Macbook Air Problem

[Brad93]

Maybe we have a few computer techs on here who could advise or even take a look at this laptop for me.

Its a 2012 or 2013 Macbook Air - model A1466. Very little use its criminal really. Its an SSD model and extremely fast for its age.

Wouldnt turn on so needed charging, after about half an hour the light on the magnetic power connector was green so took it off charge and it booted up fine.

Opened Excel, all running quick.

On phone to BA for 5 minutes and it went off. Wouldn't turn back on.

Put it on charge, light goes green immediately. UhOh.

Tried a few youtube videos, SMC reset, extended SMC reset the light on the Magnetic Connector did all the right things. Still wont turn on.

I need to order a Pentalobe screwdriver to try disconnecting the battery.

Is there something I'm missing? Have we got an expensive paper weight here.

Owned since new, but as i say never gets used by mrs.

 

[Matchless]

Maybe we have a few computer techs on here who could advise or even take a look at this laptop for me.

Its a 2012 or 2013 Macbook Air - model A1466. Very little use its criminal really. Its an SSD model and extremely fast for its age.

Wouldnt turn on so needed charging, after about half an hour the light on the magnetic power connector was green so took it off charge and it booted up fine.

Opened Excel, all running quick.

On phone to BA for 5 minutes and it went off. Wouldn't turn back on.

Put it on charge, light goes green immediately. UhOh.

Tried a few youtube videos, SMC reset, extended SMC reset the light on the Magnetic Connector did all the right things. Still wont turn on.

I need to order a Pentalobe screwdriver to try disconnecting the battery.

Is there something I'm missing? Have we got an expensive paper weight here.

Owned since new, but as i say never gets used by mrs.

Look on youtube, Louis Rossmann, he only repairs Macbooks, you can probably search for your model number, at the very least you can see how it comes apart, maybe get a usb voltage / amp meter from ebay that plugs between the charger and the Mac, the number of milliamps drawn with the battery disconnected tells you a lot,

 

[Brad93]

Look on youtube, Louis Rossmann, he only repairs Macbooks, you can probably search for your model number, at the very least you can see how it comes apart, maybe get a usb voltage / amp meter from ebay that plugs between the charger and the Mac, the number of milliamps drawn with the battery disconnected tells you a lot,

Bit over my head his videos mate.

 

[Matchless]

Bit over my head his videos mate.

way over mine but there is a lot of info that may help, I would not consider suggesting board repair using a microscope but some of the diagnosis is logical, disconnect the battery and run it from the charger, see how many amps it draws, chances are you have a dead battery, I replaced the screen on my phone last year and did not have many screws left over! that was an "easy" job made hard!

 

[mdr]

If it's not been charged for a while I'd ignore the LED colour and just leave it plugged in overnight - that's the first thing. Make sure it's definitely plugged in, switched on at the plug and won't get knocked etc. Basic stuff but worth making sure things like the charge is connected properly and delivering a charge.

After that, when you know it's been charged, you can unplug any accessories and try resetting again. I think, from memory, if you hold the power button for ten seconds you can get in to recovery mode and "fix things". It may be that the computer cannot tell if the battery is full or not and just goes to sleep.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

I've had similar issues...mine has the magsafe power with the little pins. The power leads go bad and so does the power port. Both available and easy to swap out...I would start with those (unless you know they are good). If flipping the power connector over makes a difference then probably the lead or the connector. Power lead ends are £5 I think for mine.

I also had to do my keyboard and battery....I have the A1502 and the battery is glued down....can be removed but you have to be careful.

When my battery went bad the MacBook actually gave a warning about the battery....think was only £100 so well worth swapping out.

Be really careful when pulling out the screen connector...I busted mine!

 

[duncans]

If it's not been charged for a while I'd ignore the LED colour and just leave it plugged in overnight - that's the first thing. Make sure it's definitely plugged in, switched on at the plug and won't get knocked etc. Basic stuff but worth making sure things like the charge is connected properly and delivering a charge.

After that, when you know it's been charged, you can unplug any accessories and try resetting again. I think, from memory, if you hold the power button for ten seconds you can get in to recovery mode and "fix things". It may be that the computer cannot tell if the battery is full or not and just goes to sleep.

talking about leaving a computer left on charge overnight a few yrs back my mate did it on his Toshiba laptop and the damn thing nearly caught fire it did ever since I never leave my MacBook plugged in overnight after seeing his laptop

 

[Exuptoy]

My daughters 2012 MacBook Air did the same, went in last week for repair. Cost her £180 and he said there was a fuse or a piece on the motherboard, the fan and the input from the charger don’t ask me to expand as I never spoke to him. His thing was put it in for assessment and he would advise if it was repairable.
Working fine now. Been unusable for the last 12months so in my book that’s a win. At least I don’t have to replace it.

 

[Exuptoy]

I could get his details if you wish to post it?

 

[Brad93]

Posting it isn’t going to be possible. Unfortunately Mrs has an online exam which she needs the MacBook for on Monday.

 

[Kayos]

Im far from an apple hater but there is one thing I do hate, they are true masters of built in obsolescence. Can be overcome with tinkering with the computers but phones are dead when they say they are

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Im far from an apple hater but there is one thing I do hate, they are true masters of built in obsolescence.

Yup...they only look good on the outside. Keyboard had about 60 tiny rivets....bloomin stupid....and the battery was glued in too!

I would try a different charger...if the light goes amber then don't tough it and get the charge to 100%. If you look at the power connector, when mine went one of the pins was a bit burned....they are spring loaded so when they lose their spring I think the contact area gets reduced and they heat up (guessing)

 

[mccp]

I have had similar issues with older macbooks - battery is probably dud and needs replacing. Does it work if you leave it connected to mains power, or does it have to be battery?

 

[Brad93]

Like I say, the computer was working, was on phone for 5 minutes and it had gone to a black screen. Wouldn’t turn on again.

 

[mccp]

Also , I think that you can check battery health (I am using an iMac so can't check this myself and you may need a recent version of OSX).

Try this?:

https://9to5mac.com/2019/03/19/check-battery-health-macbook/

 

[mccp]

Like I say, the computer was working, was on phone for 5 minutes and it had gone to a black screen. Wouldn’t turn on again.

You said you took it off charge, I assumed that means you disconnected mains power. If you didn't disconnect power, ignore my posts.

 

[Brad93]

You said you took it off charge, I assumed that means you disconnected mains power. If you didn't disconnect power, ignore my posts.

I’ve tried it both ways. Tried charging for hours. No joy.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Sure the screen hasn't gone (another common fault)....tried an external monitor?

 

[duncans]

I bet the battery needs replacing but it really needs someone who will do a test on it and find out exactly whats going on with it

 

[duncans]

wonder if you press the cmd button and the start button at the same time if it will boot up its worth a try