Flooded MBP repair advise

[Don.Key]

Hi,

I have recently picked up a broken 2.16ghz 17" MBP on a local auction. I have disassembled the puppy and found out that it was most likely flooded with some acidic liquid (Not coke since it is not sticky). I was able to do a number of tests here because I own another 17", which is a 2.33 ghz and some parts are compatible. It is a wonder, but the machine actually works, except:

1) Keyboard is not working because acid ate its contacts. Keyboard from another MBP works fine.

2) Monitor backlight is not working. Unfortunately I cannot check if this is a monitor or logic board because inverter connectors are different on moth MBPs and I do not want to take apart display assembly on working MBP, it is such a PITA.

3) Machine only runs off battery. That is, power supply can be connected and lights up green but this green flickers slightly and machine would not turn on. If I insert 70% battery, machine boots. But still consumes battery power. Ironically box seems to recognize that AC power is plugged in (icon changes) but still consumes battery power. It also dies if I remove battery.

So, my questions are:

How can I test the MBP logic board inverter connector if it supplies valid voltage? I would like to pinpoint which component is broken, the logic board or inverter?

How could I potentially troubleshoot the problem with MBP not running off AC power? Are my symptoms most probably caused by fault on logic board or the left I/O block?

Thanks!!

 

[deadpixels]

to test the logic board output to the inverter board, just unplug the connector and use a multimeter on DC volt to see if there's any juice.
the problem with the battery must be that the spill is a conductor, there maybe some rest or residue making small 'short circuits' that drain the battery faster, the problem with the adapter not charging could be the same thing, maybe a goos cleaning of the underside of power board (or is it directly fed to the logic board) with an electronic cleaning spray might help.

 

[Don.Key]

Thanks, I checked the inverter connector and there is indeed some voltage on it, so I will try to replace the inverter itself in next days.

All my tries to repair the power supply are failing though I removed the logic board and cleaned it on all sides from the water rests, in some areas there was real oxidation going on. But problem with power supply showing green, flickering light persists.

Another question to everyone:

Can I buy keyboard for 15" mbp and install it in 17"?
On the first look they are similar in size to me, but replacement parts for 15 and 17 have distinct part numbers.


Cheers

 

[Counterfit]

That's a good question. If the cost is low enough, you could try it out. That or get a hold of some internal pictures to see if they connect differently.