Skip to main content

The March 2015 update of Apple's 13" MacBook Pro Retina Display, model A1502, features fifth-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors and introduces the Force Touch trackpad.

1183 Questions View all

Water Damage - Display and Boot Issues

Block Image

Block Image

Block Image

Block Image

I recently got a Macbook Pro from my friend who spilled a cup of water onto the left side of the keyboard and he turned it off immediately and left it dry upside down for 4 days. It still didn't work so he let me see if there is anything I can do. First thing I noticed is that it turns on, and I know it's on even though screen is black is because the force touch on the trackpad turns on and I can click. The bottom of the computer does get warm but fan doesnt turn on at all. I know this still has a little life in it but I cant seem to get it to boot with the USB installer I made. Keep in mind he took out the SSD so I don't have an ssd to work with, only the USB Drive. I also opened the computer up and everything looks fine and no compression at all. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Answer this question I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Score 0
Add a comment

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

It sounds like you have some damaged components on the logic board.

While your friend did a gallant effort to prevent the water from damaging things. The fact the battery was still connected may have been the systems down fall. You see tap & spring water has minerals in it which are healthy for you and me, but can cause corrosion as well as allow current to flow across areas which shouldn't have the high voltages (shorting things out).

How about posting some good detailed images of the logic board (both sides) as well as any damaged areas you see. Adding images to an existing answer

While it might be possible to repair the logic board it may end up be easier to replace it if the rest of the system is in good shape.

Update (04/13/2018)

Sadly You'll need to get a new ribbon cable for the trackpad and a new logic board.

Here's the IFIXIT parts:

Here's the needed cable:

MacBook Pro 13" Retina (Early 2015) 2.7 GHz Logic Board Image

Product

MacBook Pro 13" Retina (Early 2015) 2.7 GHz Logic Board

$99.99

MacBook Pro 13" Retina (Early 2015) 2.9 GHz Logic Board Image

Product

MacBook Pro 13" Retina (Early 2015) 2.9 GHz Logic Board

$349.99

MacBook Pro 13" Retina (Early 2015) 3.1 GHz Logic Board Image

Product

MacBook Pro 13" Retina (Early 2015) 3.1 GHz Logic Board

$199.99

Was this answer helpful?

Score 2

32 Comments:

Photos added!

by

Hows the other side look?

by

Sorry my bad! Uploaded!

by

@daviddpan - Lets get a another pic for the trackpad connector (middle top) it looks like you have corrosion on some of the pins.

In addition, I think you'll need to pull the heat sink as I see some staining on the chip so it needs cleaning and then fresh thermal paste.

by

The trackpad works fine though. Actually it's the only thing I can verify that works. The CPU does get hot after a while though. I'll send post a pic of the Trackpad connector very soon so just look out for the picture! Any idea why the display doesnt work? Display connector looks fine and no water was in contact with the display.

by

Show 27 more comments

Add a comment

The motherboard is on the inside left part of the Macbook Pro, so the water probably leaked into the keyboard and ruined the motherboard.

Was this answer helpful?

Score 1
Add a comment

The fans don't spin on this MacBook Pro. With everything but the trackpad connector plugged in, do you get a chime on the internal speakers or does it boot to a question mark folder? If so, then you're likely ok and need to replace the trackpad cable.

Was this answer helpful?

Score 0

8 Comments:

Well yesterday I connected to the tv and i know what I did but it made the boot chime and displayed flashing folder (I don't have ssd installed). Nothing on computer screen though. Cant replicate this again so I don't know how I did it.

by

That means likely you have an issue with the screen. Shine a light through the apple logo on the Retina display and see if you get a picture. If possible, try another screen as well to rule out bad screen.

by

Nope... From what I read, there is like a boot sequence on startup where it checks it's hardware. If something is bad, it won't boot up and make the chime. The trackpad works so...

by

It will boot and chime even if the screen is bad...lol

by

Yea...I got it to work few days ago but not anymore. Don't know how in the world I did it. Also, the fan turns on at boot right? Because my fan is prob broken cause it never spins.

by

Show 3 more comments

Add a comment

Add your answer

adsf will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 0

Past 30 Days: 0

All Time: 655