Battery does not charge

Question

Battery does not charge

Hello

I have just bought a Powerbook G4 (2 days old). Unfortunately the battery
does not charge.

It remains on 0% charge irrespective of the amount of time the Power Adapter is plugged in. The Time remaining seems to decrease for a while then increases again.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to troubleshoot this? Seems to be a dead battery - looking at the postings it seems Apple have major issues with their batteries

Thanks for any feedback

Powerbook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Posted on Nov 19, 2005 3:46 PM

Reply

Answer 1

joeuu

Level 5

5,089 points

Nov 19, 2005 4:17 PM in response to bertie bassett

Hi bertie, Welcome to Apple discussions!

I would ask what color is the indicating ring around the plug where it enters the Powerbook while this is going on? Should be Green or Amber. Not lit would mean it's not working.

Did you calibrate the battery before use?

Joe

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Answer 2

PDE

Level 1

85 points

Nov 19, 2005 4:25 PM in response to bertie bassett

Unfortunately, this seems to be an issue with the new powerbook G4s and their batteries. Return it or call Apple - they will send you a new battery. Good luck!

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Answer 3

Nov 20, 2005 12:03 PM in response to bertie bassett

Thanks for the responses

Looking through the postings it seems that this is a common problem namely:

The Power Adapter Light is always Green
The battery does not charge - Always 0%

The System Profiler shows the following:

Battery Information:

Battery Installed: Yes
First low level warning: No
Full Charge Capacity (mAh): 4627
Remaining Capacity (mAh): 6
Amperage (mA): 31
Voltage (mV): 3960
Cycle Count: 1

AC Charger Information:

AC Charger (Watts): 65
Connected: Yes
Charging: Yes

ie The Remaining Capacity is only 6mAh after many hours/days of charging

If I unplug the adapter the machine shuts down and the clock resets!

Have tried a Power Management Reset - No difference

I reckon I have a dud battery - Seems to be a common problem on the 15" G4
judging from the forum

Very disappointing given this is my first apple (only a few days old)

Cheers

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Answer 4

Nov 20, 2005 10:33 PM in response to bertie bassett

Hi Bertie~
well im sad to hear your story...
but if u just bought it.. take it to Apple... they'll surely help u.. it's under warranty... isnt it?
and please... give it chance to 'surprise' you once u get a 'good piece' of batt...

u know? i 'switched' 3 years ago...
i used to 'love Windows'.... but one day i told myself: 'let's try that cute Apple PowerBook' and ever since this didnt let me down....

i just adore it...
both Hardware/Software is Much better than PC.....
i would Never go back to PC.....
indeed, i have this 3 yr old PowerBook 15 1Ghz 1GB Ram... but i wish i could buy the New one~!
so...
take a deep breath and give it a chance....

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Answer 5

Nov 20, 2005 11:10 PM in response to Sungyub Han

I too bought a PB 2 days ago and it would do the same thing. Apperantly, the battery would not hold a charge or even light up when the battery meter was pressed in the back. The power adapter would stay always green. I returned to the apple store to have them replace the battery with a new one from a retail box. The part number is M9756G/A and the problem solved. If your powerbook starts with a manufacturing serial number starting with W8541 that is the problem.

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Answer 6

Nov 22, 2005 2:54 AM in response to bertie bassett

Thanks again for the feedback

My 15" PB G4 does have a serial number beginning: W8541 so it seems to be a common problem

I would have taken it back to the Apple store but that would mean getting on a plane back to US!

Applecare are sending me another battery

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Answer 7

Nov 23, 2005 3:25 AM in response to bertie bassett

My Powerbook has the same problem. It worked just fine for about two weeks and then... My battery now has only 376 mAh capacity left, after just 13 loadcycles. Apple Italy just sent me another battery (I'm still waiting for it actually). Anyway, they told me it's a very common issue with this new model. My part number is W8542.....
I'm disappointed too. It's not my first Mac, but the first portable one. I have been dreaming of a Powerbook for a long time and now my first PB has such a problem...

cheers

Andrea

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Answer 8

eddyrox

Level 1

0 points

Nov 24, 2005 9:11 AM in response to Carlos Fonseca

Regarding the serial numbers, I'm on Powerbook #2 (in literally 2 weeks) and both serial numbers were W8540. So the problem's clearly existent on lower numbers.
Did a new battery solve everyone's charging issues (for the most part)?
thanks.
mike.

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Answer 9

Nov 26, 2005 10:28 AM in response to bertie bassett

I installed a 15" on Friday for a client, and the battery was dead as a dodo !

I had to give them my battery from my machine to keep them happy.

Now I have the dud battery, but will be sending it back this week for replacement.

Not very impressive. How are these leaving the factory with ZILTCH charge in them.

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Answer 10

Nov 27, 2005 10:28 AM in response to bertie bassett

just a quick question on battery replacement by Apple:

would they require you to send the defective one first before they ship you a new one? or do they ship first before you return? thanks in advance.

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Answer 11

eddyrox

Level 1

0 points

Nov 28, 2005 6:53 PM in response to Jim Patrick Orbe

I was told that I need to wait until the new battery arrives and then return the old battery. The ISSUE is that Apple told me today that the new replacement batteries for the 15" PB (aluminum) WILL NOT be available until December 6th. ***??!?!?!?! Yeah, that was my response. Good Luck....and get a case and dispatch number to ensure that you're "in line".
mike.

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Answer 12

Nov 29, 2005 6:37 AM in response to eddyrox

The ISSUE is
that Apple told me today that the new replacement
batteries for the 15" PB (aluminum) WILL NOT be
available until December 6th. ***??!?!?!?! Yeah, that
was my response. Good Luck....and get a case and
dispatch number to ensure that you're "in line".
mike.

i wonder if that's the same case here in the Philippines. i hope not, i hope it'd be earlier. keeping fingers crossed...

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Answer 13

Alwyn

Level 1

0 points

Nov 29, 2005 9:06 PM in response to Jim Patrick Orbe

Hi JP Orbe,

I'm also in the Philippines, but didn't buy my notebook here.

Could you send me information as to how you contacted Applecare?

Having same problem...

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Answer 14

Nov 30, 2005 6:14 AM in response to Alwyn

just dial their toll free number from any PLDT landline with direct dialing access:

1800-7666-7666

HTH

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Answer 15

Dec 9, 2005 7:20 AM in response to eddyrox

got my new replacement batt already and i'm happy with its performance so far. i'm getting around 4-5 hours of juice on a single charge.

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