TRACKPAD REPLACEMENT - MacBook Pro Retina 15" (early 2013)

[IggyJD]

Hey everyone,

I'm having trouble with my trackpad. After a few minutes of using it, it just goes crazy and starts moving the cursor and clicking everywhere by itself.

I HAVE TO REPLACE IT! Does anyone have any idea where I can find a video or general instructions on how to get to the trackpad and replace it?

Cheers!

 

[cherry_bomb]

Hey there! I don't know how to fix it, but did you buy the Apple Care Warranty? My track pad started having issues because my battery was running SUPER hot. They replaced my track pad, my SCREEN and my battery, all under the warranty. I seriously received it back in the mail from them less than 36 hours after I had sent it out.

 

[chscag]

You can find instructions on how to replace it at iFixit: The Free Repair Manual. However, before even attempting to replace it, make sure you check your battery to see if it has swelled. A swollen battery will cause the symptoms you described and since your battery is non user replaceable, it would have to be replaced by Apple if it has swelled. Of course if the trouble with your trackpad is because you spilled something on it or the machine, that's going to be on you.

 

[IggyJD]

hey! unfortunately I haven't got warranty anymore. the mac is from 2013. I went to a store and I think they gave me a quote of like €600 to fix/replace it... a bit on the expensive side for me hahaha. if you see anything about this problem thought let me know please! I've been looking around and it's hard to find the info haha

 

[IggyJD]

hey! thanks for you're reply!

I checked iFixit and they don't have a specific guide for changing the trackpad for the macbook pro retina 15" early 2013 (or any other)... and I'm not sure if the others are compatible guides (like the 13").

About the battery, how do I know if it's swollen? is it super obvious that it's really bloated or do I have to look for something specific. and are you sure I can't replace it myself?

Cheers! and thanks again!

 

[IggyJD]

Hey there! I don't know how to fix it, but did you buy the Apple Care Warranty? My track pad started having issues because my battery was running SUPER hot. They replaced my track pad, my SCREEN and my battery, all under the warranty. I seriously received it back in the mail from them less than 36 hours after I had sent it out.

hey! unfortunately I haven't got warranty anymore. the mac is from 2013. I went to a store and I think they gave me a quote of like €600 to fix/replace it... a bit on the expensive side for me hahaha. if you see anything about this problem thought let me know please! I've been looking around and it's hard to find the info haha

 

[IggyJD]

You can find instructions on how to replace it at iFixit: The Free Repair Manual. However, before even attempting to replace it, make sure you check your battery to see if it has swelled. A swollen battery will cause the symptoms you described and since your battery is non user replaceable, it would have to be replaced by Apple if it has swelled. Of course if the trouble with your trackpad is because you spilled something on it or the machine, that's going to be on you.

Just checked saw a document on battery replacement... you're 100% right. No way to change the battery by myself unless I want to replace a lot of other things at the same Time... expensive and dangerous ordeal. Hopefully it's not the battery.

 

[techiesteve]

The trackpad on the MacBook Pro Retina 15" is an integrated part of the top case with battery. Apple have a 2 tier pricing for this part. The lower price is only if the battery has failed, it has to fail their diagnostics or be obviously swelling. The higher price is for any other issue such as physical or liquid damage, or trackpad and keyboard issues. The only parts for the top case with battery available separately are the key tops and their scissor mechanism's.

Only the first MacBook Pro Retina 13" had a replaceable trackpad. On that model the trackpad sat on top of a recess in the top case and it's flex cable passed through a slot then under one cell of the battery. That cell could be loosened, not removed, by removing its fixing screws to allow the flex cable access to the logic board. The 15" never had that facility. With this construction it is very unlikely a swollen battery could push against the trackpad, as the metal case separates it. The Retina MBP's are not built like earlier non Retina models.

Modern Macs aren't really suitable for repairing at home, AppleCare then becomes a worth while investment. Unfortunate if you live in Florida, as their state laws forbid the sale of AppleCare to consumers.