Logic Board Corrosion

Question

Level 1

4 points

Logic Board Corrosion

Last Friday, July 29, 2022, I noticed early in the morning that my right speakers on my Macbook Pro M1 was not producing any sound. I tried troubleshooting by myself, checking to make sure if it was really damaged or it was just because of an update or a settings issue. After a few hours of trying to restart and check online remedies, I ask my local Apple Service Center if I could get it checked.

A few days ago, August 1, I went to the service center and dropped off my unit. Yesterday, August 3, just a few hours ago, they texted me about my unit saying that I should have the Logic Board and touch ID replaced. Since the laptop that I bought 2nd hand from a friend still had its warranty until I believe around October or November, I asked why the repair was not covered or eligible. They replied through iMessage that it wasn't eligible because of corrosion and they sent me a picture.

They did not specify which part was corroded (picture below) but I believe it's the one with gray fluff? Not sure. I am not in any way an expert of this tech stuff so I asked what could be the possible reasons. They told me that it was due to water damage?

I saw similar posts asking about their logic board and water damage and in some pictures the water damage was pretty evident. I just wanted to know and confirm which part of this is logic board is corroded and if water damage could really be the cause since I really wasn't able (as far as I know) spill any liquid on my unit. And if it wasn't liquid, what other causes could have corroded by logic board. To me, the gray fluff just looks like dust so I don't really know :(

I messaged the service center about this as well but they left me on read maybe because it was near closing hours. I still haven't gotten back my unit since this just happened today and I was just sad about my broken speakers and just wanted to release my thoughts. That's all :(

Edited: PS I live in the Philippines and it's currently 1:57 am where I live.

Posted on Aug 3, 2022 10:56 AM

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Answer 1

HWTech

Level 9

68,498 points

Aug 4, 2022 10:15 PM in response to jelixter22

I really cannot tell from the picture. There is a bit of blue/green where that bit of dust is that you mentioned. Usually blue/green stuff is corrosion, but I cannot be sure from the picture because there appears to be a clump of dust there as well. There are a few other areas in the photo which may be small bits of dust or it may be some light bits of residue/corrosion. Again I cannot tell from the photo although I'm a bit skeptical as well (I've seen lots of liquid damaged equipment sometimes with very subtle signs & very small bits of corrosion that most people would never detect (sometimes I've even missed it as well on a first look). It is something that in this case would require actually seeing it first hand to be sure one way or the other.

I do know that Apple can get this wrong at times, but Apple has the final say on the matter regardless of what anyone else thinks. If you have another local AASP, you could always get a second opinion on the repair or attempt to mail the laptop to Apple for the repair if a mail-in repair is an option in your region. Hard to say if the outcome would be any different. Be careful with a mail-in repair as we were going to be charged shipping & labor costs if we declined the re-quote on an out of warranty repair.

Sorry I could not say for certain one way or the other.

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Answer 2

Aug 3, 2022 11:50 AM in response to jelixter22

Do be aware that damaging water CAN form inside the case from condensation.

If the computer is kept in a cool, air-conditioned space, and then taken into warm, moist, “tropical” air …

… condensation WILL form on ALL cold surfaces, even those inside the laptop.

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Answer 3

HWTech

Level 9

68,498 points

Aug 5, 2022 7:14 PM in response to jelixter22

If the repair shop is performing the repair themselves, then you can ask the manager to double check the Logic Board to get another opinion to confirm.

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Answer 4

Aug 3, 2022 11:34 AM in response to jelixter22

We aren't Apple. We are users like you on a user to user only forum. I'm not sure anyone here can look at the photo you posted with any degree of certainty. You'll have to continue working with the service center on this as we have no way to help you directly.

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Answer 5

jelixter22 Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 3, 2022 11:37 AM in response to lobsterghost1

Thank you for the reply! Was just curious if anyone could compare this or someone who knows more than me about tech can tell and explain what they seen on the picture to me. But thank you for the feedback! Will also try to contact apple directly.

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Answer 6

jelixter22 Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 3, 2022 11:51 AM in response to Chattanoogan

Thanks for this! I wasn't able to bring my laptop to an airconditioned space the past month and is just stationary at my working desk. In our house hold, we use fans to save on electricity and inflation in our country recently has also been so crazy. But maybe it could be because of the humidity? or the rainy season that we're currently experiencing. But do you think the corroded area is the one with the gray puffs? Thank you!

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Answer 7

jelixter22 Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 4, 2022 10:26 PM in response to HWTech

Thanks for this! I was wondering if corrosion could be because of something else? Because I'm most certain I've never spilled anything on my unit. Or could just tiniest particles of water already be a cause?

Also, here in our province there's most likely just 1 service center available and I can barely travel for another few hours just to get it checked at some other service center at another province and wait for another week or so to get it diagnosed again for most likely the same reason :( Not sure if it's worth the hassle.

As of today, August 5, I still haven't gotten a text back and still haven't claimed back my unit. Hopefully I can get it back in the next few days. But thank you so much for this response!

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Answer 8

Aug 3, 2022 11:44 AM in response to jelixter22

You're welcome and good luck,

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