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MacBook Pro shutdown at the slightest temperature increase

I have a mid 2012 15” MacBook Pro with Retina display.

My computer only works in cold temperatures. For example, after shutting down, I tried turning it back on, but it wouldn’t work, until I took it outside to cool down in sub-0 temperatures. It would turn on again until it starts heating up slowly.

When the laptop is turned on, the temperature usually starts at 29 degrees Celsius. At about 30 - 31, the laptop shuts down. I tested this and found that if I wasn’t opening a lot of programs, it would last a good period of time, compared to if I opened several programs.

Other issues include the battery, which needs replacement (over 1200 cycles). The laptop doesn’t turn on without being plugged in, but I figured that’s not the issue if it’s charging.

A preliminary troubleshoot was done at Apple - the fans and everything else is working fine, except the logic board. Couldn’t finish testing the logic board because the laptop shut down. Apple suspects it’s an issue with the logic board and told me I’d need to replace it along with the battery in the hopes it gets fixed. About $1000 cost. He recommends I buy a new laptop.

Hoping there’s a fix for this. Please let me know your thoughts!

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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How about narrowing down the root issue by installing a good temp monitoring app like TG Pro it should tell you what is going wrong.

Paste a snapshot of the main window here so we can see all of the sensors (you may need to enlarge the window a bit) Adding images to an existing question

Its possible Apple mis diagnosed your problem and we might be able to aim you to the needed action or repair.

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Has thermal paste been taken in consideration at all ? After 6/7 years service especially on a powerful 15" Pro the old thermal paste would be well dried and useless for some time now. Don’t bother too much about Apple’s “advice”, they’re under pressure from financial markets and lower than expected sales, they’d advice you to buy a new machine already 15 minute after warranty expiry.

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No, it’s not a problem with the whole logic board itself, it is probably just a problem with the temp reader inside the device being dumb and reading a wrong temp and shutting down to prevent ‘damage', while there is no overheating happening.

Here is a link to a battery replacement: MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012 Battery Replacement

Here is a guide to the logic board replacement:MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012 Logic Board Replacement

Not the easiest to do, but way cheeper than the estimate given by Apple.

MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012 Logic Board Image

Guide

MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012 Logic Board Replacement

Difficulty:

Difficult

—

1 - 4 hours
MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012 Battery Image

Guide

MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012 Battery Replacement

Difficulty:

Difficult

—

1 - 2 hours

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I figured that would be the issue. Is there a way to confirm this and how can I get it fixed? Does it need someone who specializes in repairing logic boards or can any computer repair store do the job?

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Well, you would need to have a professional who can micro-solder and can look at the chip itself to find out if it is actually the chip itself.

I also updated the answer to include guides on how to replace the battery and logic board.

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Mohamed El Koussy will be eternally grateful.
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