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MacBook - Battery is not Charging (New Battery)

A few weeks ago, my MagSafe adapter burnt out. Someone else was using the computer, didn't notice, and the entire battery got depleted. Now, I replaced the MagSafe adapter. When I plugged it in, the MacBook worked, but the battery would not charge. I tried all the tricks, resetting the pram, getting the update, whatever. I then convinced Apple that the battery was bad, and they gave me a new one. So here I am, with a new MagSafe and new battery, and the thing still will not charge. The MacBook recognizes the battery, and it will run off the battery as well, but it will not charge it. I've tried other MagSafe adapters, tried cleaning the connector, tried taking the battery out and holding down the power button (while off), nothing works. I am hoping someone has a solution other than "buy a new logic board."

strung

Try resetting the SMU as follows:

If the computer is on, turn it off.
Disconnect the AC Adapter and remove the computer's battery.
Press and hold down the power button for 5 seconds and then release the button.
Reconnect the battery and AC Adapter.
Press the Power button to restart the computer.

MetaCipher

ASKER

strung, I already tried this multiple times, it didn't do anything.

One minor update. yesterday before I went to bed I recorded the current charge of the battery, 1897. Today, in the morning I looked at it again, it is 1928. It went up about 1% in 10 hours. The max charge remains the same.

strung

Have you tried running the hardware diagnostic CD that came with the computer?

strung

Also try downloading iStat Pro (free ) and see what it tells you about your battery: http://islayer.com/apps/istatpro/

MetaCipher

ASKER

strung,

I tried running the normal diagnostic, and the extended diagnostic - both did not return any errors. I also tried that Dashboard application, and it reports the battery is Healthy, 1 charge, and says "Charged" at 16%. Of course, everything else still says that the battery is not charging.

strung

I guess the question is whether the battery is in fact charged and the compute is misreporting the state of the charge, or whether the battery is not in fact charging. If you run off batteries, how long will the computer run before it shuts itself off?

strung

Have you tried running the battery completely flat before recharging?

MetaCipher

ASKER

strung,

Well, the first battery I got did get completely discharged. And then it wouldn't recharge at all. So I suspected a bad battery, and had Apple replace it. Now, this brand new battery will not charge. Comparing what the system reports with the light indicator on the battery itself confirms that the % seems accurate. I started with 2 lights at about 34%, and now am at 1 light at about 16%. I have not tried running this battery flat because the 1st battery was already run flat.

MetaCipher

ASKER

Tried something new - completely reinstalled OS-X, and then immediately went to download that Battery 1.2 update. Still doesn't work... running out of ideas...

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

strung

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strung

Have you tried the steps in these two articles:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1490

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1119

MetaCipher

ASKER

The first article doesn't apply, as I cannot calibrate the battery because it needs to be able to charge. And, the first battery was already fully depleted as said in the article. The second article also does not apply, as I don't have an X in the task bar, it shows it plugged in. And I have already tried re-seating the battery, taking it out, and resetting SMC.

MetaCipher

ASKER

One other update - I completely reinstalled OS X (having it revert to Tiger), and the battery will not charge still. Tiger does report something different though, it says "Calculating ... until full" and never changes. I installed that Battery Update 1.2, and it doesn't work either. It seems that the MacBook is probably entirely wonked. Good job Apple...

seannyc

Thought I'd chime in here to say that I have the same issue and you're not alone.

I've got 2 MacBooks, which makes testing a bit easier. Both MagSafe adapters work fine on one MacBook, charging batteries and their LEDs light up fully, the other only ever has a dim green LED on the MagSafe.
Both batteries work fine - both MacBooks can run from them, but only one MacBook will charge them.

Like you I've re-installed Leopard, installed battery updates and reset everything I can think of.

The interesting thing about my broken MacBook is that it seems to have been cobbled together from parts. This is a white MacBook with black MacBook innards.

I know the MagSafe connector has been changed, so this only leaves the battery connector or the logic board.

I know there's some sort of small chip on the battery connector (I've had the affected MacBook totally apart) so I'm hoping this is fried and thus not creating a full circuit for charging (or something).

In the mean time, if you just want to get your batteries charging - a not so pretty method is to buy FastMacs U-Charge - it's an external battery charger. It should work well, I just need to get mine replaced because it's not working properly.

I'll be purchasing a new/used battery connector to try soon and will let you know what happens.

MetaCipher

ASKER

Thanks for the info, let me know what happens. I might look into that FastMac charger.

MetaCipher

ASKER

Seannyc, did you find out anything?

seannyc

Sorry for the delay.

I've just moved house so I'm still getting bits sorted.

I sent my charger back to fastmac but haven't heard anything yet so I can't tell you whether it's a worthwhile buy or not. As for the battery connector, I'm waiting for a good deal to come up with one in the UK otherwise shipping will be nasty from the US.

MetaCipher

ASKER

Sounds good, thanks.