iBook G4 12" A1133 Not Powering Up/Power not Getting to PMU?

Question

Level 1

0 points

iBook G4 12" A1133 Not Powering Up/Power not Getting to PMU?

Hi, I've inherited an iBook G4 12". Model A1133. It came with a partially charged battery and a known power issue. Initially with the battery partially charged (on another iBook), the machine turned on ok. The battery was not charging, according to the About this Mac and the Coconut Battery application, although the light on the AC adaptor was amber. As the battery became flat, the iBook was no longer able to be turned on.

I have reset PMU, PRAM, Opened the Firmware and reset the NVRAM, reseated the battery and tried a host of things suggested on this forum and others to no avail.

I have also replaced the DC-in board (no difference, so put the old one back in) and tried a different power adaptor.

The battery is as flat as a tack (now occasionally flashing one light when button is pressed) and now there is no chime, fan noise except for an occasional sound which sounds like the hard drive starting then stopping (very faint sound though) when I try to power up the iBook.

I was hoping to get an external battery charger to charge the battery as I don't have a spare charged one nor access to a similar working iBook. I live in Australia and have been unable to find one online here.

The other thing I have heard on two forums, is that this iBook doesn't have a PRAM battery and therefore cannot start without a powered battery in place. If this is the case, then the issue may be that of just the power not being delivered to the PMU?

At wits end. Any advise gratefully accepted.

Marina

iBook G4 12" A1133, Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Posted on Jan 5, 2010 4:41 PM

Reply

Answer 1

spudnuty

Level 5

7,128 points

Jan 5, 2010 6:40 PM in response to smooth_duo

Marina,

.. nor access to a similar working iBook.

Any of the chargers for a G3/G4 iBook or for a G4 Powerbook would also work.
In reading through your post I'm suspicious of the power supply.

..I have heard...that this iBook doesn't have a PRAM battery and therefore cannot start without a powered battery in place.

What the iBooks do have is a .22 Farad super capacitor in place of a battery. This will hold settings for around 30 seconds when you change batteries.
My feeling is that the initial current drain requires you to have a charged battery in place before the iBook will start.
I'm betting on the charger being bad.
There is an off chance that that super capacitor has blown up and I've seen that happen but it shouldn't affect start up.
Richard

Reply

Answer 2

smooth_duo Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 5, 2010 7:22 PM in response to spudnuty

Hi Richard,

Thanks for the suggestions.

I have a charger for my Powerbook G4 (same kind). I have been swapping them around to no avail. What I have noticed a short time ago, is that the AC light is green when the battery is removed and orange when it's in place. However it does not charge. Does this mean the power is getting through the system to the battery?

Richard - in talking about the .22 Farad super capacitor in place of a battery (you mean PRAM battery?). Should the iBook work if the regular lithium ion battery was removed (charged or not?)

Regards,
Marina

Reply

Answer 3

spudnuty

Level 5

7,128 points

Jan 5, 2010 9:15 PM in response to smooth_duo

Marina,

.. charger for my Powerbook G4 (same kind). I have been swapping them around to no avail.

OK that kills the charger theory.

What I have noticed a short time ago, is that the AC light is green when the battery is removed and orange when it's in place.

So that's normal.

However it does not charge. Does this mean the power is getting through the system to the battery?

Is this is how you reset PMU?
"For iBook (16 VRAM) and later models of iBook, there is no physical reset button.
1. If the computer is on, turn it off.
2. Reset the power manager by simultaneously pressing and then releasing Shift-Control-Option-Power on the keyboard. Do not press the fn (Function) key while using this combination of keystrokes.
3. Wait 5 seconds.
4. Press the Power button to restart the iBook computer. "

in talking about the .22 Farad super capacitor in place of a battery (you mean PRAM battery?). Should the iBook work if the regular lithium ion battery was removed (charged or not?)

Well as I've noted sometimes they won't start without a charged battery in place. The super capacitor is not powerful enough to start the computer. It's only function is to supply power in instances where you're on battery power and need to swap batteries.
The next thing to look at is the contacts on the battery and in the battery case. Is the battery seated? So when you plug the power supply in does the battery state indicator change up on the top of the screen by the speaker symbol? Does it change from the battery symbol to the charger symbol?
If that happens it has to be the battery or the battery interconnect board.
Is the battery serial # one of these?
https://support.apple.com/ibook_powerbook/batteryexchange/main?id=qp
Richard

Reply

Answer 4

smooth_duo Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 5, 2010 9:24 PM in response to spudnuty

Hi Richard,

How you describe the PMU reset, is how I have done it.

At the moment I can't view the screen as the iBook won't power up. However, when it did before on short battery power, from memory it gave the battery symbol when connected to the AC.

I was hoping my battery was a recall one - but it's serial number is "6C6085V0S9ZD".

The battery seems to seat well as the AC changes from green to amber one in place.

Regards,
Marina.

Reply

Answer 5

spudnuty

Level 5

7,128 points

Jan 5, 2010 11:47 PM in response to smooth_duo

Hey Marina,
OK I'm figuring that this is a 1.2GHz 12" iBook ( on a label under the keyboard ).
Here's the trouble shooting guide from the Service Source for that machine:
"The computer runs with battery, but not with the power adapter plugged into
wall outlet
1. Try known-good power outlet.
2. Try known-good power adapter and power cord.
3. Reset the power manager by pressing the key combination Control-Option-Shiftpower.
Warning: Make sure you do not hold down the "fn" key when resetting the
power manager.

Warning: Resetting the power manager means you will also need to reset the
date and time (using the Date & Time control panel).
4. Replace the DC board.
5. Replace the logic board."

So if the iBook does not recognize that the power adapter is plugged in the fault would be in the internal cabling, sockets or PMU itself.
An odd thing about the iBook is that the keyboard and trackpad are run via the PMU actually the PMU-99.
http://everything2.com/title/PMU99

Here's what that super capacitor looks like:
http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll306/spudnuty/?action=view&current=SuperCapi Book.jpg&newest=1
I have seen these blowed up but usually in the G3 iBooks but that's still possible and might affect the PMU adversely in the way we're seeing.
Since you seem pretty adept:

"I have also replaced the DC-in board (no difference, so put the old one back in) and tried a different power adaptor."

You might want to open the iBook up further to investigate.
Email me (click on "spudnuty") and I can walk you through the procedure.
Richard

Reply