Replacing Faulty DC-In Board

Mon problème

The Magsafe was displaying a permanent green light and the all the battery indicators LED's were flashing 5 times which indicates the battery needs replacing. That didn't explain why I couldn't get power from the Magsafe so I suspected the DC-in board. I had a spare part from a 13" MBPro that I knew was OK so I thought I'd try and swap it out. I had nothing to lose. They looked identical and had for most parts the same markings and circuitry pattern. I was familiar with the

Ma solution

The swap out was par for the course. I've done this many times before yet the feeling of anticipation that wells up from the loins to the brain as you near the last steps never diminishes. So eager was I to to click those Magsafe magnets together, I drove exactly one T6 machine screw in before I could wait no more.

Click! Wait for it! Green light... as expected. Press power in for 3 seconds. Let go and..... nothing!!

Battery disconnected. Check! Connect battery. No change to Magsafe LED status - still static green. Check Battery Indicator LED's.... still same - all LED's flash together 5 times.

Okay - what next? The MacBook lies upside down and ajar like a little roof top. I stare at my open 15" case pleading with it's dual fans to suddenly kick in. I begin to flirt with the notion of reaching into that little attic for the power button and before I know it my left hand has reached in to do just. I press and hold the power button in and "%#*@ it! If those fans won't turn by themselves I'm gonna huff and I'll puff and I'll blow those fans round!"

WHAT THE...!!! I didn't even get half my breath out when suddenly things are whirring and beeping at me. I find it hard to contain my excitement. I'm not sure what to do so. Do I turn it off? Do I chance reconnecting the battery? One thing for sure is that that the Magsafe sits precariously in its little cradle and any sudden move will render this little princess asleep again.

I have no choice, I have to chance it to see if it happens again. besides, it hasn't even got a hard drive installed.

Well friends, I'm happy to say that at least for now, while the Magsafe is connected, she is booting up each time as expected and I just need to order myself a new battery.

Mon conseil

One thing that possibly made all the difference was the removal of dust and fluff. There seemed to be a lot of build up around the fans and it may have caused it to overheat. I have a little mini vacuum with its own little dust bag. Not very strong suction though but it's tip is a little brush and at least the dust is going backwards unlike those cans of compressed air that blow the dust away only to have it settle somewhere else.