Fix Your Stuff Community Store

Released October 24, 2011 / 2.2, 2.4, or 2.5 GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7 Processor

405 Questions View all

Options

Keyboard not working after water spill.

Working on a water spill in my keyboard. I thought I had an early 2011 MBP 15". I purchased it April 28, 2011. Is has an extra high resolution screen, but is not a retina display. In checking the photos on iFixit.com for the MBP 15" Unibody laptops, it is a late 2011 MBP 15". It is also not a retina MBP 15" (2012).

After the spill, I didn't turn it off as I was in the middle of teaching a class (bad mistake). After I got home and wiped it clean, I powered it on and the keyboard was not working correctly. Multiple characters from some of the keys. I turned it off and dried it out for 24 hours. Then I powered it back on and the keyboard is dead. Track pad works, mouse works, WiFi works, System is working, disk drive is fine, but no keyboard. Plugged in a USB keyboard and it works. Application Icons in the tray don't start with a key click, but will open from a right click menu. All seems to be working, except for the keyboard.

I suspect the logic board either needs cleaning or replacing. Top of logic board looks good. Haven't looked at the bottom of the board yet. Don't see anything on iFixit about a keyboard replacement. Can the keyboard on this laptop be replaced? Do I need a new logic board?

Sure need some advice. I'm capable of removing the components, including the logic board. I am ordering the tools to make it easier. Just want to know if after taking all apart and cleaning it, what the probability is that the logic board needs repair. I don't have the tools to repair the logic board.

Answer this question I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Yes No
Score 0
3 Comments

ugh. I have the same problem and have never done this detailed kind of work before. what tools do I buy? or should I find a repair shop?

by

@Chris Jones That depends on the extent of damage, time passed after the spill and time you are willing to dedicate to the job. Considering that those machines are dying like flies at first snow due to a faulty GPU design, I'd avoid putting many efforts on it.

by

@arbaman Just install the disable GPU software: http://dosdude1.com/gpudisable/

by

Add a comment

1 Answer

Filter by:
Most Helpful Newest Oldest
Most Helpful Answer

Options

Sounds like the keyboard has been shorted out. It will need to be replaced. Keyboards can be found on eBay. It is a lot of work as about 86 tiny screws will need to be replaced. I use a small electric screw driver to remove the screws. Count on about two and half hours time if you are good with your hands.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 3

3 Comments:

Thanks, Mayer! Really appreciate your reply!

Any chance I could take out the old keyboard and clean it up and have it work?

Do you know where the logic for the keyboard is located? Must be on the keyboard, if a short can kill it. Mechanically all the keys work fine. It was a water spill so it isn't sticky.

Is there a logic chip on the touch pad that controls the keyboard? Seems like I read that somewhere. But, the touch pad works just fine. I'm tempted to take everything apart, and clean all very thoroughly, put it back together and see if it works. But, if the keyboard is bad, that doubles my labor!

The fact that a USB keyboard works makes me believe that the logic board is OK. What about replacing the upper panel? Does that give me a new keyboard and touch pad? About the same amount of work as replacing the keyboard. Rather expensive, much more than a keyboard on eBay.

My discussion above about it being a late 2011 MBP 15" is wrong.

by

Your best bet is an uppercase replacement if you want to save time but it's costly. The keyboard replacement is much cheaper but lots of time. No one to my knowledge has ever been able to repair a shorted out keyboard.

by

OK, I'll trust your experience. I'll get a keyboard coming and wait until it is here to do the tear down. Thanks again for the advice!

by

Add a comment

Add your answer

Vee Butterfield will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 0

Past 30 Days: 8

All Time: 3,037