ÜberMacHead

Q: PowerBook G4 Won't Charge or Run on Battery

I've got two PowerBook G4s, both FireWire 800 models and one of them is behaving very oddly. The computer boots and runs perfectly. If the battery is discharged then the power plug shows amber and the battery indicator shows that it's charging but VERY slowly (about 1% every 15 minutes) and only to about 13% charge. At that point the battery indicator says "Battery is not charging" and the power plug shows green. Pull the power plug and the computer instantly shuts off, even though it allegedly had a partial charge.

 

I have tried:

 

  • Completely clean OS install (10.5, fully updated).
  • Reset the power manager (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1431).
  • Replaced PRAM battery with a known good unit.
  • Replaced laptop battery with a known good unit.
  • Replaced DC-IN board with a known good unit.
  • Replaced AC power adapter with a known good unit.

 

The known-good units came from my other PowrBook G4 which operates perfectly with both DC-IN boards, both PRAM batteries,  both laptop batteries, and both power adapters.

 

Before I call it quits on the motherboard, does anyone know what else could be the problem?

Posted on Apr 1, 2013 1:53 PM

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Q: PowerBook G4 Won't Charge or Run on Battery

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  • by BGreg,

    BGreg BGreg Apr 1, 2013 2:23 PM in response to ÜberMacHead
    Level 6 (17,522 points)
    Apr 1, 2013 2:23 PM in response to ÜberMacHead

    There's only 4.5 components to the charging circuit: Power adapter, DC-In card, battery, logic board, and .5 for the PRAM battery (since it can influence the power circuit).

     

    Unfortunately, there's no test for the charging components, you have to replace them until you find the offending part.  You've replaced everything but the logic board, and as long as you're satisfied that the replacement parts from you other PowerBook are good, that only leaves one choice.