Looking for help with 2017 A1466

[ptfso]

Hi there,

I have acquired a MacBook Air (13-inch, 2017) from a friend. It has some strange behaviour that I'm looking for help in fixing.

The laptop works fine but sometimes has issues being powered on. The battery does not drain abnormally quickly when I use it normally. However, if i shut the lid and leave it over night the battery will go flat? This should not happen when the laptop is sleeping?

To get the laptop to turn on again I have to connect the charger and let it charge for a while and the laptop will only power on after multiple attempts at resetting the SMC and holding the power button. It can take up to half an hour before I am able to turn it on again. I have done research and I don't think this is a common issue so any ideas anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

 

[chscag]

Welcome to our forums.

Putting the MacBook Air to sleep should not deplete the battery. And if the battery is okay during regular usage, there may be several things that could be causing it:

1. Something that's running while the MBA is sleeping

2. Defective power control (logic board problem)

As an aside, there is nothing wrong with leaving the MBA on its charger all night even when it's sleeping. That will not harm the battery.

Also, there's always a chance that the battery itself may be failing.

The US site ifixit sells the battery and also has instructions on how to replace it.

MacBook Air 13" (Late 2010-2017) Replacement Battery - iFixit

 

[ptfso]

Welcome to our forums.

2. Defective power control (logic board problem)

MacBook Air 13" (Late 2010-2017) Replacement Battery - iFixit

I imagine that it would involve replacing a chip on the logic board?

I did a test just now:

1. I charged the MBA to 100%.

2. I shut it down and then left it off for an hour in order to do a cold start.

3. Attempted to power on the MBA and it did not power on.

4. I reset the SMC and it powered on, the first try but with 84% battery?? How could the battery lose charge when the laptop is off?

Do you think this points to the battery or the power delivery control being defective?

Many thanks

 

[chscag]

Do you think this points to the battery or the power delivery control being defective?

It could be either one but if the machine powers on after a SMC reset, it would seem the power control is at least working for that.

Anything that relates to the power control on the logic board is going to be expensive to repair as it would likely require the entire board to be swapped out. Replacing components on a layered board is not something that you can normally do at home.

Replacing the battery would be easier and less expensive. If you do decide to replace the battery, make sure you can return it for a refund in the event that wasn't the problem.

One note: If the battery goes completely dead (zero charge) you may not be able to start the machine even after a SMC reset and while it's on the charger.

 

[ptfso]

Replacing components on a layered board is not something that you can normally do at home.

I have access to an electronics workshop so if this is the case I'm confident i could do it.

If the battery goes completely dead (zero charge) you may not be able to start the machine even after a SMC reset and while it's on the charger.

Is this something one would experience on a MBA in perfect working order?

 

[chscag]

Is this something one would experience on a MBA in perfect working order?

Later model MacBooks (Air, Pro) require a working battery in order to start up. Older models could be run from the charger with the battery removed albeit at slower CPU speeds.

So yes, if the battery in a normal working MBA is removed or goes completely dead, the machine will not turn on until there is a sufficient charge on it to start up. It's the way Apple has designed it.