Macbook Pro A1398 Trackpad issues

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Ellaling Author

Level 1

4 points

Macbook Pro A1398 Trackpad issues

Hey All :)

So my late 2013 Macbook Pro has had some battery and trackpad issues for a while, and I'm looking at replacing them.

The battery doesn't hold its charge a service is being recommended when I click on the little battery icon.

In addition to this, the trackpad seems to be fully depressed. It still works, only clicking and dragging is difficult.

I'm aware the latter can be the result of a swollen battery.

What I'm wondering is if there is anyway to determine whether this is the case before I dissassemble the laptop for repair?

I'm getting a replacement battery shipped, and wondering if I should get a replacement trackpad also.

Any advice or anecdotes (especially from people who have done lots of repairs) would be greatly appreciated.

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 11.2

Posted on Jun 6, 2021 7:20 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 7, 2021 9:50 AM in response to Ellaling

Most times you should be able to see signs of a swollen battery once the Bottom Case has been removed although some batteries may lose their swollen state, but if you look closely you can notice a slight difference in the different battery cells.

If the battery is not swollen, then most likely liquid residue or dirt/crumbs have become trapped around or beneath the Trackpad. Removing the Trackpad and cleaning the edges of the Trackpad as well as the opening in the Top Case should solve the Trackpad issue. The tricky part is aligning the Trackpad within the opening of the Top Case so it doesn't bind.

Removing the battery and even removing the plate covering the Trackpad is not easy to do. You need to be extremely careful not to accidentally puncture the battery cells as that can result in a fire.

Keep in mind that the quality of third party Lithium-ion batteries is extremely poor even when purchased from reputable vendors such as OWC, and iFixIt.

Good luck.

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Macbook Pro A1398 Trackpad issues

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