MacBook Pro A2159 - Will only boot in safe mode

[TimScrawn]

Hi there,

I'm having trouble with the MBP A2159 I have here. It originally came in with a fault with no being able to install the MacOS. You could not DFU restore or internet recovery. I tried many different things (New housing, new DFU cables, New mac's for DFU), nothing worked. I then removed the SOC Rom from motherboard (T2), and reprogrammed with a known good bin file. I then restored the SN. After doing a DFU restore, the Mac worked. I then re-installed the OS and it then came up with an MDM lock. I then got another serial number from a donor board and used that. MDM lock removed. However, I do notice that the mac will only boot to the OS via Safe Mode? Does anyone know why this could be happening? This is a fresh install of MacOS + Fresh DFU restore. Feel free to ask any questions. Thanks

[ugamazing]

A2159 CPUs are trash, might be a failing CPU. Of course, messing with ROM will create unusual issues, but since you mentioned restore issues beforehand, it's possibly a failing CPU. T2 could be suspect, but it typically won't be affected by safe/non-safe boot conditions (as its work is largely 'done' once power is achieved).

Try reflowing the CPU and the RAM and see if conditions change. Sometimes you get lucky on these.