Chosen Solution
Changed battery because original was discharging too fast. New battery showed low capacity (according to onboard System Parameters software) and discharged rapidly. Replaced with another new battery, used only two screws to hold in battery and two on back cover, went through Battery Calibration process, System Parameters indicated all O.K. . Installed all remaining screws, attempted to use computer, wouldn’t start up. No front light, no fan, no nothing. Removed screws to duplicate last known good conditions, no change. Tried disconnecting battery to start up with charging cord, no joy. Tried various re-setting schemes with onboard keyboard, no joy. Battery voltage at first 9-pin motherboard connector indicates 12.36 VDC. Randomly checked a few solder joints on motherboard, 12.36 VDC. (I don’t know what/where any specific test points are.) Battery charger showed orange for awhile, now showing green light. Have tried “Power Cycling” and “Resetting SMC” with onboard keys; no joy. Suggestions?! Anyone?
From right to left you got 3 pins grounded, then Smc 3.4v, no voltage, Smc 3,4v and then the three 12.5v charging pins. The two Smc pins should show 3,4v with some pulsing. Since battery is not recognised to reset Smc you have to disconnect battery and keep the power on button pressed for at least 10seconds, you can exceed that to be on the safe side. If after reset you have no charging and no pulsing on the 3,4v pins the Smc might have taken damage. Otherwise it’s likely something got damaged either on the charger IC or related components..troubleshooting at that level is not easy and in my opinion not worth a laboratory bill. Update (04/30/2018)
Thats a picture of the two power pads I was talking about..the two small squares to be shorted together..nothing else in that area, you can’t miss or confuse them
