Power issues - random switching to battery while plugged in - Latitude 510

Question

To Dell and others like me with this problem, For the past few months I have been experiencing a problem occasionally that today has been happening every few minutes!!!! While plugged in, my Latitude 510 just stops accepting the charge and switches to battery power. The solution is always to unplug, replug, wiggle, jiggle and reposition the cord. I cannot figure out why I would have a loose connection (it really doesn't appear to be or feel 'loose')or why it keeps switching to battery when there has been absolutely no movement. I've heard some folks say the bricks/cords like this have a reputation of doing this. I'm not fond of the idea of having to buy a new cord each year. Suggestions??? KD

khaverblad · Answer

Hi! I have the same problem with my Inspiron 8600 and I also checked if it was a loose connector on the board, so I opened up my system and checked the solder. It looked okey, but I re-soldered the connector just to make sure and that didn't help out. So next thing to check out would be the power supply it self and I have a friend who has the 8600 as well. I'll check in here when I have something more.

AUKD · Answer

Thanks for the reply. I called Dell and they conducted some diagnostics and then decided to just send me a new power cord/brick. I also found that physically removing the battery (which I did to double check on the battery recall), and then replacing it, has at least temporarily abated the problem. That's the thing about this issue. It 'comes and goes.' KD

trouble951 · Answer

HEY I have great news for you!!! My 5160 did the same thing!  I got a new power cord and the same thing happened. I gave the computer to a friend of mine and he had it running again in 2 minutes!  I forced it into safe mode then cleared some viruses!  It works fine!  At the same time I got a new one from a local store with 4 year all inclusive warranty.  But FYI... My friend fixed it after Dell told me it was the Motherboard!  He also wedged the cord in due to the fact that the connection was warn from use!  So... Good luck...

khaverblad · Answer

Well, I had the possibility of testing my 8600 with another power supply since a friend of mine has as well the 8600 and by that I could tell that my power supply isn't the best condition. But the DC jack on my system needs to be replaced since the power cord is really loose when connected and actually might be that my power supply actually works fine but that the DC jack is bad.

khaverblad · Answer

I finally came around to order a new DC-jack and there was a huge different with fitting size with the new one compared to the original still mounted in the system. So my problem with the system jumping betwen power cord and batteri status was due to that the DC-jack was worn out. So if the power cord is loose and more or less falls out by itself, new DC-jack is the solution. For new D-jack for the Inspiron, check eBay and quite a few people also repair the system if you're not up to make the repair your self.

Message Edited by khaverblad on 01-06-200701:16 PM

Locked Topics – Laptops General

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