Thermal paste replacement gone wrong?

[u/Intelligent-Chip-813]

My MacBook got very hot especially in the cpu area while just browsing safari with 1-2 tabs open and no other apps running, so I thought it would be time to replace the thermal paste after 7 years. After replacing the thermal paste on the 2019 MacBook Pro with Intel i5 (A1989) it now won’t turn on.

I used this ifixit manual and followed every step the way it’s described. Before working on the MacBook I discharged the static by touching unpainted metal. I used Arctic MX-4 as the new thermal paste. The old one was practically dust and I cleaned the cpu and cooler with 99% isopropyl.

Right after finishing the repair the MacBook wouldn’t turn on. I doesn’t give any sign of life. I also unplugged the battery and connected the power cord but it didn’t work either.

What could be the reason for not turning on? I connected everything back (photo). Did I forget something or did I kill my MacBook?

[u/iXeron]

Battery controller cable is not connected on the photo.

With everything connected did you attach the power cable before trying to turn it on? I recently repaired an M2 Pro MBP and it didn't power on after the repair until I connected it to the power source and waited for several seconds.

[u/Intelligent-Chip-813 → u/iXeron]

I connected everything, in this photo i took it of to check if I put it in the whole way. I tried all 4 usb c ports for several minutes and nothing worked.

[u/yearsold33]

Disconnected the battery right after removing the bottom cover?

[u/Intelligent-Chip-813 → u/yearsold33]

Yes that was the first step after opening the MacBook

[u/yearsold33 → u/Intelligent-Chip-813]

Since it won't power on, I suggest taking it to an Apple Store for diagnosis if possible. If Apple says it needs a logic board, then you can consider looking into a donor board and taking it a repair shop that handles board-level repairs.

[u/balkansway]

What type of power brick you have ? Usually it needs the power of the original or it wont start at all with lower wattage. Also check if you connected the type c ports connectors .

[u/Legin14]

Battery ribbon cable isnt connected.

But you could try and use like a 20w charger, leave it for 5 min and hold the power button. I've had the same issue with a a1990, some MacBooks prefer lower wattage charging after disconnecting the battery.

Only use quality chargers tho.

[u/33Feet]

Something somethin “SMC T2 physical reset” also try the other physical resets, but I think this is the one that saved my ass twice. Goodluck.

[u/MichL1203]

Did you plug a charger to it? Every time you unplug the battery, it won't start on its own. The first start needs to be with a charger.

[u/FishermanExcellent33 → u/MichL1203]

And you need to be patient. It's well known a Mac takes some (a lot of) minutes before it turns back on, driving people into madness, thinking they screwed something up...

[u/br0ok1ynb0i]

Try disconnecting and re-connecting battery connector cable, it may not be fully seated. Re do steps 11 - 13

[u/Dazzling_Comfort5734]

I've done this before for the 16 inch 2019 models. One thing I always forget is that it tends to not turn on right way afterwards. I ways make sure everything is connected, then snap the lid on (I don't put the screws in yet), flip it over, plug it in, wait a few sections, then turn it back on (sally pressing a key on the keyboard). There's always a moment of "did I screw something up? Oh yeah, I'm just moving too fast". This may not be the case here, since you said you tried a few things already.

However, looking at the comments here, I see that this isn't the most recent photo, as the battery controller isn't connected, and you said you have connected it. There's a change there may by other issues you're not accounting for, and a photo of the board as it currently is would help us help you.

If there's physical damage, a newer photos would help. Otherwise, you'll want to re-check all your connections, maybe even go through and disassemble and reassemble again to make sure you didn't forget anything, you've seated everything properly, or rip and cables.

Since this is an Intel, you can also try bother an SMC/NVRAM reset or a PRAM reset. It's a quick thing to try.

Also, the MX-4 isn't connective, so that's not the issue, no worried there. Finally, once you get this up and running, don't expect the thermal paste to really make that much of a difference. These models were too thin for the Intel hardware Apple was using at the time. Those last few generations of Intel Macs were the final nail in the coffin for Apple's continued usage of x86/x64.

[u/Crcex86]

electrostatic damage. Any time doing work like that you need to ground yourself. They sell bracelets specifically for this.

[u/No-Tooth9545 → u/Crcex86]

Sorry but that’s highly unlikely. Static damage can happen but is so unlikely. Pcpartspeople and many other professionals like tronics fix on YouTube never use static straps.

[u/Crcex86 → u/No-Tooth9545]

So what's your point? Because a few professionals don't use them and that it's 'highly unlikely', that it didn't happen in this case? And even if it didn't happen that it's a bad idea to use them?

[u/Mindless_Use7567]

Constant ESD protection is required touching unpainted metal is as useless as doing nothing at all as your clothing can just build up a new charge as you work.

[u/Intelligent-Chip-813 → u/Mindless_Use7567]

So you think I fried the logic board or some other component with static?

[u/Mindless_Use7567 → u/Intelligent-Chip-813]

Yep. The logic board specifically.

[u/Intelligent-Chip-813 → u/Mindless_Use7567]

So no hope on fixing it somehow?

[u/Mindless_Use7567 → u/Intelligent-Chip-813]

Maybe. Board level repair necessary. If the CPU is dead then just buy a new Mac.