Fix Your Stuff Community Store

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

544 Questions View all

Options

MagSafe adapter dim light issue due to broken logic board component?

Greeting,

I have a Mid-2010 MacBook Pro 17” that randomly has weird charging behavior.

The issues:

  • sometimes (and only sometimes) the MagSafe adapter gives “dim” light while charging (QUESTION: Why?)
  • found a small (grounding?) pin in the case: it should be above the Ethernet port (possible short out issue? Could this be the cause?)

Other:

  • moving a bit or unplugging then plugging the MagSafe adapter back in the DC board usually fixes the “dim light” issue
  • MacBook works and charges just fine (no slow charging issues and 90% of the times the MagSafe adapter gives normal, not dim light: green when fully charged or discharging and red while charging)
  • DC board seems to be in a good condition
  • MagSafe adapter and the MacBook’s battery are good and genuine Apple
  • no corrosion or burnt areas can be seen on the logic board or the DC board

Possible QUESTION 2..the MagSafe adapter always gives green light while the battery is discharging but plugged in (this can happen under full load: the i7+Nvidia GT 330M draws more power that the 85W power adapter can deliver which is normal). But is it normal that the adapter is not red, but green when this happens? I don’t know that..

Thanks in advance,

Brian

Block Image

Block Image

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Yes No
Score 0
4 Comments

The pogo pin is part of the EMI grounding system. Don’t worry one missing is not that big a deal.

by

Thanks. Bit unrelated but I have noticed the MacBook's 3.5mm Jack port - if low impedance but quality headphones/headsets are used - has a constant 'hissing' sound. Some kind of background noise that is independent of the actual loudness setting. I was able to "fix it" by using the Apple USB-C to 3.5 Jack dongle (with an additional USB-C to USB adapter).. Can this background sound caused by a grounding issue?

by

@brianm12552 - A hiss issue is more an issue of filter logic not working. The adapter you used has a filter circuit inside.

EMI grounding is not the same of hum or whine within poor grounding of the analog signal to a speaker.

Think of it this way… Milk, soda and water all can quench your thirst. Only water is calorie free! So let’s not mix things that on the surface may seem related.

by

Thanks. Sadly, it also happens when I don’t charge the MacBook. Might it be related to that I don’t use the extension cable for the MagSafe adapter? So I just plug the adapter in the wall…

by

Add a comment

1 Answer

Filter by:
Most Helpful Newest Oldest
Chosen Solution

Options

You are likely hitting two different issues here. First the MagSafe outlet (DC In board) plastic tends to warp so the contacts don’t make a good contact. Here’s the needed part MacBook Pro 17" Unibody (Early-Mid 2009) MagSafe DC-In Board see if iFixit has it in stock, otherwise it will take a bit of hunting down P/N 661-4950 as it’s been quite a few years out of production. Here’s the guide MacBook Pro 17" Unibody MagSafe DC-In Board Replacement at least take it out to clean the plastic and contact surfaces.

The second issue is the battery it’s self! Unless you’ve been good on replacing it every four / five years the original battery is just not up to the task! And likely was what caused the MagSafe port to be damaged! You see the charger was over powering what the battery could hold as it’s not able to take the power it was delivering, so this excess power was converted to heat! Both at the battery and the connector.

If you press the battery checker button on the side if it flashes it’s telling you your battery cycle count has exceeded the 1000 cycles. Even still I would install this gem of an App! CoconutBattery sadly, the current version won’t work in your system, post a note Chris to get the older version (let him know we sent you😇) anyways here’s the needed guide MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Battery Replacement sorry, iFixit doesn’t offer the battery anymore.

MacBook Pro 17" Unibody (Early-Mid 2009) MagSafe DC-In Board Image

Product

MacBook Pro 17" Unibody (Early-Mid 2009) MagSafe DC-In Board

$44.99

MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Battery Image

Guide

MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Battery Replacement

Difficulty:

Moderate

—

15 - 45 minutes
MacBook Pro 17" Unibody MagSafe DC-In Board Image

Guide

MacBook Pro 17" Unibody MagSafe DC-In Board Replacement

Difficulty:

Difficult

—

45 minutes - 2 hours

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0

1 Comment:

Thanks for the answer! There are ~140 battery cycles in the battery (can check it tomorrow) and its DC board seemed to be in a pretty good condition. Battery lasts ~3.5 hours with a full charge.

I have the geniune Apple 85W MagSafe power adapter that I just bought a few months ago. I owned some 17" MacBook Pros and most of them ( :D ) didn't have problems with it.

by

Add a comment

Add your answer

BrianM will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 1

Past 30 Days: 5

All Time: 76