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Model A1297 Unibody: Early 2009, Mid 2009, Mid 2010, Early 2011 & Late 2011

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Extremely slow charging? (Possible ceramic capacitor issue?)

Greetings,

I have an old Early-2009 MacBook Pro 17 A1297 that charges extremely slowly.

I'm not a professional when it comes to electronics.. but here are my observations:

The issues:

  • Extremely slow charging = ~8 hours per 30% charge
  • plugged in MagSafe adapter board always gives full (i.e., not "dim") green light (while charging, when charged.. so always: not red color can be seen)
  • logic board seems to have a missing ceramic capacitor C9709. How's that gone missing really? :)
    • I guess this is the culprit... but anyone can confirm this?

Other:

  • MacBook boots always (thank God)
  • no "slow computer" issues
  • DC board is not the nicest one I've ever seen but it seems fine to me
  • no sign of corrosion or burnt areas
  • MacBook's battery and the MagSafe adapter are fine (both genuine too)
  • already have tried:
    • resetting SMC, NVRAM
    • cleaning the port with isopropyl alcohol
    • putting another genuine, working battery in the MacBook to see if fixes anything (it did not)

By the way, isn’t the capacitor C7910 a bit swollen? It seems the be a bit.. overgrown.

Thanks in advance.

Brian M.

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What wattage charger are you using? The 17-inch requires an 85W charger to charge normally. If you're using a lower wattage charger it may not behave properly. Also, how did you confirm the health of the battery? You can use a tool like coconutBattery to check the health. Good luck!

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I reinstalled the OS in the meantime but I'll take a look at it again. coconutBattery earlier reported ~2.4Watts for charging and ~450 cycles.

I have the genuine Apple 85W MagSafe power adapter. I used to have another one but the MacBook didn't charge faster with that.

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@brianm12552 C9709 is part of the lcdbklt circuit and dies not have any direct impact on the charging circuit. Of course it needs to be replaced. C9710 is proper since its size is a 1210 package which is 3.2mm x 2.5 mm C1209 will be the same size.

Sometimes they come off because of failed solder, constant movement and heat from it‘s function.

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Thanks. I’ll try to get it repaired somehow… you said “lcdbklt circuit”? That’s odd, display is fine.

Now if you could help me with the 2010 MBP (MagSafe adapter dim light issue due to broken logic board component?) :D

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@brianm12552 C9709 is definitely part of the PPVOUT_S0_LCDBKLT rail. You got the schematic to verify that.

As for the other question yup, it's not the pogo pin ;-) Let's see if the current answer will get your laptop repaired. Your MagSafe looks a bit gnarly , but could just be my old eyes. Consider changing it and use the proper power supply

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I'll try with another DC board then, see if that helps. The current one is in a pretty bad shape yes..

As for the other topic, yeah I had a feeling that little fella isn't the cuplrit but I really wanted to blame it.. things would be simpler then. :D

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@brianm12552 I hear you. It would be great if it would always be the obvious things, but it never seems to be. :-) It always turns into a much bigger job.....

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BrianM will be eternally grateful.
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