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Can I replace the keyboard connector on the logic board?

Hello My macbook sustained some liquid damage a while back and just recently took it to my local mac repair guy. We decided that it need a completely new keyboard so i had him replace it. Upon booting it up he found that when i is pressed it types a u also and when a 7 is typed it produces an 8 along side. He opened it back up and saw some corrosion on the connector that is just to small for him to get to. He told me he was going to try and ask a friend if they could replace the keyboard connector on the logic board. I would like to know if this is possible and if there is another solution he may have over looked.

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Did you have any luck repairing/replacing the keyboard connector?

Does anyone know where to find a schematic for what keyboard connector pins do?

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To directly answer your question, it is possible to change the keyboard connector on the logic board. However, I'm not sure it needs changed or why someone that can see corrosion can't get to it. If the corrosion is to small for this person to get to, then the solder work required to replace the keyboard header/socket is most likely to small for them also.

Please reset your SMC & PRAM. Instructions for that are here and here. You may also try deleting the library files associated with your keyboard, if the fore mentioned did not solve the problem. Please let us know if this resolves the problem.

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This is a ZIF interface connector. I've never replaced one on this particular motherboard. I have replaced a number of them on other logic boards. Installing one of these does take good optics and advanced soldering skills. I've never had to replace one because of corrosion. The corrosion can be cleaned off with a brass brush, needle/pin of a strand of brass wire held by a hemostat under the same optics required to solder one in. I don't believe the problems you mention are hardware related. Apple uses USB emulation to incorporate the keyboard and mouse. Your keyboard connector is 2 funny looking USB ports. I believe you would be having more problems than you mention if the ZIF connector were the problem.

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Well if the zif connector isn't the problem what could it be, I have replaced the top case in its entirety.

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Did you reset the PRAM and SMC? Did you delete the library files for the keyboard? You only have 2 keys that are not working properly. Keyboards send codes that refer to what is being pushed. Your problem most likely is the keyboard or how how the i and 7 are being interpreted. If the data bus for the keyboard were malfunctioning it would seem that many keys, if not all, would be corrupt in their output - Not just 2 in close proximity on the keyboard layout. If it is hardware related I would suspect the keyboard, before the ZIF connector.

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i agree with abcellars (and remacberlin) - replacing the zif connector isn't easy and in my opinion not necessary. cleaning would be the first option. there are good electrinics cleaner on the market, i use a short, soft brush for those things. it should be done - even if it's only to rule a possible problem out! (fluid damages can cause way more problems when they are cleaned properly!) if it's clean, i would do the resets mentioned by abcellars. if that won't work either - i would suggest to try the next keyboard ;-) - but as mentioned before - it's an usb connection and it should work...

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To change the socket is IMHO a futile affair, at least without super professional soldering equipment. Besides, where do you want to optain a new socket, this is not a standart item.

I'd try to clean out the socket very carefully, perhaps using a needle and strong magnifiers.

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The keyboard zif socket can be replaced but requires a bga/smt soldering station to perform the work. It is not a simple task even with the proper tools as the zif socket is normally plastic housing and there is always a risk of melting it if temperatures are not moderated around 220-240 degrees Celsius which is the melting point of the solder.

The problem with corroded components especially delicate connections like zif sockets and lvds or data cable connections is if the pads on the board that you are attempting the replacement are also corroded. If they are missing pads, the repair can be next to impossible to perform.

Replacement zif connectors are not impossible to find. Do a bay search or google with the appropriate model and you will likely find something. With Apple, there is a large series which all use the same/identical connector which you can order new from China for about $10.00 including shipping.

Try what the other guys are recommending first by using electronic cleaners and let the board dry first before reconnecting the keyboard and attempting power up.

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