Macbook Pro Left Shift Key Problem

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Macbook Pro Left Shift Key Problem

by ac1818 Jan 10, 2012 6:32PM PST

Hi

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Will Consider That

by ac1818 Jan 12, 2012 8:05AM PST

Just one quick question. Would resetting the PRAM or System Management Controller help?

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Unlikely

by Jimmy Greystone Jan 12, 2012 1:39PM PST

Unlikely, but they take all of what, maybe 30 seconds combined, so why not? You may get lucky. Go for it, and just follow the mantra of hope for the best but expect the worst. If that doesn't work, the only other test would be to use a known good OS (boot your OS install DVD, then start the terminal program from the Utilities menu after selecting a language. Then just try typing something at the prompt and using that shift key. If it works perfectly, you've got some kind of software issue, but I'd say that's an extremely remote possibility. In the far more likely scenario where it works exactly the same as any other time, then the only other test should really be done by a repair tech to you may damage the top case cable if you don't know what you're doing, and have to pay extra to get it fixed.

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Ok . Thanks for your response

by ac1818 Jan 12, 2012 4:06PM PST

I tried booting from the OS Disk and the Shift Key worked in Terminal. However I cannot be sure that the OS is at fault since the shift key has been working within OSX Lion for about 80% of the time?

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One more question Jimmy

by ac1818 Mar 31, 2012 11:53AM PDT

Do you think that the behavior of the left shift key not working 70% of the time could be due to a bad or loose keyboard ribbon cable connector (that connects the circuit board to the keyboard) ?

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It's possible

by Jimmy Greystone Mar 31, 2012 1:27PM PDT

It's possible, but extremely unlikely that only one key would be affected. If there were several other keys which were erratic or flat out non-functional, then I could buy that a lot more readily. It also really wouldn't matter, because if that cable were bad, it'd still mean a top case replacement.

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Just want to verify one thing please

by ac1818 Apr 27, 2012 11:46PM PDT

Thanks for your help Jimmy. Is there any specific component that I need to replace from a new top case or does the whole top case just need to be replaced?

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It's all one piece

by Jimmy Greystone Apr 28, 2012 4:51AM PDT

It's all one piece, so in that sense it's easy enough, but if you try this particular repair on your own, the "catch" is that the MBP is basically built upside down. The top case is the primary component that everything else is built around. So you basically have to completely disassemble the thing and then rebuild it inside the new case. It's a PITA, and if you don't have some means of aligning the display assy hinges, it can be made that much more difficult.

So this is a good repair to take to an AASP. I say AASP, because Apple likes to kick its repair network "partners" in the teeth on a regular basis. Saying how they aren't allowed to do this or that, which seems designed to frustrate customers who will then take it to an Apple store where they'll be told something along the lines of, "I don't know what their problem is, but we'll take care of it for you!" And of course AASPs are gagged from saying anything under threat of losing the ASP contract. So at the same time Apple is kicking them in the teeth they're eating their lunch, which is why I'd recommend throwing a little business their way whenever possible.

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Found a top case replacement

by ac1818 May 2, 2012 4:06PM PDT

Hi

I now have a top case replacement. Thanks so much for your advice, just hope it is not a lose connection between they keyboard and logic board?

I am willing to try it myself, might use the help of a friend (who has done a top case replacement before) . Any specific difficult steps I should take care with? I am just concerned about accidentally breaking those small connectors that you have to pry

Thanks

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Performed a top case replacement.

by ac1818 May 4, 2012 11:24PM PDT

Thanks so much, the shift key is working now, after a top case replacement.

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Answer

Re: key

by Kees_B Forum moderator Jan 10, 2012 6:36PM PST

Seems like hardware. Your Apple repair center will have to see if they can replace the key only, or need to replace the whole keyboard.

Kees

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Thanks for your Response

by ac1818 Jan 10, 2012 6:49PM PST

Is there any steps I could try just in case it is something else? As I said the 'left shift key works about 60% of the time?

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Answer

apple macbook key

by iamnotsheng Apr 6, 2012 5:07PM PDT

Our it department deals a lot with the left shift key on the macbook pros, seems to be a slight defect, the hinges under the key does seem to break more than usual, nothing wrong with the laptop really, but the physical part of the plastic hinge under the key that is usually the issue, take a look, if its broken, you can buy a new macbook key from http://www.replacementlaptopkeys.com/macbook-key.html

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THIS IS SPAM.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Apr 7, 2012 12:53AM PDT

All their posts were removed as spam since they dug up many old posts. This one is current but while fixing a keyboard may be possible in some cases no shop I know will stand behind such a repair today.

Remember this member SPAMMED. So read this post in that light.
Bob

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That makes no sense

by Jimmy Greystone Apr 7, 2012 1:09AM PDT

That makes no sense, and I say that as someone who has replaced more than my fair share of keycaps on MBPs.

The plastic part of the key is just for show, what actually makes up the key is a little pressure plate/sensor that sits under a rubber plunger which is what causes the key to pop back up when you press it. Then there's a little scissor mechanism that helps distribute the force of your pressing on the key a bit more evenly. On the shift key there is a metal bar that is purely for holding the keycap in place. I know this, because I have had several MBPs in where the rubber plunger had been broken off, but I could still get the key to function by tapping my finger on the pressure plate. I also know that according to Apple's KB article regarding replacing keycaps, if that rubber plunger is missing, they say that a new top case is required. Presumably if you still had the plunger you could glue it back down, but odds are you'd end up making the situation even worse.

The above post would only apply in situations where there was some sort of mechanical issue with the key such as sticking, not where it was unresponsive to key presses. Add to that Bob's mention of the poster spamming, and the best case scenario I can come up with is one of general gross incompetence.

I would myself suggest that the above post, and the associated replies, be removed. The information is WAY off base, and then there's the spamming aspect of it as well.

Back to MacBooks forum

Jimmy Greystone · Accepted Answer · Jan 10, 2012 10:21PM PST

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It's likely hardware

by Jimmy Greystone Jan 10, 2012 10:21PM PST

It's likely hardware and it will involve a top case replacement unless you want to amend your story to include the keycap being loose.

Otherwise, there's no way to repair just a single key, only replace a keycap, and the keyboard is an integral part of the top case, so you have to replace one to replace the other.

The good news is, is that as repairs go, this one is probably in the moderate range. Probably around $250US out the door. Keep in mind that's just a ballpark figure, different repair shops will set different labor rates, and may charge you two hours labor on that because it is a lot of work to replace a top case on a unibody MBP. The unibody Macs are essentially built upside down, so the top case is the base component everything else is built around, and to replace a top case means to basically rebuild the entire laptop inside the new case.

Now, if it's just a loose keycap, some places might just charge you a basic diagnostic fee, since it's really a pretty simple matter to do. You just may want to have someone else do it, because there's some delicate bits of plastic under the keycap, and if you go digging around under there yourself, you may damage the rubber plunger and then you will need a new top case, AND it will be considered abused, so will cost you probably 50-75% more for the part. If some repair shop damages it, then they are on the hook to replace the top case on their dime.

Macbook Pro Left Shift Key Problem

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