How to Repair a MacBook Pro 16-inch A2991 with Water Damage: A Complet
How to Repair a MacBook Pro 16-inch A2991 with Water Damage: A Complete Guide to Motherboard Replacement
Water damage can be devastating to electronic devices, especially when it impacts critical components like the motherboard. In this detailed repair guide, we show you how to bring a MacBook Pro 16-inch A2991 back to life after suffering water damage. This guide takes you step-by-step through the process of replacing the damaged motherboard and ensuring your device functions like new.
The Problem: Water Damage to the MacBook Pro
Water damage is one of the most challenging issues to fix, as it often affects multiple parts of the device, sometimes in ways that are not immediately visible. In the case of this MacBook Pro 16-inch A2991, the laptop was exposed to liquid, which caused a hole to burn through the motherboard—making the device unable to power on.
Once we opened the device, the damage was clear: water stains on the motherboard, and the burnt hole under the CPU, which meant a complete motherboard replacement was necessary.
Step-by-Step Repair Process:
Here’s how we went about fixing the MacBook Pro:
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Remove the Back Cover
The back cover is secured with Pentalobe P5 screws. You’ll need a 1.2mm Pentalobe screwdriver (a specialized tool used for MacBook devices). After unscrewing the back cover, use a suction cup to gently lift it. Pull it up carefully, ensuring no cables are left attached. -
Disconnect the Battery and Cables
The next step is disconnecting the battery and other important components. Start by unscrewing the cover plate over the battery connector and removing the cable connections for the touchpad, speakers, screen, and fans. These steps are essential to ensure there’s no power running to the motherboard before you proceed with the replacement. -
Remove the Damaged Motherboard
With all the cables disconnected, you can start removing the motherboard. Unscrew all the screws securing it. Since MacBook boards often have a mix of different screw sizes, it’s crucial to keep track of their locations. A magnetic project pad can be a lifesaver here, helping you organize the screws and avoid mistakes. -
Replace the Touchpad and Fingerprint Sensor
Since the motherboard and fingerprint sensor are paired, we had to remove the fingerprint power button as well. This required removing the left fan and carefully detaching the adhesive-secured cables with a bit of alcohol for safe removal. After replacing the motherboard, we reinstalled the fingerprint power button and the touchpad. -
Install the New Motherboard
Installing the new motherboard involves aligning it properly. Start with the SD card slot and make sure no cables are trapped underneath. Double-check that all cables are correctly attached before securing the motherboard with screws. -
Test the MacBook
Before fully reassembling the MacBook, connect the power cable to test whether the device powers on. Once the screen lights up, and everything is functioning correctly (camera, keyboard, touchpad, etc.), it’s safe to continue with the reassembly. -
Reassemble the MacBook
Carefully reattach all the components: reconnect the battery, touchpad, keyboard, and other cables. Finally, replace the back cover, making sure all the latches are securely in place, and screw everything back into position.
Tools Used in This Repair:
To successfully complete this repair, we used a number of specialized tools. Some of the most important tools included:
- Pentalobe 1.2mm screwdriver – for removing the back cover screws.
- Magnetic project pad – to keep screws organized.
- Alcohol – to safely remove the adhesive securing cables.
- PT-T11 71-in-1 Toolkit – which contains all the essential tools for repairing MacBooks, smartphones, and other devices.
These tools are critical for ensuring that you complete the repair without causing further damage to your device.
Where to Buy MacBook Repair Parts and Tools:
If you're planning to perform a similar repair, we recommend using the same quality tools that we used in this video. You can purchase the PT-T11 71-in-1 Polar Tech Phone Repair Toolkit and other MacBook replacement parts from PolarTech.
- Order a MacBook motherboard: Contact PolarTech at info@polartech.com.au
- Buy the tools used in the video: PT-T11 71-in-1 Toolkit
- More MacBook replacement parts: Visit www.polartech.com.au
Conclusion:
Repairing a MacBook Pro after water damage might seem like a daunting task, but with the right tools and a careful, methodical approach, it’s entirely possible. By replacing the damaged motherboard and fingerprint sensor, we brought the MacBook Pro 16-inch A2991 back to life. Now it’s fully functional again, and its owner can continue using it without any issues.
If you’re planning to attempt a similar repair, remember to work carefully, organize your screws, and ensure all connections are properly reattached. With the right tools, even complex repairs can be done successfully.
