Rich

If the hot-air treatment works, I guess it's because your problem came from use of Lead-Free Solder in manufacturing. The world electronics assembly industry was forced to switch in mid-2000's from tin/lead solder to Lead-Free (mostly just tin) Solder. That led to many quality problems. Not enough research had been done. Lead-Free Solder is very particular about how it's used and treated, or you end up with bad joints, or short circuits (over time, from tin whiskers). The industry eventually learned, after a few years. Unfortunately, some products made during the mid-to-late-2000's that had passed QC and got shipped out, then failed after some years of use and stress (thermal cycling=turning on/off, humidity, bending, etc.). Lead-free solder melts around 425 deg-F. But a lower temperature like 300 deg-F can solve problems - relieve stressed joints, close small cracks. This is what the internet videos are doing -- with a hair-dryer or oven. Tin whiskers is another possible problem. To melt tin whiskers -- each...

This step could use an image showing the cable lock in the "up" position, releasing the connector. It is hard to see how it works in the "down" position. I think this is the actual connector - there are images in the PDF linked here:

http://www.ddknet.co.jp/English/products...

My MBP has an intermittent connection in this keyboard cable. It would be good to know where to buy a replacement!