MacBook Air Not Turning On

shanezn

shanezn

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Hi guys. I've got a strange issue on my 13" Mid 2013 MBA. Started about a week ago. I shut it down one night and then tried turning it on the next morning and ... nothing. Dead. Magsafe charger shows that it's charging. Opened it up and disconnected the battery and tried to power on but still no go. Eventually, I came across someone on YouTube having a similar issue and they ran a hairdryer over the MBA (top and bottom) for about 20 seconds on each side and then powered on. I figured I had nothing to lose so I tried it and it worked ! MBA powered on. I left it to sleep overnight and it was still functional the next day. Shut it down and left again overnight and I was back to square one with it not turning on. Tried the hairdryer trick again and presto, I was back in business.

Not sure what the issue may be. My gut tells me it's something to do with the logic board but I'm not sure what exactly. I'm really not looking forward to a logic board replacement (or carrying around a hair dryer) so I'm wondering if this is something that can be repaired ? Has anyone ever seen/heard of an issue like this ? There's been no liquid spillage or anything. I've read that moisture can cause this. I do live on the coast but I assume this issue would have popped up a long time ago if that was the case.

Any and all help/guidance appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
The only thing you can replace on a Macbook is the logic board?

There are some guys that can do some logic board repairs, there was a thread about it a while back with contact info, I'd try that first, sending back to Apple you are virtually guaranteed a logic board replacement at R8k+
 
I know, and I'm fresh out of Vaseline so I'll avoid that if at all possible.
 
Confirm the transformer actually works on another Macbook before wasting your time looking for other issues.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Confirm the transformer actually works on another Macbook before wasting your time looking for other issues.
Click to expand...
He can just open it up, and see if there are any connection issues, especially if the hair dryer is causing it to wake again. The flow of the hair dryer air, might be causing something inside to shift into place, but I don't know lol seems a strange one, that the flow of the air coming from the hair dryer is causing it to switch it.
 
try this

1) remove battery

2) then while magsafe & battery disconnected, hold down power button for 5 seconds - then release

3) now, while holding down power button, connect magsafe (keep holding down power button)

4) once magsafe is connected, release power button, then immediately press and release power button as you would for normal start up

machine should (hopefully) start up, fans will be running at full speed

shut down normally, put battery back in & try start up again
 
Another option is to hold Apple + Alt + P + R while starting up and seeing if you get any result.

Although I think that shortcut requires at least power to do anything.

Grant’s SMC reset is probably the next best bet, but last I checked that didn’t require a battery removal.

All else failing take it to Dennis.
 
SauRoNZA said:
The power supply okes.

Come on it’s not that hard.

And to test it is forthcoming...I hope.
Click to expand...

Say that then lol !

Tested another magsafe (from my wife's Air) and no luck. My Magsafe charger works fine as well on her lappy.

@Grant - Tried that initially. Didn't work. Performed PRAM and SMC Reset and still no joy. The only thing that worked was the goofy hairdryer trick. I'm actually typing this from my Air. Shut down last night, didn't turn on and then "blow dried" back into action this afternoon :-/

I'm in Durban so if there's anyone that you guys can recommend I take it to down here that'll be great.
 
shanezn said:
Say that then lol !

Tested another magsafe (from my wife's Air) and no luck. My Magsafe charger works fine as well on her lappy.

@Grant - Tried that initially. Didn't work. Performed PRAM and SMC Reset and still no joy. The only thing that worked was the goofy hairdryer trick. I'm actually typing this from my Air. Shut down last night, didn't turn on and then "blow dried" back into action this afternoon :-/

I'm in Durban so if there's anyone that you guys can recommend I take it to down here that'll be great.
Click to expand...

The problem is any Apple store is going to want to replace the Logic Board for near the cost of a new Air.

Someone like Dennis down here in Paarden Eiland can reflow it or do a component repair.

May be worth shipping it down to him.

https://g.co/kgs/rWmR2p
 
Last edited:
SauRoNZA said:
The problem is any Apple store is going to want to replace the Logic Board for near the cost of a new Air.

Someone like Dennis down here in Paarden Eiland can reflow it or do a component repair.

May be worth shipping it down to him.
Click to expand...

I hear you. Can you fling me his details ?
 
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