iBook G3 Clamshell Power Issue - Loose/Bad Contact Charger

[Scott Baret]

A few weeks ago, I picked up a blueberry Clamshell on Craigslist for $25. It seems to work fine, but there is one issue--the charger won't stay put in the charger port.

I have to actually hold it in place for any sort of light to illuminate. If it's in normally, no go. If it's out the slightest bit, it works, but keeping it in that position is the challenge.

The fan in this thing is a little noisy, but I'm guessing that's just from wear and tear (at least more wear and tear than my personal Clamshell has been through in the 16 years I've owned it).

Any ideas on how to fix this, aside from replacing the part altogether? 

FYI: It's not the charger. I tried that charger in my tangerine Clamshell and it worked fine, plus I tried another charger in the blueberry and it had the same issue. It's a connector problem, no questions asked.

 

[galgot]

Yeah, I have the same problem with a tangerine. It's the power port that is desoldered from the DC board. Shouldn't be too difficult to resolver it.

But Clamshell can be tricky to disassemble . here a good guide:

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iBook+G3+Clamshell+DC-In+Board+Replacement/114

On mine , I plug the power adapter , then stuck up a wood toothpick between the plastic part of the power port and the power plug , it usually holds like that and make contacts on the DC board...

But it's really provisional solution until I disassemble that Clamshell (again...).

 

[bibilit]

The Clamshell is tricky to take apart as Galgot says, but will be probably the only solution.

I have done it several times, not a big deal in the end.

 

[Reasons.]

In my experience, getting a clamshell apart is easier than getting it back together. All in all, though, it's hard but not impossible. Use the iFixit guide and be patient and you should be fine. Plus, you get an opportunity to replace the hard drive while you're in there.