Is My Macbook Pro Charger On The Way Out?

[Trevor25222]

I have an 18-month-old 13" Macbook Pro with the standard L-type magsafe power connector.

Whilst visiting Thailand this month, the little LED on the magsafe sometimes fails to illuminate and charge the computer. The white adapter square goes cold and the battery runs down. I have a switched LED on my wall plug and that's always on. So either the power brick or the magsafe LED has an intermittent fault. Fortunately it seems to sort itself out by disconnecting everything and leaving it for a few hours. Rebooting the Mac doesn't help. It never did this in the UK.

What could be happening? Can I have the power-supply train professionally checked in Bangkok? Or should I buy a spare charger from iStudio, or elsewhere, in case of imminent failure? I see www.mac2hand.com / www.unlimitmac.com on Ratchadapisek Soi 32 (Lad Prao MRT) sells an original magsafe for ฿1700. Thanks for any tips.

[NeverSure]

You just indicated a likelihood that heat is separating or shorting something. Circuit boards and batteries are famous for that during expansion and contraction. Not saying that's it, but it might be since it works when it cools down. Unfortunately it doesn't sound as if you have other parts to swap out. It could even be a short or open in the battery. Do you have a spare?

I don't know what I'd do since I like to have duplicate parts on hand. I'd price a new charger, wall adapter and battery against the cost of service and then buying a replacement for the defective part. Just don't forget that part of the charging circuit is probably on the motherboard.

[Trevor25222]

You just indicated a likelihood that heat is separating or shorting something. Circuit boards and batteries are famous for that during expansion and contraction. Not saying that's it, but it might be since it works when it cools down. Unfortunately it doesn't sound as if you have other parts to swap out. It could even be a short or open in the battery. Do you have a spare?

I don't know what I'd do since I like to have duplicate parts on hand. I'd price a new charger, wall adapter and battery against the cost of service and then buying a replacement for the defective part. Just don't forget that part of the charging circuit is probably on the motherboard.

Nothing appears to overheat: the magsafe LED just goes out and the transformer goes from slightly-warm to cold. There's no spare battery. The aluminium body of the Macbook does get quite warm if I leave the charger connected continuously; maybe that indicates it is not throttling-down the current drawn once the battery is charged? The kit has been very reliable otherwise and a long-term Mac-enthusiast friend advised me not to bother with an extended warranty. I'll see if the problem recurs.

[arkom]

unilimitmac.com also fix Apple products, they might be able to check it for you. My cousin has taken his MacBook, MacBook Air and iPad to them to fix and was happy with their service.

[JusMe]

Might be able to narrow the problem a bit by removing the battery and seeing if the connected charger and magsafe keep the MB working.

If yes, then it's probably the battery that needs replacing. If not, that would show that the battery is keeping the MB working rather than direct power.

Just a thought.

[NeverSure]

You just indicated a likelihood that heat is separating or shorting something. Circuit boards and batteries are famous for that during expansion and contraction. Not saying that's it, but it might be since it works when it cools down. Unfortunately it doesn't sound as if you have other parts to swap out. It could even be a short or open in the battery. Do you have a spare?

I don't know what I'd do since I like to have duplicate parts on hand. I'd price a new charger, wall adapter and battery against the cost of service and then buying a replacement for the defective part. Just don't forget that part of the charging circuit is probably on the motherboard.

Nothing appears to overheat: the magsafe LED just goes out and the transformer goes from slightly-warm to cold. There's no spare battery. The aluminium body of the Macbook does get quite warm if I leave the charger connected continuously; maybe that indicates it is not throttling-down the current drawn once the battery is charged? The kit has been very reliable otherwise and a long-term Mac-enthusiast friend advised me not to bother with an extended warranty. I'll see if the problem recurs.

It doesn't have to overheat. It just has to warm and cool normally. When a circuit board warms, it expands. The circuits are printed onto it and they separate ever so slightly, creating an open circuit. Same with a battery or most other electronics. You are describing what may be a problem which occurs with normal warming and cooling. Maybe.

[Trevor25222]

(OP) Thanks for the replies guys. I am still experiencing intermittent charging with my original Macbook Pro power supply, evidenced by the small magsafe LED failing to illuminate whilst the main power plug's LED is on. Could be a broken connection somewhere on a circuit board as the problem seems worse when the electronics are warm. I don't have a spare battery but the original seems to hold its charge well.

So far I've been able to maintain enough charge in the battery to keep it working but would like to find a permanent solution. I guess that simply replacing the power train is the best option but it's an Apple product which is only 19 months old and it shouldn't have failed so early.

Back in the UK would an Apple retailer be likely to replace the power pack as a premature failure, even though the initial year's warranty has expired? Otherwise would a replacement likely be cheaper here in Thailand?

[Trevor25222]

You just indicated a likelihood that heat is separating or shorting something. Circuit boards and batteries are famous for that during expansion and contraction. Not saying that's it, but it might be since it works when it cools down. Unfortunately it doesn't sound as if you have other parts to swap out. It could even be a short or open in the battery. Do you have a spare?

2011-model Macbook Pros do not have user-serviceable batteries. They even use special screws to prevent interference. Would an Apple store with service personnel change-out a battery if it was suspected of failing-to-charge and only 19 months old?

[daleph]

The Magsafe is a tad unreliable , although if you have the L shaped metal one, it is supposed to fix the problem. The white ones failed for a pastime , especially if you roll the cable up frequently

One thing you could try, check the connector on the MacBook itself, as the magnet is in the laptop and not the power supply, this can cause it to collect fragments that can short the charge cable.

It wont be the internal battery, they hardly ever fail in the way you describe, if the internal battery fails, they refuse to charge full stop, and the Magsafe light will come on , but stay green.

In the end, it will probably turn out to be the power supply

Are you sure that the Magsafe for sale @ ฿1700 is genuine? If so its cheap, as compared to the UK price, it would be nearer to ฿3100

[Trevor25222]

The Magsafe is a tad unreliable , although if you have the L shaped metal one, it is supposed to fix the problem. The white ones failed for a pastime, especially if you roll the cable up frequently.

One thing you could try, check the connector on the MacBook itself, as the magnet is in the laptop and not the power supply, this can cause it to collect fragments that can short the charge cable.

It wont be the internal battery, they hardly ever fail in the way you describe, if the internal battery fails, they refuse to charge full stop, and the Magsafe light will come on , but stay green.

In the end, it will probably turn out to be the power supply

Are you sure that the Magsafe for sale @ ฿1700 is genuine? If so it's cheap, as compared to the UK price, it would be nearer to ฿3100.

My Magsafe is a grey T-shape and is clean; no loose fragments. Yes, they claim the ฿1700 one is genuine at www.mac2hand.com .

[DiNiro]

I have an intermittent connection problem too, having to jiggle both ends to get the mag safe LED to light up.

Cleaning the mag safe with a toothbrush seems to cure it.

[Gulfsailor]

Clean the ports on the adapter and Macbook with some alcohol or ipa. Solved similar issue for me.