MacBook Pro 15" A1707 820-00281 turns on once in 10 (or maybe more)

[ryogadan78]

I have this macbook that is behaving abnormally. Initially it had a battery life problem, after changing the battery everything seemed ok, but after about 5 days it started giving problems. It turns on once in 10 (or maybe more), more often after I unplug the battery connector and plug it back in. Sometimes after SMC reset. But it's not a stable rule. Visual inspection shows no problems, no signs of liquid contact or burning. Looking with the thermal camera I notice that the chip that heats up the most is U7220.
Any suggestions?

[ryogadan78]

I should add that using a tester on the micro USB connector I note that the input voltage detected is 5V

[mon2]

Are you using the official and recommended power adapter for this model? Suggest to use a 100W rated usb-c power adapter with a certified 100W power cable to the board.

This detail is important to allow for the peak power delivery contract of 20v 5A to be selected.

[mon2]

If your PD contract is at the power up default of 5V, then inspect the details of each and every PD controller (CD3215).

Review this article:

https://logi.wiki/index.php/CD3215_Bootup_Sequence

Also suggest to remove all power. Meter in resistance mode. Measure the resistance to ground on each and every inductor on the board. Each inductor is linked to a local power supply rail and you may have a borderline shorted capacitor on the rail which is causing an excessive current draw. This is being sensed by the power supply and shuts down the power up sequence.

Be sure the contacts of your USB-C connectors are clean and without debris / cat urine, etc. Use IPA alcohol to clean up the contacts on the USB-C paddle board used by the logic board. Often, this action alone can fix up such cases.

[ryogadan78]

Are you using the official and recommended power adapter for this model? Suggest to use a 100W rated usb-c power adapter with a certified 100W power cable to the board.

This detail is important to allow for the peak power delivery contract of 20v 5A to be selected.

Hi mon2, thanks as usual for your support. You are right, with original power adapter I read 20V on USBC port, but the main problem remain the same (doesn’t turn on).

[mon2]

The USB-C meter in the posted pic is being used in the reverse direction. Please note the direction arrow which shows the flow of the current. This installation may be result in inaccurate measurements.

Can you seat the meter so that the INPUT side is facing the power adapter? You may have to seat the INPUT plug directly to your power adapter and then use the 100W rated power cable to your laptop.

[ryogadan78]

The USB-C meter in the posted pic is being used in the reverse direction. Please note the direction arrow which shows the flow of the current. This installation may be result in inaccurate measurements.

Can you seat the meter so that the INPUT side is facing the power adapter? You may have to seat the INPUT plug directly to your power adapter and then use the 100W rated power cable to your laptop.

Hi mon2, thanks for the suggestion. I too had noticed the input and output indications, but strangely I never saw any difference in reading the data. I attach photos taken today

[mon2]

Be sure that the white USB-C cable is rated for 100W. This is important. Only high power cables will feature an e-marker IC inside the hoods to allow for higher power delivery contracts to be negotiated from the power adapter.

For this model, from the Rossmann forums:

Make sure you are using a 87w charger (or higher) and USB-C cable that is rated for 5 amps.