dim backlight on sections of keyboard

Hi all,

Machine A1502 late 2013 had liquid damage... got a keyboard and backlight from Amazon, replaced it..

Board was repaired.

Machine working fine, except backlight is dim on sections of keyboard.

Not likely this is SMB... is it? Connector checked...

It's the mother of all repairs, %#*@ rivets, got 80% out... keyboard firm and solid on press. But the backlight... %#*@ annoying...

Could it be a case of being too close (backlight strip) to keyboard? needs a bit of space?

The adhesive sides were carefully put in place...

The top row of keys are backlit like they are supposed to look in the dark, rest of keyboard is quite dim if not at all, there is light under the keys.

I've done replacements of keyboards on Air(2014) and 15 inch retina 2015, and had no such issues...