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1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 2.8GHz) with 3MB shared L3 cache

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What to look for after liquid damage?

Hi all.

A few weeks back, I spilled about a cup of water (green tea, precisely) over the keyboard and topcase of a MacBook Air Mid-2012 (1.8GHz). I immediately inverted it to drip dry it as much as possible. I left it face down on a towel for a day before trying to use it again. Suffice to say that, although my methods perhaps weren't "textbook" (I've read a lot about solutions to this problem since then), they were mostly comprehensive and the best I could think of at the time since I've never had this happen before.

Later, upon using it, I found that the keyboard was not functioning properly. I took it promptly to the Apple Store to have them investigate it. They told me it was mostly clean on the inside, but that the keyboard/topcase would need to be replaced. They did so and charged me. They informed me that during the repair they found no liquid damage anywhere else, and that I was lucky.

I took the computer home and when I attempted to use it, I found that the keyboard was still not working properly. I could connect a wireless keyboard without problem – in order to log in – but when I used the built-in keyboard I found that the output characters were completely unrelated to the keys being engaged.

I took it back to the Apple Store where I was told that my repair would be covered and that in addition to a 2nd keyboard/topcase, they would also consider replacing the logic board (free of charge, since their first repair was unsuccessful).

They performed the 2nd keyboard/topcase replacement, but the MBA continued to exhibit the same problems. The solution, I was told, was a ~$900 repair, but they would refund the first repair (which they did, without issue).

Since the full repair seems highly costly for a 5-year-old computer of similar value, I am currently using it with the external wireless keyboard without issue.

Perhaps all this background is excessive, but it seems – from all I've read – that the damage liquid causes is rarely straightforward.

My current situation, then, is as follows:

-- built-in keyboard is all but unusable; it's as if the shift key (I'm not sure which side) is being held down permanently. This causes the computer to boot into Safe Boot unless I hold down Option during boot

-- wireless bluetooth keyboard connection works without issues

-- trackpad works without issue

-- entire rest of computer works without issue; no loud fan noises, no overheating, no (noticeable) lag in performance

I'm considering upgrading at some point soon, but this computer seems to be completely functional (except for the keyboard) and still quick despite its age (it's already had a battery replacement last year).

So to attempt to salvage it, my questions are:

--Is future failure guaranteed?

--Is there a feasible repair I could do myself that would cost less than ~$900 in parts, etc.?

--If I were to open it to inspect for damage, where should I be looking? everywhere?

I would greatly appreciate the iFixit community's suggestions and/or references.

Thank you!

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What to look for after liquid damage?

A new computer.

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Thomas will be eternally grateful.
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