Appleboy45

Q: Light on MagSafe Connector Will Turn off and then Turn Back on when you wiggle the cable.

I got a 2010 MacBook and I got a 60w MagSafe charger. It's an older one that would have came with previous MacBooks so it's the T and not the original L. But it is an Apple branded charger. When I bought the MacBook, it came with a extension that seem to came with older products as the plug that plugs into the wall isn't rounded and it says Volex by the prongs. But I did buy a US adapter for when I don't need it. Anyway, I have a problem where if the cable were to be moved around when it's plugged in to my MacBook, the light might turn off. It appears to charge when the light is off. But if the light turns off within the first few seconds of being plugged in, it won't charge until the light comes back on and it starts charging the computer. I also did clean the MagSafe charging port with a toothbrush. Could this be because this is an older MagSafe adapter and that my MacBook needs the L shaped one it came with when it was new?

MacBook, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5), Polycarbonate, 4GBs of RAM, 250GB

Posted on Jun 29, 2016 8:46 AM

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Q: Light on MagSafe Connector Will Turn off and then Turn Back on when you wiggle the cable.

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  • by becky_s22,

    becky_s22 becky_s22 Jun 30, 2016 9:29 AM in response to Appleboy45
    Community Specialists
    Jun 30, 2016 9:29 AM in response to Appleboy45

    Hello Appleboy45, 

     

    Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

     

    I see that when charging your MacBook, if the 60W MagSafe power adapter with "T" style connector is moved, the light will turn off. I know how important it is to make sure that you are using the correct power adapter for your MacBook and there are no issues. 

     

    Check out the article Find the right power adapter and cord for your Mac notebook, specifically, these sections:

     

    MagSafe "L" and "T" shaped adapters 

                                                  
    Computers that use the 60W MagSafe AdapterAdapter type
      
         
    • MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009)
    •    
    • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2.53GHz, Mid 2009)
    •    
    • MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009)
    •    
    • MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009)
    •    
    • MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008)
    •    
    • MacBook (13-inch, Late 2008)
    •    
    • MacBook (13-inch, Early 2008)
    •    
    • MacBook (13-inch, Late 2007)
    •    
    • MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2007)
    •    
    • MacBook (13-inch, Late 2006) 
    •    
    • MacBook (13-inch)
    •   
       

     

       

     

       

     

      
      

       

    60W MagSafe power adapter with "T" style connector

      
      
         
    • MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)
    •    
    • MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2011)
    •    
    • MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011)
    •    
    • MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010)
    •    
    • MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2010)
    •    
    • MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009)
    •   
      
      

       

    60W MagSafe power adapter with "L" style connector

      

     

    Learn more

    You can get extra or replacement adapters with AC cord and plug at the Apple Online Store (links below), an Apple Reseller, or an Apple Store.

    A replacement adapter may not be the same size, color, shape, or wattage as the original adapter that came with your computer. It should however power and charge your Mac like the adapter that originally came with your computer. 

    If you need help using your MagSafe adapter issue, see Apple Portables: Troubleshooting power adapters.

    If you're looking for a PowerPC-based power adapter, see PowerPC-based Apple Portables: Identifying the right power adapter and power cord.

     

     

    You are correct, the power adapter that was originally included with your 2010 MacBook is the "L" style connector. Your computer can use the "T" style power adapter, but it is possible the light turning off is because it isn't the original power adapter that was included with your MacBook. 

     

    Cheers! 

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Jun 30, 2016 9:40 AM in response to Appleboy45
    Level 9 (53,622 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 30, 2016 9:40 AM in response to Appleboy45

    I find a similar situation with one of the two chargers I was given with a hand-me-down late 2008 MacBook.  I currently use the T charger but it is not unusual for the charging light to not remain illuminated although I have it plugged in all the time (I use my MacBook in clamshell desktop mode) and it is supplying power 24/7.  I suspect there is just something about a wire coming loose in those models.  I was also given a L charger which works fine all the time even though it is for a newer model computer, but I just leave the T charger attached and keep my eye on the battery charge indicator to make sure it is really charging.