MacBook charger is beginning to melt.

Update: Just called Apple Care; they refused to replace it, saying that it is the result of normal wear and tear. When asked if there is a possibility this could happen to a new adapter, they said "Not at all."

The service rep said that if I disagreed, I could take it to an Apple Store and have it evaluated. While I don't look forward to the four-hour round trip, I have always received poor service from the 800 number, and then received excellent service for the same problem at the Apple Store.

Well, I decided that I wasn't satisfied with the response I received from the 800 number so I called again. The second time I talked to a different person who was extremely nice and offered to replace the power adapter free of charge, no questions asked. It should be arriving in 3 - 5 bussiness days.

I made it clear that I had talked to another Apple Care representative earlier that day and I was not satisfied with their response. Perhaps they figured I was prepared to make a big stink, which would be more trouble than its worth. Polite persistence was definitely the key in this case. In the end, Apple came through and I can't be too unhappy.

i am now having this same problem. first my battery just goes bad about 2 months ago (fortunatly apple care covered that) and now a few days ago i noticed that my computer wouldnt charge unless i wigled the cable around every few min. and then to day i didnt notice that the insolation right where the magsafe plugs into the computer was melted un till i shocked myself. i hope apple care will cover it. i dont think i want to deal with them on the phone and fortunatly i have an apple stor close by. i hope they can give me a new charger right then and there or else im out of a computer for a while till i can get a new one.

Add me too. Cable melted just below the magnet. Waiting to see what Apple UK's response will be. I think this needs a product recall....

For what it's worth, I haven't had a problem (yet) because at the slightest sign of trouble I've used my protection plan to replace the adapter -- twice, so far. The first replacement was arranged via the 800 number, when I reported that the plastic sheath on the cord had begun splitting; the second was provided at the Apple Store. I was in fact there about another issue (regarding my girlfriend's "vintage" iBook, with its own adapter troubles) and happened to have my MacBook. I showed the Genius the adapter, whose cord had in a few sections acquired what I can only call bumps, as if it were starting to develop a bendable-straw type concertina hinge. "Weird," said the Genius, and replaced it on the spot, even though there was no evidence of practical wear or danger. So I guess I'd recommend swapping out the adapter regularly, at the first sign of irregularity.

Has anyone had success in the UK?

They refused to replace mine, but I have since discovered that European Legislation requires two year warranties in Europe ( http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/citizen/myrights/indexen.htm)

I'm going to try this on them today and see how far I get.

Adam

Yeah, this just started to happen to me this week. I am in South Korea teaching English and I purchased Apple Care before I came over here. I called the Apple 800 number for Korea. All they did was give me a ref# and told me to go to an authorized repair technician. Knowing my luck they will not speak any English and I will be stuck with a dead power supply. Anyone ever had something replaced by Apple while traveling or living abroad? Should I call back to the 800 number and demand to have it replaced or try dealing with the repair technician to try and get a replacement?

Update

Today I spoke to Consumer Direct - 08454 04 05 06 (www.consumerdirect.gov.uk) who informed me that the European legislation I referred is not relevant as consumer law in the UK is stronger.

Under the Sales of Goods Act 1979 a consumer has 6 years' rights. This is useful - http://www.berr.gov.uk/consumers/fact-sheets/page38311.html - as it describes what is regarded as reasonable life e.g. an oil filter on a car cannot be expected to last six years.

I won't repeat the whole article here, but it is worth reading, and the section on inherent fault may be applicable.

Adam

Did you get any joy from Apple?

Just phoned Apple Care UK regarding my girlfriends melting MagSafe cord and they'll replace it.

Wellll
My Macbook charger just spontaneously melted too......right at the gusset that surrounds the cable attaching it to the white plastic part with the indicator LED. I called Apple Care, which was conveniently preprogrammed into iPhone, told them it melted, they immediately transfered me to a product specialist, who acknowledged there is a problem with the gusset being to small, causing the cables at the connector to short easily. Replacing free of charge 🙂. If your nice to them, they are nice to you.

I'll give it a go. I've never not been nice to them. My dealer called them on my behalf.

Maybe I'll have more luck.

You can add me to this list as well.
I purchased my macbook during November of 2006, and there were the initial surprise of not being able to put the macbook on my legs without feeling my flesh sear, along with the intense heat radiating from my macbook charger.

but not like this.

Like many on this forum my charger is experiencing issues. First came the problem where i would plug in the magnetic side into my laptop yet it wouldn't commence charging. I would have to unplug and replug both the outlet and the magnetic side to have the light come on and for the battery to charge.

afterwards the charger would get very hot to the point of untouchable. i would have to pull out the magnetic end from the midsection of the cord instead of the square head with the light because it was beginning to melt. the wires close to that section also became exposed after the cord partially melted right next to the square section.

also after this discovery i noticed that the vague left upper section of the macbook has become even hotter than usual. i can't touch the bottom of my macbook with my fingertips. they fry.


why.


i don't know, i believe my warranty is expired but i think i shall take this to the apple store.

EVERYTHING IS MELTING.

i have had it replaced once, same thing, plastic melted and the metal wire can be seen, and there are burn marks there, i have applecare so they replaced mine. though my new one, i can see a bit distortion with the wire again... so, it might be going sometime later..... the thing is, maybe its the substandard materials or manufacturing that they are using... all of the stuff are made in china nowadays, maybe its because of the cost cutting factor...

Snowball......

Avalanche....

I guess the only fix is a replacement of both the logic board board and the DC board. That's going to cost almost as much as the computer was new!

What a shame that a simple thin wire could cause a short. When I first got my Macbook I liked the small thin wire with a magnet that charged my laptop. It really seemed a joy, so flexible, easy to use. I wish both ends of the wire had one of those magnet connectors.
Does anyone know where to get repair work done? I'm not ready to throw away a 14 month old computer. I like the screen display, the colors are great. The sound is pretty good, except that the headphone jack is sort of loose. The wireless and bluetooth are awesome. It types pretty fast too, the keyboard is nice. Mine hasn't cracked, only the moulding a bit around the edges. No big deal. I never take it out of the house anymore, since the battery won't charge. When it worked I was in heaven. People would smile at me behind the lit up logo at Sid's coffee. I regress.. I love my Apple. Really!