08-27-2011, 11:01 AM

Hi all!

I've done quite a bit of searching and haven't seemed to find a solution or cause for my problem.

My Macbook pro power cord all of a sudden decided to not charge my battery anymore. The light at the connector is a CONSTANT yellow/orange light (not the standard orange glow when charging) even when it is not connected to my laptop. My friend's charger works fine on my computer so I'm certain it's a problem with the cord. When the cord is plugged in my laptop reads "(Not Charging)" in the upper right corner, BUT the computer runs off of the power cord for power and not the battery.

Can anyone help me? Or am I up a creek without a paddle?

Thanks!
Andy

08-27-2011, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by mell0

Can anyone help me? Or am I up a creek without a paddle?

How many times have you tripped over your MacBook Pro's power cord while it was plugged into the computer? This is probably one of the top reasons a power adapter will fail.

Another idea...try cleaning the power adapters plug (the part that plugs into the MacBook Pro) & cleaning the power port (the port that the power adapter plugs into). I would recommend a DRY (not wet) old toothbrush.

If you're lucky...maybe things are just dirty. But if you have tripped over the cord a number of times...the power adapter may be damaged.

HTH

- Nick

08-27-2011, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by pigoo3

How many times have you tripped over your MacBook Pro's power cord while it was plugged into the computer? This is probably one of the top reasons a power adapter will fail.

Another idea...try cleaning the power adapters plug (the part that plugs into the MacBook Pro) & cleaning the power port (the port that the power adapter plugs into). I would recommend a DRY (not wet) old toothbrush.

If you're lucky...maybe things are just dirty. But if you have tripped over the cord a number of times...the power adapter may be damaged.

HTH

- Nick

Never tripped or damaged the cord that I'm aware of. It's plugged in behind my couch and doesn't see much movement at all. No visible damage to any part of the cord or adapter.

I cleaned both the power adapter and the computer end with still no avail. It's definitely making a connection and transferring some power to my computer. When I plug the adapter to my computer the backlight brightens and it says "Power Source: Power Adapter" when I click the "(Not Charging)" icon in the upper right.

08-27-2011, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by mell0

Never tripped or damaged the cord that I'm aware of. It's plugged in behind my couch and doesn't see much movement at all. No visible damage to any part of the cord or adapter.

I cleaned both the power adapter and the computer end with still no avail. It's definitely making a connection and transferring some power to my computer. When I plug the adapter to my computer the backlight brightens and it says "Power Source: Power Adapter" when I click the "(Not Charging)" icon in the upper right.

The key statement you made here is how the backlight brightens when you plug the power adapter into the MacBook Pro...so like you mentioned the MacBook Pro is receiving power from the "charger".

So if the power adapter is good, and the computer is receiving power from it (clean connections)...then this leads us to the battery. What sort of condition is your battery in (how much runtime do you get if you unplug the computer & run it off the battery)? If you've got an old worn-out battery...this can cause the issues you describe as well.

- Nick

08-27-2011, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by pigoo3

The key statement you made here is how the backlight brightens when you plug the power adapter into the MacBook Pro...so like you mentioned the MacBook Pro is receiving power from the "charger".

So if the power adapter is good, and the computer is receiving power from it (clean connections)...then this leads us to the battery. What sort of condition is your battery in? If you've got an old worn-out battery...this can cause the issues you describe as well.

- Nick

The battery is in perfect condition for it's age. Still lasts I would say 3-4+ hours depending on how I'm using it. My friend's charger works fine with my computer charging the battery to a full charge.

I'm not sure if I emphasized this enough in my initial post but the light on the power cord constantly remains lit even when the cord is NOT plugged into my computer. When I plug it in to my computer the light remains lit the same abnormal yellow/orange hue.

08-27-2011, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by mell0

I'm not sure if I emphasized this enough in my initial post but the light on the power cord constantly remains lit even when the cord is NOT plugged into my computer. When I plug it in to my computer the light remains lit the same abnormal yellow/orange hue.

Yes I do remember reading this in your initial post. This is sort of strange (the light on the charger plug should go out when removed from the computer). And like you mentioned earlier...logically this would seem to be a charger issue & not a computer issue. This is why I mentioned the "tripping over the cord" possibility...or maybe it was dropped or banged against something (unbeknownst to you). It only takes one accident to potentially damage the power adapter. It is also possible that the power adapter is defective.

It definitely sounds like the power adapter is the problem...especially since your friends adapter works fine with your computer. Now old is your computer?...does it still have Applecare on it? Apple may replace the adapter under warranty if it is still covered.

If your computer is no longer covered under warranty...you could try purchasing another one. OWC (macsales.com) is currently having a "Garage Sale"...you can get a genuine Apple replacement adapter for a great price ($27.99-$35.99) versus the $79.00 Apple price. Just enter "Garage Sale" in the OWC search field.

HTH,

- Nick

p.s. You could also just "wing it" (and even if your computer is no longer covered under Applecare)...you could visit a local Apple Store...nicely explain the situation...and who knows...they may replace it for free (or charge you a reduced price).

08-27-2011, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by pigoo3

Yes I do remember reading this in your initial post. This is sort of strange (the light on the charger plug should go out when removed from the computer). And like you mentioned earlier...logically this would seem to be a charger issue & not a computer issue. This is why I mentioned the "tripping over the cord" possibility...or maybe it was dropped or banged against something (unbeknownst to you). It only takes one accident to potentially damage the power adapter. It is also possible that the power adapter is defective.

It definitely sounds like the power adapter is the problem...especially since your friends adapter works fine with your computer. Now old is your computer?...does it still have Applecare on it? Apple may replace the adapter under warranty if it is still covered.

If your computer is no longer covered under warranty...you could try purchasing another one. OWC (macsales.com) is currently having a "Garage Sale"...you can get a genuine Apple replacement adapter for a great price ($27.99-$35.99) versus the $79.00 Apple price. Just enter "Garage Sale" in the OWC search field.

HTH,

- Nick

p.s. You could also just "wing it" (and even if your computer is no longer covered under Applecare)...you could visit a local Apple Store...nicely explain the situation...and who knows...they may replace it for free (or charge you a reduced price).

Yeah at this point I think the charger is shot. Unfortunately I go to school in the middle of nowhere and there isn't a mac store within 100 miles of me. I found a refurbished one on that site for $19.99 so I'm going to give that a shot. Thanks for all of your help!

08-27-2011, 01:46 PM

Does the connector that clicks to the machine on the end of the charger chord sort of spin around the cable or is it still tight? See if you can find some play there.

08-27-2011, 10:28 PM

If the indicator light on the adapter is lit up even when the adapter is not connected to the machine, then it sounds like there's a short in the cable that's creating a closed connection in the adapter itself. That would also explain why the computer can see the adapter's connected, but it's not providing enough power to charge the battery.

08-28-2011, 01:43 PM

So I ended up buying a re-manufactured charger for $20 only to find out that mine is working again. No damage to the connector or free play. It might have been a short if some liquid found its way down to the charger.

08-28-2011, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by mell0

So I ended up buying a re-manufactured charger for $20 only to find out that mine is working again. No damage to the connector or free play. It might have been a short if some liquid found its way down to the charger.

Well...I guess stuff will happen!

Remember when you said this back in post #3..."Never tripped or damaged the cord that I'm aware of."...liquid in the plug is damage. I only mention this because sometimes it's the stuff we forget that may contain the solution to some problems.

As far as the 2nd adapter. Sometimes it's nice to have a 2nd adapter. If you travel a lot with your computer (school or work)...you can leave one power adapter in your backpack or bag...and leave the other power adapter plugged in next to your favorite easy chair or couch where you use your laptop the most at home.

Congrats on things working again. That charger light staying when not plugged into the computer was an unusual problem.

- Nick

08-28-2011, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by pigoo3

Well...I guess stuff will happen!

Remember when you said this back in post #3..."Never tripped or damaged the cord that I'm aware of."...liquid in the plug is damage. I only mention this because sometimes it's the stuff we forget that may contain the solution to some problems.

As far as the 2nd adapter. Sometimes it's nice to have a 2nd adapter. If you travel a lot with your computer (school or work)...you can leave one power adapter in your backpack or bag...and leave the other power adapter plugged in next to your favorite easy chair or couch where you use your laptop the most at home.

Congrats on things working again. That charger light staying when not plugged into the computer was an unusual problem.

- Nick

Haha it definitely is damage. I didn't notice anything at first but this morning I went behind there to try the plug again and noticed it was a little sticky from something being spilled. Getting the second adapter for so cheap could be worse. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before someone breaks/loses theirs here at school and I'll be able to recoup my losses.