MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019) A2151 with Kernel Panic and Fan Surge Loop

I think the hardware has majorly failed because the issue has gotten progressively worse and the laptop is getting very hot. Leroy's suggestion about Apple diagnostics is an excellent one, but I am doubting if you will get that far as you indicated it runs fans high and shuts down (or restarts) almost immediately when booting (within 1 second). I don't know exactly what the computer is booting from when you boot holding D (for diagnostics), perhaps you can bypass whatever it is that you are encountering now.

When I say majorly failed I am thinking something like the logic board, replacement for which could cost a good fraction of what a new Mac might cost, assuming parts can be obtained. If something like this happened to me (we are using two 2019 MacBook Pros 16-inch Intel machines here) I would look to replacing the computer, although I have AppleCare+ on them so that might result in other options. Given that the Mac has overheated in a short amount of time, that can cause additional damage, and it is indicative of high currents running where they should not.

I don't think this is a user serviceable problem, unless the user has access to detailed circuit diagrams and specifications, and to specialized tools. I hope you haven't opened up the laptop like is shown in the video you posted; there are many ways to damage a Mac laptop once it has been opened up like that and probes attached or instrumented. I'm not sure what the power readings mean that you obtained; you mentioned you can measure a charging current, but if you watch a properly working carefully when it boots, the battery does not start charging visibly in the top screen menu bar indicator until a minute or so after it has booted up.

ChromiumOverload wrote:

Hello Everyone,

This one has got me stumped. I've included as much information as I could think of below. Any help is appreciated!

Hardware Infomation:

Model: A2151

Common Name: MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)

T2 Security Chip: Yes

CPU Type: Intel Core

Issue Description:

The Mac refuses to boot. When attempting to boot, fans will surge for 1 second at full speed with no display output before stopping. This process then repeats until the computer dies.

Events Prior to the Issue:

Before the issue occurred, the computer would start up and reach the login screen, but shut down immediately after attempting to log in. At one point, it fully booted, displaying a kernel panic warning and indicating that it had started in safe mode with all non-Apple kernel extensions disabled. After another restart, this new issue started and has persisted and has continued since.

During the fan loop, if the computer is charging, it will reach a charging speed of about 60W, then the fans will surge. When the fans surge, the charging speed drops dramatically to around 0.4W before slowly increasing again. Throughout this process, the bottom of the computer becomes extremely hot. Lastly, if the system fully drains its battery, it is able to display the no battery screen.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

re: model identifier: MacBookPro16,1 or MacBookPro16,4

This sounds like a hardware issue...

Can you run the user Diagnostic...not as definitive as Apple's own AST2 (Apple Service Toolkit) back bench diagnostic, but may kick out an error code.

Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac

Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support

In or out of warranty you can get a free over the counter 'Apple Service Diagnostics' test /assessment

Make an appointment for a "hardware issue"

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Outside the USA

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

Kernel Panics are predominately caused by hardware faults or faulty third-party kernel extensions.

Learn what to do if your computer restarts or shuts down unexpectedly, or you get a message that your computer restarted or shut down because of a problem.

If your Mac restarted because of a problem - Apple Support

I agree with the others. I also do not recommend spending any money on repairs for multiple reasons with the biggest reason is that the Logic Boards for the MBPro 16" (2019) has the highest rate of failure of any recent models. There have even been a number of posts on this forum where users have mentioned even the replacement Logic Boards also had issues (sometimes even the replacement replacement Logic Boards as well).

The money spent on repairs is much better put towards a new laptop.