Macbook Pro high fan, slow speed, no touchpad

[carmen617]

2011 Macbook pro, I replaced the hard drive about a year ago. Client called me saying it's running very slowly, so I had her drop it off. I don't do real hardware repairs on Macs, just simple stuff like SSD and RAM upgrades, and general cleanups/tune ups.

This system takes about 5 minutes to boot, the touchpad won't work, although an external mouse will. The fan is going full blast, the keyboard types about one character every 5 seconds. I did all the normal easy things - safe boot, reset PRAM and SMC, disk utility, etc. Swapped out the hard drive, swapped out the RAM, no improvement.

I'm pretty sure whatever is wrong with it is beyond my limited Mac skills to fix. My question, however, is if anybody has another fairly simple thing to try. And if not, if you have experience with this type of Mac issue, is there a way to tell if this is a fairly inexpensive thing to fix (and send her off to a Mac specialty shop) or if it's reasonable to tell her that her 6 year old system is toast.

 

[gadgetfixup]

I would unplug the keyboard / glidepad from the mainboard and try using USB devices. You might be seeing this behavior from one or both of these being defective.

When you say you swapped out the HDD did you do a fresh install on the HDD to test? I've seen a couple times corrupt file errors, especially on MBAs peg the fans at full speed, keep the battery from charging and consume all the CPU. I would drop another drive in there and do a fresh install if you haven't already.

To be clear the built in First Aid didn't find the corrupt plist files causing the issue it was Tech Tools that picked them up. Also Tech Tools will test and report that all your sensors are working on the MBP. Macs have a good assortment of sensors that must return the correct results or the Mac will do all sorts of odd things.

HTH

 

[carmen617]

I would unplug the keyboard / glidepad from the mainboard and try using USB devices. You might be seeing this behavior from one or both of these being defective.

When you say you swapped out the HDD did you do a fresh install on the HDD to test? I've seen a couple times corrupt file errors, especially on MBAs peg the fans at full speed, keep the battery from charging and consume all the CPU. I would drop another drive in there and do a fresh install if you haven't already.

To be clear the built in First Aid didn't find the corrupt plist files causing the issue it was Tech Tools that picked them up. Also Tech Tools will test and report that all your sensors are working on the MBP. Macs have a good assortment of sensors that must return the correct results or the Mac will do all sorts of odd things.

HTH

Yes, I swapped out the drive with a bench drive I have and did a fresh install of OSX, no improvement. I'll try disconnecting the touchpad and keyboard and see if that helps. I'm not familiar with Tech Tools, is that a built in Mac program or something I need to buy?

 

[gadgetfixup]

We only use two paid programs for servicing Macs; DiskWarrior and Tech Tools.

 

[NviGate Systems]

Macs will slow to a crawl if the fans fail or if the battery is removed or no longer works.

Even under AC power the system will pull power from the battery.

 

[carmen617]

Macs will slow to a crawl if the fans fail or if the battery is removed or no longer works.

Even under AC power the system will pull power from the battery.

Ah, thanks, that could be it. I forgot to mention the system will not boot from the battery, but it will run from the battery after booting. Is that a symptom that would lead you to believe replacing the battery would solve the problem?

 

[trevm999]

I would unplug the keyboard / glidepad from the mainboard and try using USB devices. You might be seeing this behavior from one or both of these being defective.

This ^, often accompanied by signs of liquid damage

 

[occsean]

Just had one of these in the shop. There is a palmrest heat sensor that can fire up the fans and slow the machine down. I cleaned the one on the MBP and that solved it. Otherwise may need to be replaced. Running AHT (apple hardware test) will tell you if this sensor is whacked out.

 

[carmen617]

Just had one of these in the shop. There is a palmrest heat sensor that can fire up the fans and slow the machine down. I cleaned the one on the MBP and that solved it. Otherwise may need to be replaced. Running AHT (apple hardware test) will tell you if this sensor is whacked out.

Where do you find the palmrest heat sensor? and what did you clean it with? the inside of this mac is tremendously dusty, actually.

 

[Markverhyden]

Do you hae the service manual for this? What is the serial?

 

[carmen617]

No, I don't have the service manual. As I said in my original post, the extent of what I typically do with MacBooks is upgrade RAM and install SSDs. The serial number shows it to be an early 2011 13" MacBook Pro model # A1278 (EMC 2419*), according to EveryMac. As of right now, I've spent a lot of time on this system without fixing the problem and I really don't have the tools, resources, or expertise to isolate the problem and fix things like sensor issues or bad batteries. I'm pretty much looking for an easy fix (clean the sensor? ok, I'll give that a shot) or an answer for my client's obvious next questios, is it worth it to take to Mac specialty shop to fix, or just replace the system.

 

[NviGate Systems]

I would imagine a Mac shop like Rossman Repair Group would charge $350 US plus parts. So it could be as high as $500US. If it's worth that you could open a wholesale account with Rossman Repair Group. You will get a discount. Or tell them to buy a new one.

One too, if they want to fix it and you go the wholesale route with Rossman, collect payment in advance, seen too many times customer changes mind. When they pay first it's harder to cancel and they know it.

 

[Krynn72]

I think that sensor is actually on the touchpad. I'd recommend taking the battery out and letting the computer turn on from ac power while laying on is back (LCD on the table face up). If you unplug the track pad cable, the sensor will obviously still fail (since now it's not even connected) and cause the same symptoms. So leave it plugged in and try relieving any pressure on the pad or the cable itself and see if there's any change. If not then it may be a logic board sensor issue, which is going to need a specialist.

 

[carmen617]

I think that sensor is actually on the touchpad. I'd recommend taking the battery out and letting the computer turn on from ac power while laying on is back (LCD on the table face up). If you unplug the track pad cable, the sensor will obviously still fail (since now it's not even connected) and cause the same symptoms. So leave it plugged in and try relieving any pressure on the pad or the cable itself and see if there's any change. If not then it may be a logic board sensor issue, which is going to need a specialist.

Thanks - unplugging the battery and restarting from AC adapter and problem remains. That seems like it's not a simple battery replacement that will fix the issue. Heading out to clients now, but thanks for all your suggestions. I think it's time to tell the client it's at least a $350.00 repair from Mac shop, or a new system.

 

[occsean]

When I get home I';ll take apart my early 2011 MBP and take pictures of the sensor. DId you run AHT?

 

[carmen617]

When I get home I';ll take apart my early 2011 MBP and take pictures of the sensor. DId you run AHT?

Yes, error 4SNS/1/C0000008: TP0P--124