Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Can Anyone Help Me - Charging problem?

C

Catutti

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 31, 2016
5
0
Apologies if this problem has been posted before and take it easy with me - Me and my Macbook Pro are new to the forum. I've just bought a Macbook Pro 8, 13" (made early 2011 I think) and it has got an annoying fault. First time I have ever had an Apple product and it's driving me nuts.
I put the magsafe charger onto the computer and nothing - no lights or anything. I take the lead off the battery - yes I know it's a fixed in battery but desperation drives a girl to desperate measures - and the green light comes on the magsafe. I then connect the battery and it goes amber and starts to charge. The icon on the screen shows it charging as well. Take the magsafe off and put it on again and nothing, no light, no charging up. Does anyone know what's goin' on.
 
Catutti said:
Apologies if this problem has been posted before and take it easy with me - Me and my Macbook Pro are new to the forum. I've just bought a Macbook Pro 8, 13" (made early 2011 I think) and it has got an annoying fault. First time I have ever had an Apple product and it's driving me nuts.
I put the magsafe charger onto the computer and nothing - no lights or anything. I take the lead off the battery - yes I know it's a fixed in battery but desperation drives a girl to desperate measures - and the green light comes on the magsafe. I then connect the battery and it goes amber and starts to charge. The icon on the screen shows it charging as well. Take the magsafe off and put it on again and nothing, no light, no charging up. Does anyone know what's goin' on.
Click to expand...

So just to confirm:

- The system will boot up into OS X while on mains power?
- The system will shut off immediately after disconnecting the MagSafe: or, you shut it down and it won't boot up on battery power only, even if it shows as fully charged?
 
Thanks for your reply. It will run off battery fine even though there is no light on the magsafe - if there is obviously charge in the battery. Boots up OK, no problem. If I plug in the magsafe, there is no light or charging at all. So then what I have to do is shut down, disconnect he battery, put the magsafe in and the light will show green, then I can plug the battery connector back in and the magsafe turns amber and battery is being charged, system boots up fine, charger symbol reads OK. Frustrating......
 
JTToft said:
Have you reset SMC?

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295
Click to expand...
Yes, I've managed to do a SMC reset with no change
[doublepost=1470074797][/doublepost]
MacInTO said:
If you have, it would be good to try it with another charger and battery. If you try it and you get the same result, it's probably the connector (the MagSafe DC-in board). It's a cheap part ($10-$20) but it's tricky to replace.

Here's another thread with a similar issue,

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mid-2012-macbook-pro-not-charging.1980801/#post-23093299
Click to expand...
Thanks for the link. I have taken the thing to bits - I followed instructions from someone on the internet so feel as though I am able to replace the board you mention - and if it's as cheap as you say then it's worth a go. Is the feeling that it definitely an hardware fault and not something to do with a corrupt OS. Will defo look for the part on E-Bay though.
Do I need to look for a specific one or are they a part that has been used in numerous Macbooks?
 
Last edited:
Catutti said:
Thanks for the link. I have taken the thing to bits - I followed instructions from someone on the internet so feel as though I am able to replace the board you mention - and if it's as cheap as you say then it's worth a go. Is the feeling that it definitely an hardware fault and not something to do with a corrupt OS. Will defo look for the part on E-Bay though.
Do I need to look for a specific one or are they a part that has been used in numerous Macbooks?
Click to expand...

It's the same for 2009-2012 13" MBPs. Here's new ones and compatibility from iFixit if you don't like used parts,

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/Ma...y-Model-A1278-MagSafe-DC-In-Board/IF163-011-1
 
  • Like
Reactions: Catutti
Catutti said:
Yes, I've managed to do a SMC reset with no change
[doublepost=1470074797][/doublepost]
Thanks for the link. I have taken the thing to bits - I followed instructions from someone on the internet so feel as though I am able to replace the board you mention - and if it's as cheap as you say then it's worth a go. Is the feeling that it definitely an hardware fault and not something to do with a corrupt OS. Will defo look for the part on E-Bay though.
Do I need to look for a specific one or are they a part that has been used in numerous Macbooks?
Click to expand...
How lucky is that? Just ordered one - exact same serial number from a place about 10 miles from me - £4.46 (sorry, don't know what that is in $'s) At least it will rule that out if it doesn't work
[doublepost=1470075592][/doublepost]I may be back in a couple of days if it doesn't work. Thanks for the help anyhow.
 
Catutti said:
How lucky is that? Just ordered one - exact same serial number from a place about 10 miles from me - £4.46 (sorry, don't know what that is in $'s) At least it will rule that out if it doesn't work
[doublepost=1470075592][/doublepost]I may be back in a couple of days if it doesn't work. Thanks for the help anyhow.
Click to expand...
That's awesome! Still cheap. Probably the cost of a latte!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Catutti
Well it was a nice thought - that replacing the MagSafe DC board would cure the problem, but I'm afraid it didn't. Still the same fault. I've looked at the battery condition and cycle count is only about 200 and all the other data is normal so the search goes on for a cure. Any more ideas most welcome
 
That's too bad.

Maybe you have a faulty battery?

If you bought the MBP used, perhaps the previous owner replaced it with a bad knockoff battery.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Catutti
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back