Coffee in a Mac Book Pro

Mi Problema

While scattering things around on my desk, I managed to dump a full cup of coffee onto my closed (sleeping and plugged-in) MacBook Pro - from the back. Figured no problem until I picked it up and the coffee drizzled out - the thing was completely dead, including the charger.

Mi Solución

Took the back off and blew it out with a compressor - still leaking coffee from the openings in the battery. No lights, no power, no sound. No battery indicator lights, charger indicator light not functioning. Found iFixit online - followed their guides to dismantling the Mac Book, and as a first step ordered the battery and "magic 5 point" screwdriver because I knew that was one part that needed replacement. Replaced the battery, it fired up, charger began to light up sporadically, some keys worked - so, progress. Before going further I tried to run the hardware test - wouldn't do it either from disk or online, perhaps because the keyboard and trackpad were sporadic. Then I reset SMC and PRAM in an effort to get the Hardware test to work. Took two resets for the keyboard/trackpad/sound and lights to become fully functional but now it works like a champ. No need for more work, no further cleaning, no $700 factory repair bill or $2500 replacement..

Mi Consejo

With the right tools and guides it is possible for DIYers to dismantle, repair, upgrade and, in general, mess around with the MacBook Pro. But, the right tools and guides are CRITICAL. The funny 5 point screws, tiny-size Phillips heads and even tinier Torx heads are very soft and easily stripped, (Yup, I wrecked a couple before I broke down and ordered the right tools from iFixit).

However, shipping from iFixit took only two days to Hawaii so the wait was not overwhelming. Yay.

The disassembly/reassembly are not intuitive - proving that Apple engineers do not think like the rest of us. Thankfully, the iFixit guides are easy to follow so advanced engineering was not a problem.

Been a Mac-user since 1982 - It is very rewarding to realize that we now have this alternative to the high-priced Apple battery replacement and repair program.