User profile for user: Zel Marlin
Zel Marlin Author
User level: Level 1
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Fauty Capacitors on the iMac G5 Motherboard

I am a Computer Engineer and opened up my mac when I heard that the faulty manufactured capacitors may effect my iMac. I have 25 of the defective caps on the motherboard all of which are not showing any sign of swelling yet but I know they will sooner or later, does Apples componet replacement program cover machines that are not showing signs of swelling or the faults they are describing. Dell is replacing there motherboards before they fail as if they do fail they take out other componets on the motherboards as well as blowing hard drives etc.

iMac G5, G4, G3, Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Posted on Feb 23, 2006 1:51 PM

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17 replies
User profile for user: Dave Stowe
Dave Stowe
User level: Level 5
5,180 points

Feb 23, 2006 3:25 PM in response to Zel Marlin

Zel...My power supply smoked itself a couple months ago...my serial # falls within the affected machines >I also have AppleCare<...In speaking to a Product Specialist I mentioned that I was aware of potential problems with the mid-plane and capacitors and wondered whether it would be prudent in the long run to replace both power supply and mid-plane at the same time..he did not respond directly to me at the time...but when the computer tech showed up at my home to replace the power supply he also had a refurbished mid-plane as well...Your mileage may very

dave
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User profile for user: Eric Kracinski
Eric Kracinski
User level: Level 6
15,931 points

Feb 23, 2006 4:06 PM in response to Zel Marlin

Zel, welcome to the discussions!

Not to minimize your concerns, but saying that you have defective caps, but they just haven't swelled yet is like saying you have a flat tire, just the air hasn't come out of it yet.

They are only defective if the have swelled, burst, and or leaked.

Don't work yourself up about this. If they swell,then you have a problem. Why worry until then as Apple will take care of it for you as long as you are within the range of iMacs affected by the industry-wide capacitor problem.

Enjoy your computer.
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User profile for user: Pittsburgh Ben
Pittsburgh Ben
User level: Level 1
0 points

Feb 23, 2006 6:37 PM in response to Zel Marlin

Wow this thread was a lifesaver!
I noticed a strange oder in my room where my imac 1.8 17'' was. I couldn't believe when it shut off for good, no life whatsoever. I remember reading about "swelled" capacitors, so I undid the backpanel and there were 5 capacitor swelled, and 2 were oozing.
I bought it in dec 2004 with the standard 1 year warrenty; I was on this MB back when people first started having "buzzing, whining" problems---I was lucky not to have them.

Anyways after a call to apple I have a case# and a contact with a specialist whom I'm to call if I have any problems with the repair.

Thanks Apple!
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User profile for user: renaud2
renaud2
User level: Level 1
8 points

Feb 23, 2006 7:53 PM in response to Zel Marlin

hey guys.
My G5 was one number off of the free repair program Apple was forced to run due to problems in these computers. My power supply and logic board were replaced TWICE and Apple still does not feel that this is enough for a complete replacement. They are currently "looking" at my machine because apparently the repair guy telling them I deserved a new one was not enough for them. I have been without it for over two weeks now. 2000$ well spent.
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User profile for user: Zel Marlin
Zel Marlin Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Feb 24, 2006 1:18 PM in response to Zel Marlin

Thank you all for your comments; My iMac serial number does fall with in the range but anyone can check to see if they have the faulty/defective capacitors even if the computer isn’t playing up yet or the capacitors aren’t swollen, there are a number of capacitor manufactures effected.
The one I've have dealt with at work is nichicom, any nichicom capacitor over 1000 microfarad with it’s stress point on the top of the can as a X and a copper gold coloured band will fail in time, if they are over 1000 microfarad with a T or K on top they should be ok and yes I have the ones with crosses.
There is a number of environmental issues that effect how long they take to fail like, temperature, quality of mains power supply, whether you leave your computer running or not. At work I’ve had some computers in the field for 18 mouths 2 year and they’ve only just started to fail.
It’s more like staying I know my tire wall has a manufacturing faulty it's just it hasn’t burst yet. I’m not overly concerned myself as I will be keeping a very close eye on mine, if it is still in the warranty period or the component replacement period, currently set to 2 years (which I hope Apple will extend) then I will get Apple to replace them, if not I will replace them myself as soon as they show signs of swelling (don’t try this at home I’m a qualified computer and electronics engineer)

iMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.5) I also have an iMac G4, G3. iBook G3 and an old Performa 450
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User profile for user: cosmichobo
cosmichobo
User level: Level 3
525 points

Apr 2, 2006 5:49 PM in response to Rod Hagen

For some reason the eMac 1.25Ghz, which was built in a similar time frame as the iMac G5, has only just started showing its bad caps.

Some techs have reported seeing bad caps on this model eMac in late 2005. But the problem has really only just emerged since January this year, with now several hundred people posting on the eMac forum here, and many other unofficial sites.

My eMac's logic board had every cap swollen/leaking. Luckily (after emailing Steve) Apple Australia agreed to replace the logic board for free. Others however are struggling to convince Apple to do the same.
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User profile for user: Zel Marlin
Zel Marlin Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Apr 7, 2006 2:37 PM in response to cosmichobo

Thankyou for your addition to my posting, i am going to keep this question un-answered so people can keep posting to to this string. I love apple products so please don't get me wrong in this. I would just like Apple to be more open with it's customers like Dell has been. To update everyone my iMac G5 has now crashed about four or five times since my last post, will be checking my caps again soon and may have to contact apple for a new motherboard. I check this string every week or so and will post any further info I have , like did you know computers aren't the only thing affected, the engine management system of a well known make of car has the defective caps in it also!
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User profile for user: Macsastic
Macsastic
User level: Level 4
3,380 points

Apr 7, 2006 2:55 PM in response to Zel Marlin

I feel for you man. I had a rev. a iMac h5 also and had 5 major issues with it, including complete motherboard, and power supply replacement. In the end i had it replaced at Apple's discretion and have been happy since. There are more issues with that model than the capacitors. But I wont go there. I hope your machine gets fixed. Did you say you have one of the models in the range listed by Apple to be affected?
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User profile for user: Zel Marlin
Zel Marlin Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

May 5, 2006 4:25 PM in response to Herschel Hochman

For the flat panel iMac G5, there is three screws on the bottom of the iMac these are captive screws simple take a cross point screwdriver and unscrew them until they no longer turn. Once all three are unscrewed the back lifts off, this shouldn't void your warranty as you would have to do this to add extra memory or an apple wifi card, so as long as you are allowed by apple to add extra memory or a wifi card then you should be ok.
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User profile for user: cosmichobo
cosmichobo
User level: Level 3
525 points

May 10, 2006 2:20 AM in response to myhighway

Hi again,

Over on the eMac board we're up to 15,097 views of the main "bad cap" post, with 379 posts. There are various other posts also relating to the bad caps affecting eMac 1.25ghz machines, scattered around, some with over 1,000 views.

We however are not as lucky as the iMac G5 badcap owners... Apple are showing no sign of implimenting a repair program. It's up to the individual owner to try and wrangle a free repair however they can score it - or pay up to 80% of the cost of the machine for the new logic board/labor themselves.

As to the question on "how can you tell the cap is bad...", everything I've read indicates this particular capacitor, identified with HN(M) written on the side, with a "+" imprinted on the base, and gold & black coloring, will all potentially fail as the chemicals inside them were incorrectly balanced, and thus end up leaking/bulging etc.

Can anyone tell me how long it took from first complaints to Apple starting the repair program for the iMac?
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Fauty Capacitors on the iMac G5 Motherboard

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