Charger Won't Stick/Connect (Need a Nee Battery?)

[Angel201]

It's been a couple months since I've been MacBook-less now. I've had my white MacBook for about 6 years. Still in fairly good condition. A few months ago, my charger just wouldn't connect the magnet to the port to charge. I cleaned all debris from the port, and even went to the Apple store to buy a brand new charger. I got home only to find out the issue persisted. The charger just won't stick! What's the problem here? Is it because the battery has officially died?

Thank you.

 

[Altemose]

It's been a couple months since I've been MacBook-less now. I've had my white MacBook for about 6 years. Still in fairly good condition. A few months ago, my charger just wouldn't connect the magnet to the port to charge. I cleaned all debris from the port, and even went to the Apple store to buy a brand new charger. I got home only to find out the issue persisted. The charger just won't stick! What's the problem here? Is it because the battery has officially died?

Thank you.

The battery's condition has no effect on the charger's "sticking". MagSafe is a magnet based technology. The steps varied a little between the unibody and non-unibody MacBooks.

Report back with what system you have! If you don't know, check the model number.

 

[Angel201]

Thanks for your reply. The model number is: A1342

Glad to know the battery doesn't define whether the MagSafe connects or not. Like I said earlier, I went to Apple and brought a replacement charger, and it just won't "magnetize," or stick. It's just a limp connect that falls right out.

 

[DeltaMac]

The magnet is not in the charger cord.
It's internal to your Macbook.
If you look inside that built-in connector, it may appear worn (after 5 or 6 years, that's expected), but the pins should be good (there's 5 gold contacts in a row), and the internal connector should NOT appear loose at all (try moving it gently), and the pins should match up securely with the charger cord connector. If the lineup of pins appears crooked, or is loose, that internal magsafe connector needs replacing.

(note, your old power adapter may still be good, if the internal connector is broken - unless there was some other issue, like visible damage to charger cable ... )

 

[Angel201]

Thank you, Delta. I have attached an image. It does not feel loose or wobbly. I no longer have a charger, since I returned the new one that wasn't working, and needed the money. What do you think?

 

[DeltaMac]

I can see that the magsafe port needs to be replaced. Your picture shows the damage quite clearly. Your MacBook has been dropped (see the crack radiating down from that opening?), and the cracks on the Magsafe connector likely mean that the magnet has been knocked loose, and is likely attached to something else magnetic, maybe one of the internal speakers. Take your Macbook to an authorized service shop, or and Apple retail store for service. They will be able to give you a quote for the repair - and an experienced tech can make sure that the magnet inside is not loose to cause further damage.
They might even replace that missing bottom case cover (worth asking for that!) Sometimes they do that at no charge, but I'm not sure about that.

If you still have your old charger cable, can you get the charging power light to come on, if you hold the charger in position? If it is a right-angle connector, and not the older straight connector, it would be fairly simple to tape the connector in place, so you can charge the battery, and use your MacBook.

 

[mlsimmons]

if that doesn't work, you should be able to get a replacement magsafe board on ebay and replace it. You'll need to be comfortable with removing the motherboard and have the torx and small phillips head screwdrivers to do that. the magsafe board is a separate board that plugs into a connector underneath the motherboard. You can go to ifixit to see the process of taking it apart and replacing it. Also it looks like the rubberized surface is missing from the aluminum base. Apple has a replacement program where you can either go to an apple store or order a replacement on-line and they'll send you a new one for free. I just got one for mine a couple of weeks ago. you'll need to enter your macbook's serial number to qualify.

 

[Altemose]

Thank you, Delta. I have attached an image. It does not feel loose or wobbly. I no longer have a charger, since I returned the new one that wasn't working, and needed the money. What do you think?

The MacBook's bottom case assembly is under a repair extension program due to failing glue holding the rubber to the plastic. Apple or a AASP can perform the work, or you can order a DIY kit free of charge since it is an easy procedure.

As for the MagSafe, it is a difficult repair if you don't have experience. A 2009 or 2010 MacBook is not the best system to learn on either. Essentially, the Logic Board is removed, and the MagSafe board gets disconnected. There is no shortcut since the connector is on the top of the board. By the top I mean facing the keyboard. Unibody Macs open from the bottom case coming off where as pre-unibody models removed the top case. Either way, here is a link if you are confident with the repair.

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Unibody+Model+A1342+MagSafe+Board+Replacement/1676

 

[n_baldwin]

It looks as if the MagSafe inboard has taken a knock and has been pushed back into the MacBook, it may still be good but too far in to make a proper connection with the charger tip.
Unfortunately as mentioned the logic board has to be removed to gain access, but I was able to fix a similar problem by loosening the retaining screws of an inboard and realigning it with the case.