Mag Safe power cord sparks when connected or disconnected--whereupon the MacBook Pro 13'' dumps date and time, and all passwords, plus any/all unsaved information.

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Mag Safe power cord sparks when connected or disconnected--whereupon the MacBook Pro 13'' dumps date and time, and all passwords, plus any/all unsaved information.

I purchased my MacBook Pro 13" from the Apple Store in Tucson, AZ, in mid-January. Since then, every time the Mag-Safe cord is jostled, not even disconnected, sparks fly from the power terminal on the computer, the computer shuts down, and dumps its passwords, as well as the date and time.

Any work in progress is also lost.

I work overseas, and Apple's advice was to give them my credit card number, await shipment of a new power supply and cord, and then, when I return the old power supply and cord, i'd receive a credit. That won't work, as packages from the US to my location take weeks if they arrive at all. There is no Apple Store within a reasonable distance. Or, Apple suggests, when I'm home on leave in mid-June, I should bring the computer to the Apple Store for repair--I have only days in which to do that, but I suppose I'll need to try. My concern is that I'll need to return overseas without my computer and won't be able to retrieve it for months, until my next leave.

This issue shows up elsewhere online. Is there a short in the power terminal in the computer, or on the Mag-Safe power cord, or within the computer itself? It's a known issue, thus I wonder why it hasn't been fixed.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.7), sparking, short cicuit, dumping

Posted on Jun 6, 2011 8:19 AM

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Answer 1

Poikkeus

Level 4

2,786 points

Jun 6, 2011 10:59 AM in response to iabrams3985

Power issues are of particular import, since personal safety is at stake. However, it seems that your options are limited by the fact that you work overseas.

Since you're destined to have an appointment with the Apple Store, make sure you've documented the problem. The situation will gain gravity if you come with textual or log reports of the situation, and even video. The support staff need to be able to repeat the issue.

In the meantime, see if you can use your MBP mainly from the battery, or from a grounded (three-prong) power outlet. At least, that will reduce or eliminate the danger for the time being. And do report back here with your results.

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Answer 2

iabrams3985 Author

Level 1

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Jun 7, 2011 5:28 AM in response to iabrams3985

It's easy to log what occurs--it happens each and every time the power cord is touched with anything more than a feather-like whisper. This morning, at work, I left my desk for two minutes. When I returned, I found my computer shut down, the power cord LED not glowing. My colleague had reached across my desk to access a piece of paper and had brushed the mag "safe" cord; the result was a kaput computer, dumping of the date/time, disconnection from the wireless network and dumping of passwords. Typical, and daily.

Ivan Abrams

you have my private email--why not contact me?

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Answer 3

Jun 7, 2011 5:23 AM in response to iabrams3985

I think you don't understand that you are not speaking with Apple here. We are other users, just like yourself.

You could try calling Apple with this serious problem.

(None of we users here have your personal e-mail address since you have chosen to have it hidden in your Profile.)

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Answer 4

iabrams3985 Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 7, 2011 5:34 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

Thanks, now I do understand. I'm very frustrated, Apple's responses have been unrealistic. For years, I used Macs in my office, but when I went overseas bought a PC thinking it would be easier to keep updated and in repair. Turned out there were lots of Macs out here, so I bought one when I was home--only to find it's a sparking monster! With all the mention of this problem in various forums, you'd think Aplle would pay better attention.

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Answer 5

Jun 7, 2011 5:37 AM in response to iabrams3985

You've seen this problem mentioned elsewhere?

Do you have links?

This is the first I've heard of it (but I'm fairly new to the MacBook Pro, having bought my first one in March).

You've already contacted Apple and they have not been responsive to this serious issue? You say their responses "have been unrealistic." What exactly did they say?

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Answer 6

iabrams3985 Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 7, 2011 5:50 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

Google "sparking mag safe" and/or "Mac dumps info when Mag Safe is disconnected". I've talked to AppleCare people 2x, both weren't very helpful. Told me to provide a credit card number and they'd send a new MagSafe. But packages don't get delivered where I am--not their fault, of course. What is their fault is a misdiagnosis, I think--the computer shouldn't react by dumping info if the metal case is properly insulated from the components inside. I'm seeing the Apple Store people from whom I bought the unit, in less than a week when I'm on leave at home. But with only two days in that community--most of my family lives elsewhere, I have no idea if I'll be able to have the situation resolved.

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Answer 7

Jun 7, 2011 5:58 AM in response to iabrams3985

I would suggest that you call ahead right now to make an appointment at the Apple Store and tell them exactly what is happening.

If possible, I wouldn't use the MacBook Pro at all, for your own safety.

By the way, a Google search on "sparking magsafe" does not return a lot of results.

While new to the MacBook Pro, I've been using a MagSafe adapter with MacBooks for several years.

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Answer 8

iabrams3985 Author

Level 1

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Jun 7, 2011 5:57 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

I have an appointment for Sunday, June 12, at 2:30 PM, and have written in the "comments" box a summary of the issue. I'll hope for the best. Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

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Answer 9

iabrams3985 Author

Level 1

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Jun 7, 2011 5:57 AM in response to iabrams3985

Try "sparking apple MagSafe" and you should find lots of links; I did, moments ago...

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Answer 10

Jun 7, 2011 6:06 AM in response to iabrams3985

"sparking apple MagSafe" gives me no results whatsoever.

That is a hyperlink. Click on it, and you can see for yourself.

Not only that, when I did the other search, at least one of the results was not your issue at all.

http://macbookspareparts.com/sparking-magsafe-charger-damage/

This person plugged the MagSafe into the MacBook Pro before plugging it into the wall socket, and it sparked at the wall socket.

I haven't read all of the results, but there are not very many, and at least this one is not what you are experiencing.

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Answer 11

iabrams3985 Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 7, 2011 6:04 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

Odd, but here's a copy of Page 1 of the links I got:

Apple Portables: Troubleshooting MagSafe adapters
26 May 2011 ... If the spark comes from somewhere other than the blades of the plug, .... Apple Portables: Reducing cable strain on your MagSafe power ...
support.apple.com › Support - Cached
Apple - Support - Discussions - Magsafe sparked when plugging into ...

2 posts - 2 authors - Last post: 22 FebI plugged my magsafe adapter into my macbook pro (mid 2010 model i think ...
discussions.apple.com › ... › Power and Batteries on a MacBook Pro - Cached
Mag Safe power cord sparks when...: Apple Support Communities
6 Jun 2011 ... Mag Safe power cord sparks when connected or disconnected ...
https://discussions.apple.com/message/15350172
Show more results from apple.com
Apple power brick sparks lawsuit • The Register
- 4:52am
6 May 2009 ... Apple power brick sparks lawsuit ... Apple, for its part, made the MagSafe one of the featured, um, features of the MacBook Pro when it ...
www.theregister.co.uk/2009/05/06/apple_magsafe_lawsuit/ - Cached - Similar
My MagSafe sparks everytime - Philippine Mac Users Group

10 posts - 6 authors - Last post: 31 Mar 2008Guys, I seem to have a problem, well you see my MagSafe sparks everytime I plug it into a power source. I'm experiencing this problem at ...
www.philmug.ph › ... › Mobile Macs › Archives - Cached - Similar
@apple MagSafe failure sparking all over the place, not recalled ...
1 Jan 2011 ... ryanol: @apple MagSafe failure sparking all over the place, not recalled? Not repairable 79 bucks later #applefail another design fail for ...
constantlycomplaining.com/.../@apple-magsafe-failure-sparking-all-over-place,-not-recalled%3F-not-repairable-79-bucks-later- - Cached
Great Northern Insurance Company sues Apple over fire-causing MagSafe
2 Dec 2010 ... Over the past few years, Apple has been on the receiving end of more ... indicating that Apple's MagSafe adapters were prone to sparking and ...
www.edibleapple.com/great-northern-insurance-company-sues-apple-over-fire-causing-magsafe-adapter/ - Cached
Amazon.com: Apple MagSafe 60W Power Adapter for MacBook MA538LL/A ...
Genuine Apple 60W MagSafe Power Adapter for MacBook A1184 · 3.9 out of 5 stars (11) .... like it was burning.. the covering on the cord melted off.. sparked ...
www.amazon.com › ... › Laptop Battery Chargers - Cached - Similar
Insurance company claims Apple's 'dangerous' MagSafe started fire ...

40 posts - 29 authors - Last post: 30 Nov 2010A newly filed lawsuit claims that Apple's MagSafe charger, ... Apple to heating, burning and sparking problems with its MagSafe adapters," ...
forums.appleinsider.com › Future Apple Hardware - Cached
Spark it up!!! "Apple announces Magsafe out of warranty ...

3 posts - 3 authors - Last post: 19 Aug 2008Info.: "This one concerns faulty Magsafe power adaptors that shipped with MacBook (13-inch Late 2006), MacBook (13-inch), ...
forums.macresource.com/read.php?1,546534,546743 - Cached

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Answer 12

Jun 7, 2011 6:13 AM in response to iabrams3985

Have you actually read those links?

#1 is an Apple Support article.

#2 and #3 are links to Discussions on this site.

As I understand your complaint, the sparks are coming from your power port. That is not the same thing as what these links are describing.

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Answer 13

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Jun 7, 2011 6:20 AM in response to iabrams3985

iabrams: The great majority of posts about sparking MagSafe connectors are the products of excessive wear-and-tear on the DC cord caused by users disconnecting their MagSafe adapters incorrectly — pulling on the cord, instead of grasping the plug and tipping it up or down until contact is broken. (See the user guide that came with the MBP for the proper method.) This practice eventually causes deformation, fraying and shorting within the cable, and when sparking occurs, it burns the insulation visibly.

If your cord is not deformed or burned, your problem is different. It may involve a small bit of magnetic debris that has been attracted by the magnetic port and is shorting across two or more of the contacts. Inspect both sides of the connection very carefully (with a magnifying glass, if available) for any foreign matter. Or it may be that your plug or the port on the computer is malformed: a clear manufacturing defect. But if it hasn't always misbehaved, the likelihood that a manufacturing defect is responsible is small. A third possibility is that one of the spring-loaded pins in the plug has been damaged and is making contact where it shouldn't.

But my suspicion is that if merely jostling the cable slightly causes the symptoms you describe, the cable itself has been damaged — bent too sharply too many times, pulled too hard, or crushed — and there's an intermittent short inside it. If that's the case, of course the problem is confined to the adapter, and replacing it will be the remedy. You say there are a number of Macs in use where you are. Can you borrow another MagSafe adapter to test with, in hopes of narrowing down the range of possible culprits?

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Answer 14

Jun 7, 2011 6:22 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

The lawsuit article is over two years old and states:

normal use of the adapter results in dangerous damage to its cord where it attaches to the magnetic plug

Again, this doesn't seem to be related to what you are experiencing.

I'm not going to read any further. The problem seems to be with your computer, not the adapter.

I would advise calming down and not going into an Apple Store threatening lawsuits and so forth. As Mom always used to tell me, "You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar." An attitude of sad disappointment will get you further than hostile threats.

Good luck.

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Answer 15

iabrams3985 Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 7, 2011 6:29 AM in response to Ronda Wilson

Agree entirely. I will be sad and concerned, as I truly am. As to the links, I've read many of the ones that an extended search generates--moving from one to the other, and including those I just sent to you. The cord issue is indeed relevant, as I suspect that there are two parallel issues--one is that the design of the cord allows it to disintegrate and that causes a short circuit which manifests itself by sparking at the metal connector; and the second is a faulty design or assembly, or deterioration of insulation, inside the computer. I may not be right, but neither is my computer and accessories. I began writing, in a very respectful and conciliatory tone, within a week after I purchased the computer. I spoke to the Apple care people then, and a month or so later. By now, I've lost so much time resetting the computer, lost work even though I save constantly, that I'm frustrated. As to the lawsuit that was filed by someone else being two years old, if the defect is that old and not fixed, it's just as if it's brand-new.

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