820-01958 boot into internet recovery only

[rob777]

Customer brought in MacBook Air 820-01958 for a battery that was not lasting and showing a not charging message. I replaced the battery with a non original most likely Chinese one.
It now boots into internet recovery only which never completes. 2003f error. Cannot SMC reset. Holding D for diagnostics does not work. Neither does holding option. Keyboard works ok for wifi password input. It has high fan spin whilst loading internet recovery and a laggy trackpad at the beginning. I can put into DFU mode and a revive does complete but same issue only booting to internet recovery.
Have tried new battery and pulled original battery. Tried new trackpad, trackpad board and flex cable. Have tried without audio board attached.
Bit stuck as to do what to do now and customer is getting quite annoyed at me. Assuming at i2c line but can’t find anything bad. Customer does not have a backup.

 

[2informaticos]

Machine should go in recovery when doesn't detect internal macOS.
Check if goes to target disk mode.

 

[rob777]

After a week of leaving it, it finally loaded internet recovery without error 2003f and everything is working installed back to normal. Odd scenario but at least it’s sorted.