MagSafe Charger gone mad

jujumushu

Hiya, having a serious problem with my magsafe charger at the moment. (L-shaped model) Was wondering if anyone could help with identifying the problem.

Plugged it in one day and for some reason it wasn't working. Tried it in every part of the extension lead and nothing. Tried it in another, still nothing. (These were all working properly as I checked them out my plugging in other things first to make sure.) Plugged it into a heavy duty outdoor extension lead and suddenly it was working. I have no idea what's going on. Now it's started to work when it feels like it.

It has also started to make a crackling noise when I remove the charger from the MBP and there is also nothing visibly wrong with the charger or the pins.

It is in warranty but the delivery time for a replacement was over a month the last time I checked. Is there anything that can be done?

mathepac

Sounds to me like you have frayed wires in the mickey mouse lead from the "brick" to the MagSafe connector itself.

Do you get any orange / red/ green lights on the connector itself when it's plugged in?

If the wires are frayed inside the lead I can't see any option other than to replace the unit from "brick" to the connector.

jujumushu

Aww crap...I was really hoping it was the other end because I have a spare one in my old house (the pins went in the laptop end)

Well when it's not working the light isn't on at all.
But then suddenly it just decides to work and I have red lights, green lights the lot

Is there any way Apple would refund the money if I was to buy a replacement myself? I really don't want to have to put up with this for a month.

whiterebel

laura-can wrote: »

Aww crap...I was really hoping it was the other end because I have a spare one in my old house (the pins went in the laptop end)

Well when it's not working the light isn't on at all.
But then suddenly it just decides to work and I have red lights, green lights the lot

Is there any way Apple would refund the money if I was to buy a replacement myself? I really don't want to have to put up with this for a month.

No, its not something that they do.

Padgeman

If it's starting to crackle when you plug it in you definitely shouldn't use it anymore. I was in a similar situation recently, and I phoned Apple up to whinge a bit, and they sent me a new charger for free. Could be worth a try.

Dublinstiofán

Sometimes the repair centres like Typetec and Mactivate carry spare chargers and will replace (within warranty) over the counter if they can be proven to be faulty. Might be worth ringing Apple first to see what they say.

Mactivate:
U13 Northwest Centre Northwest Business Park Blanchardstown Dublin 15 (D15) (North West Dublin), Blanchardstown Dublin, Co. Dublin
01 822 4488

Typetec:
Calmount Avenue Dublin 12, Co. Dublin
01 500 9000

jujumushu

Thanks so much guys I'll let you know how I get on!

jujumushu

Update: Borrowed someone elses charger - it's working fine. Also notice that the cable is turning around at the laptop connection and I can hear a clicking noise, sounds very much like the wires are screwed.

Rang apple today and they are going to replace both the T-shaped original charger and the L-shaped one. Obv. this is great as the T-shaped one is much sturdier and lasted me 2 years before the pins breaking. All I have to do is reture both of the chargers and it is covered in the Apple Care package. Best news is it will be here in 24-48 hours (from 1pm today that is)

Thanks for your help guys

Groinshot

whiterebel wrote: »

No, its not something that they do.

Not normally no, but it can happen. If you moan enough, eventually people get annoyed and give you your way
(I was reimbursed for a Hard drive that failed under warranty from apple)

jujumushu

Urgh >.<
Well "apparently" it will take 7-10 working days to get my chargers in the post. Guessing the first person I spoke to was not paying attention when he said 24-48 hours
I've actually started reading a book :O :P
Well in fairness to them they are replacing the second charger I bought (the one I bought forgetting I was within warranty for the MBP) which is good when it itself was bought outside the 3 month time period. They did however say that if I wanted a refund of that particular purchase I would have to take it up with PCWorld myself and mention my AppleCare plan.
I'm just crossing my fingers and hope they don't charge me for the parts they're sending. They mentioned on the phone that I had to send both chargers back after I receive the new ones but what they neglected to tell me was that I would have to pay for the new ones if they think it was my fault...
However judging by the review of the L-shape charger on Apple.ie I don't think they'd dare pull that one