Keyboard not "fully" working after battery replacement.

[jordaniite]

Hello!

After replacing the battery on my MacBook Pro (Model A1502; early-2015), the trackpad and keyboard have stopped working.

• Initially, the trackpad was working perfectly and just the keyboard was the problem, but now, the trackpad stopped working as well.

• After reading that a common problem is the fragility of the ribbon cable between the trackpad and keyboard, I ordered and replaced this cable, but to no avail. 

• I managed to get ONE key to work on the keyboard for a moment (the “;” key) but that didn’t last long. 

• I followed this video tutorial for the battery replacement YouTube
• Update: I managed to get everything back to the initial state it was in; the trackpad working fine again, as well as the “;” key on the keyboard, but no other keys. 


Given the circumstance, I am wondering if this could be something as simple as a loose connection somewhere (though I believe I have tightly secured all connections), however, I don’t believe this has anything to do with a physically faulty keyboard or trackpad, given that they both did work momentarily. I’m kindly asking if replacement of keyboard and trackpad can be avoided here.

The Apple Store isn’t much help here in the Metro Detroit area so I’m trying to fix this myself. In fact, they’re just pushing me to upgrade to a newer laptop. Super frustrating response.

Any suggestions? =)

 

[Rod]

I had to have a faulty battery replaced on a 2year old MBP 12" 2015 model and Apple told me that replacement of the keyboard and trackpad was a necessity but since it was done under warranty I didn't question it.

 

[badshoehabit]

My 2015 model was recalled because of the fire issue - keyboard and trackpad replaced at same time.

 

[chscag]

Sorry we can't be of more help, but as a standard repair procedure Apple replaces the keyboard, trackpad, and top case on that model when they replace the battery. And by the way, viewing that YouTube video shows how complex and advanced it is to remove the battery. Not sure I would have attempted it myself. Lots to go wrong.

Let us know if you figure it out.

 

[jordaniite]

Sorry we can't be of more help, but as a standard repair procedure Apple replaces the keyboard, trackpad, and top case on that model when they replace the battery. And by the way, viewing that YouTube video shows how complex and advanced it is to remove the battery. Not sure I would have attempted it myself. Lots to go wrong.

Let us know if you figure it out.

Chscag, I appreciate your shared experience, but I have seen the battery replaced on this model many times without keyboard and trackpad replacement. The fact that the trackpad and keyboard intermittently work strongly suggests a lose connection, and strongly suggests that it is NOT necessary to replace the keyboard and/or trackpad.

I'm also an engineer and was confident in my ability to change the battery, but obviously something came loose and I am just wondering if anyone can help me identify that issue a bit faster from their own experience.

Does anyone else have any suggestions, maybe more relevant to securing cable connections?

I am kindly asking this thread remains open in case someone sees this within the next month or so. Seems like the battery swelling issue is happening in synchrony with many MacBook Pros (typically 2013-2015).

 

[Slydude]

I am kindly asking this thread remains open in case someone sees this within the next month or so. Seems like the battery swelling issue is happening in synchrony with many MacBook Pros (typically 2013-2015).

Welcome to the forum.

I don't have an answer fro your question but since you're new here you might not have noticed that we don't just close threads here. As a general rule threads are left open and only closed when they have clearly run their useful course or something else indicates that it's necessary (such as when a thread becomes a target for spammers).

We routinely have members add comments to older threads with no problems although once a thread has been around a while we recommend starting a new thread rather than adding to an existing thread.

 

[ferrarr]

You can look here, MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Early 2015 Battery Replacement - iFixit Repair Guide, to see if you notice what (if any) steps may have been skipped missed?

 

[Rod]

I think Apple may simply view it from the point of view that if they replaced the battery only (although I'm sure it's possible) they may run into keyboard or trackpad issues after return to the customer requiring additional time (money) whereas just replacing the whole top layer is less likely to result in returns. It's a bit like Apple's advice line suggesting reinstalling the OS for a minor software problem, it's drastic but probably saves time by ruling out some possibilities.

 

[chscag]

Apple does what they do because of the way the battery is glued in to the chassis and is actually in several parts. Part of the procedure the OP followed was to apply glue remover before prying the battery loose. He stated that he had done the procedure before so I'm sure that either a connection is broken or some unseen damage may have occurred.

 

[Rod]

Gee, I didn't know it was glued on. I should check the iFixit site just for reference. Not that I would ever attempt it myself

 

[Notebooksquad]

Have you attempted PRAM reset? SMC reset? NVRAM reset?
You can use an external mouse and keyboard in the mean time.
Check system Management. And look at doing AHT tests.
When you change the battery, it may have reset something the wrong way on boot.
But AHT or ASD tests will tell you more.
Plus that cable for the keyboard is easily shorted. And static too to be aware of.

 

[msatterw]

Hello!

After replacing the battery on my MacBook Pro (Model A1502; early-2015), the trackpad and keyboard have stopped working.

• Initially, the trackpad was working perfectly and just the keyboard was the problem, but now, the trackpad stopped working as well.

• After reading that a common problem is the fragility of the ribbon cable between the trackpad and keyboard, I ordered and replaced this cable, but to no avail. 

• I managed to get ONE key to work on the keyboard for a moment (the “;” key) but that didn’t last long. 

• I followed this video tutorial for the battery replacement YouTube
• Update: I managed to get everything back to the initial state it was in; the trackpad working fine again, as well as the “;” key on the keyboard, but no other keys. 


Given the circumstance, I am wondering if this could be something as simple as a loose connection somewhere (though I believe I have tightly secured all connections), however, I don’t believe this has anything to do with a physically faulty keyboard or trackpad, given that they both did work momentarily. I’m kindly asking if replacement of keyboard and trackpad can be avoided here.

The Apple Store isn’t much help here in the Metro Detroit area so I’m trying to fix this myself. In fact, they’re just pushing me to upgrade to a newer laptop. Super frustrating response.

Any suggestions? =)

I had a similar problem with an older MBP after battery replacement. It was solved by doing the SMC and PRAM resets. Simple and quick. Good luck.

 

[Notebooksquad]

Have you attempted PRAM reset? SMC reset? NVRAM reset?
You can use an external mouse and keyboard in the mean time.
Check system Management. And look at doing AHT tests.
When you change the battery, it may have reset something the wrong way on boot.
But AHT or ASD tests will tell you more.
Plus that cable for the keyboard is easily shorted. And static too to be aware of.

I meant keyboard FLEX cable.
Maybe it was loose, and is now barely connected to system MB.

 

[jordaniite]

Hello everyone,
Sorry for the late reply.
Turns out, the logic bored was fried from a bad battery. Rossmann Repair Group in New York replaced the logic bored for me for about $400. It was a pretty penny, but totally worth it to avoid the new MacBook Pros. :

 

[Notebooksquad]

Hello everyone,
Sorry for the late reply.
Turns out, the logic bored was fried from a bad battery. Rossmann Repair Group in New York replaced the logic bored for me for about $400. It was a pretty penny, but totally worth it to avoid the new MacBook Pros. :

Weird.
Louis swapped the board from a bad battery problem.
Unusual for him to do so, as this isn't a hard fix.
And he has done many before.

Usually only a couple hundred bucks to fix.
And rather easy.

 

[chscag]

Turns out, the logic bored was fried from a bad battery. Rossmann Repair Group in New York replaced the logic bored for me for about $400.

Thanks for posting back. Very unusual that the battery fried the logic board. And, by the way, the $400 you paid out was not out of line considering the work that was done.

 

[Notebooksquad]

Thanks for posting back. Very unusual that the battery fried the logic board. And, by the way, the $400 you paid out was not out of line considering the work that was done.

I agree!
$400 isn't bad.
But a bad battery doesn't fry a board like this.

It has protective devices in it.
I have fixed many.
Let alone trained all the youtubers in this stuff.
But can't mention names others have.

But heck!
It's fixed.
Just way too much for that repair!

 

[Rod]

I find that a bit odd, I wouldn’t have thought a bad battery could get so hot. Was the fan working? Wouldn’t one notice if it got that hot?

 

[Notebooksquad]

I find that a bit odd, I wouldn’t have thought a bad battery could get so hot. Was the fan working? Wouldn’t one notice if it got that hot?

Yes.
In fact any Li-Ion battery charge system must have a thermal cutoff. It is present in all Lithium Ion battery charge circuits, and some devices have it built in the battery itself, you must wire up. Even tiny chinese 5v battery and chargers have them. That little 2 wire cutoff switch you find between the batteries when you take the battery pack apart.

 

[clementjackijack]

hello i have the same problem
i changed my battery on my old macbook air 2011 and now the keyboard only work's if the macbook is plugged into the wall. when it runs on the battery it's like the computer does't reconized the battery and place itself on economy mode and only some keyboard key work. can anyone help ?