Is my MagSafe flaking out?

[Parasitic]

although it seems like it still charges?

Usually when that happens I would need to unplug and reconnect for the light to come back up. Is this normal or should I go to the Apple store and demand a new one? I've only had my Macbook for less than a year.

 

[alevasseur14]

Right after I bought my Macbook from a friend, I started having issues with my MagSafe adapter. My problem was a tad different than yours, however. My screen would actually dim as though the connector had been disconnected and the machine would go to battery. I took video with my camera to show the Geniuses.

Although our problems are slightly different, I'd still bet on either your adapter itself being faulty or the connection on the motherboard being bad. Either way, it's a quick fix. The Genius I talked to said it's just a couple screws to switch out the motherboard connector. Take a video with your phone or whatever and bring it with you, it really helps.

Good luck.

 

[secretanchitman]

my magsafe light sometimes dims...even if its plugged in. dunno why...

 

[rikadik]

I'm not suggesting that your problem is the same as mine, but this started happening to me a few months ago. Then it would start not charging when the light went off. Then I'd have to wiggle it around to get it to charge. Then it would take more and more wiggling to get to charge. Then I'd have to prop the cable in a careful position to make it charge. Then finally it just stopped working. On closer inspection there was exposed wiring where the rubber insulation had worn away. This process was probably over 3-6 months.

Apple wouldn't replace, so I cried a little then bought a new one.

The problem is that between the main section of cable and the MagSafe connector there is a little extra rubber sleeve. If you bend the cable around 180 degrees to go off in the opposite direction that sleeve kind of rubs on the insulation of the cable. Turns out over a year of moving my laptop around it wore away the insulation and damaged the connection. From my research I've found this is quite a common fault.

Good luck with yours!

 

[Parasitic]

Yea thanks, I guess I forgot to update this thread.

So I took my adapter down to the Apple store armed with my student purchase receipt and a video of how the thing malfunctions. The genius grabbed my adapter, tried it out on his computer and swapped me out with a brand new one right out of the box off the shelf. It was awesome, besides the previous rep being a douchebag and making me wait half an hour,

 

[Parasitic]

Originally posted by: secretanchitman
my magsafe light sometimes dims...even if its plugged in. dunno why...

Get that replaced, if it's still within warranty.

And alev: my problem was a faulty adapter. After the swap the problem never happened anymore.

BTW that $79 Apple charges for a MagSafe is ridiculous. Good thing I didn't pay for mine.