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Q: Macbook Air 2013. El Capitan. New cord. Getting an intermittent charge. Is 're-setting the SMC' the only route? (Battery is 'normal')

Macbook Air 2013. El Capitan. New cord. Getting an intermittent charge. Is 're-setting the SMC' the only route? (Battery is 'normal')

Posted on May 19, 2016 9:48 AM

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Q: Macbook Air 2013. El Capitan. New cord. Getting an intermittent charge. Is 're-setting the SMC' the only route? (Battery is 'norma ... more

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  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer May 19, 2016 10:43 AM in response to echorock
    Level 6 (14,279 points)
    Desktops
    May 19, 2016 10:43 AM in response to echorock

    If you haven't checked the connectors in the MagSafe adapter, and cleaned them, that

    is a place to consider looking into. Also, the connectors can be damaged due to wear

    or physical impact from improper storage or transport in a computer bag w/o protection.

     

    • Apple Portables: Troubleshooting MagSafe adapters - Apple Support

     

    • Apple AC Adapter repair - iFixit: (shows MagSafe)

    https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Apple_AC_Adapter

     

    There is a secondary part that if damaged or worn, would require a service repair to replace.

    The DC-in Board, in the computer, is a service repair item. AKA 'magsafe board' etc.

     

     

    You may see reference to the circuit board within the MacBook Air, in a repair guide. These

    may also include additional circuitry for other power-related items -- all in one part.

     

    An example:

    MacBook Air 11" (Mid 2012) I/O Board ($99) ifixit:

    This assembly includes the MagSafe 2 power, USB, and audio port.

     

    • MacBook Air repair guides (11-inch + 13-inch models)

    https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Air

     

    Good luck in this matter!

  • by echorock,

    echorock echorock May 20, 2016 1:51 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    May 20, 2016 1:51 PM in response to K Shaffer

    Thank you for this information. I appreciate it.  One more question - aside from your suggestions, do you think the SMC thing is something I should try early in the process?

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer May 20, 2016 2:29 PM in response to echorock
    Level 6 (14,279 points)
    Desktops
    May 20, 2016 2:29 PM in response to echorock

    As a matter of troubleshooting, anything you can do to discover what may be

    the cause or a problem when it also could resolve the symptoms (& cause)

    is worth considering. I've on occasion re-set these items, sometimes as part

    of testing my equipment after power-outages or other changes in hardware.

     

    In the SMC information instruction page, the issue and process suggests to

    try some other things first. Some of those one may have already done if you

    are reading the Support page from the subject computer. If the problems or

    symptoms can be resolved without resetting the SMC (or PRAM, etc) then

    you should not need to reset the system management controller.

     

    The SMC is a power management controller, various models of Apple Mac

    computers, desktop and portable, have used different reset devices. Here is

    a brief overview of the power management reset history:

    http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/resetpmchip.html#Anchor-Types-49575

     

    With the portables, details on how to perform these resets have changed

    over time as the build models have different technologies. Such as those

    with a battery that does not readily come out, the SMC reset has changed

    compared to those where the battery or a lead to it, can be disconnected.

     

    Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

     

    If the battery is nonremovable

    1. Shut down the Mac.
    2. Plug in the MagSafe or USB-C power adapter to a power source and to your Mac.
    3. Using the built-in keyboard, press Shift-Control-Option on the left side of the keyboard, then press the power button at the same time.
    4. Release all keys, then press the power button again to turn on your Mac

     

    If the battery is removable

    1. Shut down the Mac.
    2. Disconnect the MagSafe power adapter from the Mac.
    3. Remove the battery. (Learn about removing the battery in MacBook and MacBook Pro computers.)
    4. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
    5. Reconnect the battery and MagSafe power adapter.
    6. Press the power button to turn on the Mac.

     

    The LED on MagSafe power adapters might change states or temporarily turn off when you reset the SMC.

     

    About Mac notebook batteries - Apple Support

     

    See note about NVRAM

    How to Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

     

    Good luck & happy computing!