. It’s a road trip to get to the nearest Apple store, and I can’t get there for a few days. What options do I have?

Thanks in advance!

 

[jerryk]

My guess is some coffee did get into the unit.

I would shut it off, disconnected the Magsafe, and let it sit for a few days with the bottom cover off to dry out. Hopefully things will be better and it will run. But do not be surprised if they do not get better. You may end up having to take or send the unit in to Apple or a 3rd party repair shop.

Best of luck.

 

[bms259]

My guess is some coffee did get into the unit.

I would shut it off, disconnected the Magsafe, and let it sit for a few days with the bottom cover off to dry out. Hopefully things will be better and it will run. But do not be surprised if they do not get better. You may end up having to take or send the unit in to Apple or a 3rd party repair shop.

Best of luck.

Thanks! I just got off the phone with Apple support, and they suggested taking it in for repair. What’s the likelihood that they will be able to repair it, and at what cost?

How long would you suggest waiting for it to dry? Tuesday is the earliest I can take it which would be just over 48 hours from the initial incident.

 

[jerryk]

Thanks! I just got off the phone with Apple support, and they suggested taking it in for repair. What’s the likelihood that they will be able to repair it, and at what cost?

How long would you suggest waiting for it to dry? Tuesday is the earliest I can take it which would be just over 48 hours from the initial incident.

No idea on cost and time. Depends what they have to do to resolve the issue. You might want to call Apple back and ask them about the cost.

I would think if things were going to improve by drying out 48 hours should be enough.

I hope you get good news from Apple.

 

[Audit13]

Residue left from the spill is what will cause the circuitry to degrade based on my experience with laptops that have suffered liquid damage.

If the MacBook had warranty, take it to an apple store.

If there is no warranty, I recommend disconnecting the battery and removing add a many components as possible. Look for any signs of corrosion. Clean any corroded areas with pure isopropyl alcohol.

 

[MC6800]

Coffee (like many drinks) has acids that eat the copper traces on the boards, so just drying it usually doesn't work. The liquid tends to wick under parts and into connectors. Disassembling and soaking the boards thoroughly in water right away is the only real solution.

 

[Audit13]

If you are going to soak the components, I recommend using distilled water.

 

[bms259]

Residue left from the spill is what will cause the circuitry to degrade based on my experience with laptops that have suffered liquid damage.

If the MacBook had warranty, take it to an apple store.

If there is no warranty, I recommend disconnecting the battery and removing add a many components as possible. Look for any signs of corrosion. Clean any corroded areas with pure isopropyl alcohol.

That doesn't sound good...

The laptop is almost 5 years old, so it's way out of warranty, but after speaking with Apple on the phone, they indicated they should be able to repair for a few hundred dollars.

The battery isn't user-removable. If I try to take it out, would that affect Apple's ability or willingness to repair it out of warranty?

I've managed to replace batteries, drives, and RAM on my Macs in the past, but never so far as remove logic boards and other components. As unserviceable as Apple has made their more recent computers, it makes me nervous to try...

Would I be better off sending it to Apple or giving it a go myself?
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Coffee (like many drinks) has acids that eat the copper traces on the boards, so just drying it usually doesn't work. The liquid tends to wick under parts and into connectors. Disassembling and soaking the boards thoroughly in water right away is the only real solution.

I think that may be beyond my skill set...I've only ever replaced drives, RAM, and batteries in my Macs.

 

[Audit13]

I suggested going to apple because I have a refurbished late 2013 MacBook pro 13" that is still covered under apple care because I got it in 2016.

The battery is just replaceable but I think it is glued to the upper casing.

It's up to you in terms of how to proceed but I'd be surprised if apple doesn't quote less than $400 since a new battery is almost $300 CAD: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/mac/repair/service

 

[old-wiz]

The Apple warranty does not cover liquid damage or dropping onto the floor.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

You can unplug the battery yourself