2011 MBA 11" — Troubleshooting charging problem

[pullman]

Hello everyone

I received excellent support to select a new Air for my wife in this thread. But her getting a new computer has opened up the question what to do with her old 11" MBA, which has a charging problem.

I've tried two original Apple chargers but the computer will only rarely charge (indicated by the light on the MagSafe plug and in the OS).

I have reset SMC and PRAM without any improvement and cleaned all the various contacts. The battery is still (incredibly) reported as healthy. I have opened the computer and had a look and as far as I can tell nothing looks strange. The battery's connector is properly seated for instance.

I guess the problem could be either in the MagSafe port or in the logic board. A logic board replacement is likely completely uneconomic unless I find a used computer for a song, but is there a possibility to replace the MagSafe somehow?

These are wild stabs in the dark, obviously, so any suggestions would be gratefully received.

cheers
Philip

 

[throAU]

Might want to check Louis Rossman's YouTube channel. I'm sure he's ranted plenty about MacBook charge ports, and he might have some information on common faults for that model or at least that vintage model.

 

[Audit13]

It may need replacement of the charging I/O board: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Air+11-Inch+Mid+2011+I-O+Board+Replacement/6310

 

[pullman]

Thank you very much, that's a channel I didn't know.

Might want to check Louis Rossman's YouTube channel. I'm sure he's ranted plenty about MacBook charge ports, and he might have some information on common faults for that model or at least that vintage model.

 

[pullman]

Thank you, yes I think one of those would be the place to start. I see they're available for 30-50 Euro so perhaps it's worth it. I'm keeping my eyes open for a broken 2011 MBA 11" to cannibalise too.

It may need replacement of the charging I/O board: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Air+11-Inch+Mid+2011+I-O+Board+Replacement/6310

 

[StoneJack]

Thank you, yes I think one of those would be the place to start. I see they're available for 30-50 Euro so perhaps it's worth it. I'm keeping my eyes open for a broken 2011 MBA 11" to cannibalise too.

All charging problems come either from the IO board, battery or sensors. Since it is 2011 model, just have the battery replaced and see if that solves the problem. You will need a newer battery anyway. It is quite cheap and you will got a healthy properly functioninig little notebook Apple doesn't make anymore (I had 11 inch MBA, very light machine). It still will perfectly ok for any kind of office or business work.

 

[pullman]

Thanks Jack. I suspect it's the power board because the battery was fine the other day. Here in NL batteries are between 40-80 Euros whereas the power boards go for much less. I'll see which way I go.

And yes the 11 MBA is great. I'm typing this on the very last maxed-out CTO 11" MBA from 2015. It's a shame Apple doesn't offer these tiny machines any longer, which makes it all the more important to keep them alive.

br
Philip

All charging problems come either from the IO board, battery or sensors. Since it is 2011 model, just have the battery replaced and see if that solves the problem. You will need a newer battery anyway. It is quite cheap and you will got a healthy properly functioninig little notebook Apple doesn't make anymore (I had 11 inch MBA, very light machine). It still will perfectly ok for any kind of office or business work.

 

[pullman]

Hello again

I have installed a new power board in the 2011 but no joy. The computer still does not charge.

I'm thinking of replacing the battery next and in searching for the correct model I saw that according to iFixit my 2015 MBA's battery is supposedly compatible with the mid 2011.

Does anyone know if this is really true?

I'm asking because the 2011 MBA's battery has six cells and is called A1406 with specs 7,3V / 35Wh / 4680 mAh. The 2015 MBA has four cells and is called A1465 with specs 7,6V / 39 Wh.

It would certainly help the troubleshooting to install the 2015 MBA's battery for testing, but I'm hesitant in case it'll fry the 2011 MBA.

Thanks in advance

Philip

 

[pullman]

I'll answer my own question. Yes the batteries are interchangeable apparently.

So this means that it is not the power board, nor the battery. It is also not the thick cable of the charger (the one that goes into the outlet) because I've tried one from my 2015 MBA. It could be the power brick itself or the thin cable. Or it could be the logic board or the flat cable that connects the power board to the logic board.

I'm not so willing to spend too much on this computer as it is so old but there's some sentimental value in it so if possible it would be nice to retain in working condition. While it had the 2015 MBA's battery I installed Monterey OCLP which went OK (though I accidentally used the USB for my cMP 3,1 and had to reset PRAM and reinstall the OCLP app).

The next step is probably to find a donor laptop that's broken but has a functioning logic board and see if that makes a difference.

according to iFixit my 2015 MBA's battery is supposedly compatible with the mid 2011.

Does anyone know if this is really true?