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Released June 2012 / Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost / Up to 1 GB GDDR5 Video RAM

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Replacing keyboard, but FPC is different on replacements backlight.

Hi,

I'm attempting to replace my mid2012 15" Macbook Pro's keyboard and backlight that after unfortunately drinking a cup of tea lost functionality of about 5 keys.

I'm in the UK, and originally purchased it from a UK eBay seller a few years back who I believe had at least replaced the battery, but am unaware if he replaced anything else..

My model is an A1286, EMC2556, Macbook Pro 9,1

I've now purchased a replacement keyboard from eBay:

https://ebay.us/m/bdxNax

Upon disassembly of my MBP I discovered that the FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) on my keyboard backlight is a different shape to that on the replacement I've purchased, please see attached image.

Block Image

Mine is the one on top, and the replacment the bottom one.

The ribbon cable that connects both to the Logic Board are identical and in the same position.

My question is, can I just install the replacement without any worry?

Kind regards in advance for any help provided.

Calhoon.

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crwdns2933897:0crwdne2933897:0

Hi,

I promised I'd report back in order to help others with the same issue.
In the end I had to send the replacement I purchased from eBay back for a full refund.

I ran everything that was said here past the seller on eBay who was initially fairly insistent that I should continue with the installation but offered a full refund if it didn't work. In short neither FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) from the replacement backlight or the ribbon cable for the keyboard fitted at all.

Upon return of the item I received a full refund.

I followed @danj 's advise and purchased a new keyboard from TheBookYard which cost me about £10 more than the eBay one including shipping, see link below.

https://www.thebookyard.com/product.php?...

It didn't include a backlight so I used the one from my original keyboard as it wasn't broken.

I just added my MacBook Pro's serial number to their site and it showed me a list of parts.

Delivery was really quick, like 2 days. The keyboard slightly differed from my original as in the number 3 key also showed a #, but that's actually quite handy, and the installation went really well.

The keyboards been working fine for the last 3 weeks without issue, so very happy indeed.

Big thanks to @tech_ni and @danj for all the advice given here. Really appreciate that Fella's.

Kind Regards .. Calhoon.

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crwdns2947414:01crwdne2947414:0:

Happy to hear it worked out! Don't forget to score the answers an I marked yours here as accepted now.

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crwdns2933897:0crwdne2933897:0

just a chinese copy maybe just the way it was done in the factory it was made in

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Hi Daniel, thanks for the fast response.

Does this mean it'll be okay to fully replace the original unit with this, without causing issue to the Macbook Pro or any of it's hardware?

crwdns2934271:0crwdnd2934271:0crwdne2934271:0

@calhoon if there is an issue the only thing that wouldnt work is the keyboard backlight

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Daniel,

Once again I want to thank you for your fast responses and advice offered here.

I truly appreciate it and will report back here whether successful or not in the hope that any information may help others.

Kindest regards... Calhoon 🙏

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Apple contracted a few factories, I’ve seen a few variations.

This one is a bit of an odd duck as it started out the same but ended up a mirror in the part of the flex. Note this backlight only has one tap for the backlight LED’s unlike the original. So the light up may be uneven.

I’m suspecting this is knockoff part as Apple no-longer offers parts for this series and I’m sure what was out in the wild that was original has long since been exhausted.

You should be fine! There’s nothing complex here. The only option is getting a recovered part from a parts salvager like TheBookYard if this one doesn’t meet your expectations.

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Hi Dan,

Thanks for your feedback here too.

It had occured to me that it was factory variations that I was dealing with.

I've gone through quite a few keyboard and backlight replacment Youtube videos for my model, some of which have my original backlight FPC config and some which have my differing replacement, but have not seen one where they replace one with the other, which is what led me here.

My knowledge is not great here. By "one tap for the backlight LED's" are you refering to the FPC?

Regards... Calhoon

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@calhoon - Yes, without taking it apart its likely to have fewer LEDs so the light output is less or just uneven. The flex only appears to offer one active trace area Vs the original.

Knockoff's offer the bare minimum as they need to be cheaper than what Apple sold when they were competing for your money. Sometimes they go to far as they don't have the knowledge on the why Apple did it the way they did. Some are better than others as the market for keyboards and batteries as there is always a need.

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Calhoon crwdns2934231:0crwdne2934231:0
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