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doynton

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 19, 2014
299
17
I was given an A1398 15" MacBookPro11,2 UK model (mid 2014) and the keyboard is broken. Only numbers 1-5 work and the letters QWER. Other keys trigger random letters/events and the RHS shift is always on.

Using onscreen or external (Apple Bluetooth) keyboard has the same errors as using the internal keyboard.

I was thinking of replacing the internal keyboard (which is a long procedure according to YouTube) but eBay descriptions are a bit vague. Can I use *any* A1398 European model keyboard (so from 2012 to 2015)? Or are there differences?

I'd like to replace the UK keyboard with a French AZERTY one ideally. Looking at the pictures the keyboard layout looks the same for UK and France (but different for US keyboards).

As most of the cheap keyboards come without backlight included how reasonable is it to be able to reuse the existing backlight?

I was looking at either this (EUR 32 with backlight) or this (EUR 19.50 without backlight). I'd need to buy 100 little screws in either case.

As I'm currently using a 2006 MacBookPro2,1 it would be a big step up but I don't want to buy the wrong bits if they will not work.
[doublepost=1551963110][/doublepost]Another thought, are any of these replacement keyboards any better or worse or is it all just a lottery like with batteries.
 

pshufd

macrumors G4
Oct 24, 2013
10,132
14,562
New Hampshire
Are you sure that this isn't a software issue? If you have three different types of keyboards with the same problem and they involve different hardware, then I'd look at the firmware/software first.
 
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Audit13

macrumors 604
Apr 19, 2017
6,893
1,837
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I recommend disconnecting the internal keyboard from the logic board and try the external keyboard again. If you are still getting errors, I recommend wiping the drive and re-installing the OS. If you are still getting errors, there may be a problem with the logic board which is a much more expensive fix.
 

doynton

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 19, 2014
299
17
I'm sure it isn't a software issue. I already disconnected the internal keyboard from logic board and installed Windows using Bootcamp which I'm more familiar with. I can see using the Windows on screen keyboard that the RHS shift is always held down when internal keyboard is connected.

Without the internal keyboard connected (and without the battery that I also removed) it works fine except it runs only at minimum CPU. That is because I removed the battery though. If I connect the internal keyboard MacOS only boots in Safe Mode (as RHS shift is always on). The trackpad also always right clicks (irrespective of what mouse I use) as the RHS shift is always on.

I'm wondering about what keyboard to get - will any European one work and whether I can get away with reusing the existing backlight.
 

Painter2002

macrumors 65816
May 9, 2017
1,197
943
Austin, TX
I agree with what the others have said. If you are having errors on both the internal keyboard and external keyboard it is likely a software or logic board issue.

Try disabling the internal keyboard in setting and/or disconnecting from the logic board and see if you still see errors when using the external keyboard. If you do still get errors your best bet is do to do a wipe and a fresh install of MacOS. If the issue continues after a fresh install I’d take it to a Genius Bar to have them take a look at it and see if you have a bad logic board.

Have you had anything that could have caused internal damage to the logic board, such as spilled liquid on the computer?
[doublepost=1551980607][/doublepost]
I'm sure it isn't a software issue. I already disconnected the internal keyboard from logic board and installed Windows using Bootcamp which I'm more familiar with. I can see using the Windows on screen keyboard that the RHS shift is always held down when internal keyboard is connected.

Without the internal keyboard connected (and without the battery that I also removed) it works fine except it runs only at minimum CPU. That is because I removed the battery though. If I connect the internal keyboard MacOS only boots in Safe Mode (as RHS shift is always on). The trackpad also always right clicks (irrespective of what mouse I use) as the RHS shift is always on.

I'm wondering about what keyboard to get - will any European one work and whether I can get away with reusing the existing backlight.
So to make sure, with the internal keyboard disconnected and using the external keyboard all the keys work correctly?
 
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Audit13

macrumors 604
Apr 19, 2017
6,893
1,837
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Sounds like the internal keyboard is the problem and a replacement keyboard will resolve the issue.

It is easy to damage the backlight during removal so I recommend ordering a backlight with the keyboard.

I'm not 100% sure but I don't see why a European keyboard would not work unless the European keyboard needs a different top case.
 
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doynton

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 19, 2014
299
17
Sounds like the internal keyboard is the problem and a replacement keyboard will resolve the issue.

It is easy to damage the backlight during removal so I recommend ordering a backlight with the keyboard.

I'm not 100% sure but I don't see why a European keyboard would not work unless the European keyboard needs a different top case.
That is my question really. I can see US keyboard is not the same - as far as I can see it has one less key and the return button is bigger.

From my (limited) checking all the European ones are the same but with different layout.

So are you saying I should get any A1398 keyboard, with a backlight included (in case I break the existing one). How delicate is it? I'm not an expert but not that ham-fisted either...
 

Audit13

macrumors 604
Apr 19, 2017
6,893
1,837
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
That is my question really. I can see US keyboard is not the same - as far as I can see it has one less key and the return button is bigger.

From my (limited) checking all the European ones are the same but with different layout.

So are you saying I should get any A1398 keyboard, with a backlight included (in case I break the existing one). How delicate is it? I'm not an expert but not that ham-fisted either...
The backlight is a separate item and it's attached after installing the keyboard. If you are careful during removal of the original backlight, you should be able to reuse it. I suggested ordering a backlight because it should not add too much to the total cost. It would be frustrating to damage the original (accidents happen) and not have a replacement on hand.

Yes, I would personally buy a European keyboard that fits the top case.
 

doynton

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 19, 2014
299
17
Thanks. I'll get the backlight as it is only another EUR 10.

Part of my original question is still unanswered though. Does any A1398 French AZERTY keyboard fit in any A1398 UK MBP? Are they the same from 2012 to 2015 (mine is mid 2014)
 

Audit13

macrumors 604
Apr 19, 2017
6,893
1,837
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The keyboard cable terminates below the left Alt key regardless of the keyboard type (azerty, qwerty, etc.) based on images I have seen on the internet. I have replaced a European keyboard on a 13" 2015 Air with a USA English keyboard by only changing the keyboard and top case, nothing else. Based on this, I would conclude that the azerty keyboard will work with your UK MacBook.
 

doynton

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 19, 2014
299
17
The keyboard cable terminates below the left Alt key regardless of the keyboard type (azerty, qwerty, etc.) based on images I have seen on the internet. I have replaced a European keyboard on a 13" 2015 Air with a USA English keyboard by only changing the keyboard and top case, nothing else. Based on this, I would conclude that the azerty keyboard will work with your UK MacBook.
I'm not planning on replacing the top case though - just the keyboard. The US and Euro keyboards are definitely different, the return key is a different shape (bigger) and the US keyboard has one less key.

Of course you can swap the whole top-case - I'm asking if you can swap UK for French keyboard only.
 

Audit13

macrumors 604
Apr 19, 2017
6,893
1,837
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I'm not planning on replacing the top case though - just the keyboard. The US and Euro keyboards are definitely different, the return key is a different shape (bigger) and the US keyboard has one less key.

Of course you can swap the whole top-case - I'm asking if you can swap UK for French keyboard only.
Based on looks, it seems the UK top case will fit azerty but I can't be 100% sure.

Maybe do this: remove the defective keyboard and lay it on top of a 2014 with an azerty to see if things line up.

Or this: get a UK keyboard but rearrange the keys to mimic azerty and change the keyboard in preferences.
 

doynton

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 19, 2014
299
17
Like you I think they look the same so hopefully I'm not missing something obvious. It is nice to get a bit of feedback to ensure I didn't miss something obvious (for example the layout of US keyboards having one less key) so thanks for that.

I was hoping someone had done it and could say for sure but I'll get one and hope for the best.
 
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