Thinkpads Forum

Hi everyone,

I recently purchased a battery slice 19+ on eBay for my X230 a couple weeks ago. When I got it, it charges fine and works fine. It extended my total run time to around 10-12 hours. Then suddenly one week later, the battery would not charge. None of the charging and battery percentage indicator lights up. Hitting the battery charge indicator button does not light any of the 4 charge lights. Even with the 90w charger plugged into the battery, it does not charge. The laptop indicates that it was charging the laptop battery but in reality, it continues to drain the laptop battery. Is there a way to reset the battery or find out what is going on? Pressing and holding the charge indicator button does nothing. Plugging in the charger to the slice itself does nothing, with or without the laptop attached.

Being a student, I put a lot of money into buying the slice battery which works fine for a week and is advertised as new. I have two classes back to back for a total of 6 hours and a couple hours of preparations before that, so having a 8-13 hours run time is very important.

Thank you very much,
-G

Just a note: Plugging the charger into the laptop power port charges the main battery, but not the slice since charging both requires plugging in the charger into the slice power port. For one week, plugging the charger into the slice power port charges both.

Is it a Lenovo OEM battery, or an aftermarket? Was it purchased new or used?

Either way I think your best bet is to contact the eBay seller and ask for a replacement or exchange. There really isn't much that can be done with sealed Li-ion packs when they go funky; it sounds like the firmware/control circuitry is acting up.

It is a new genuine Lenovo battery slice with FRU P/N 42T4967. It has been close to a month since I purchased it so I don't think I can return it as the seller does not offer returns. It did work for a week. I was wondering if I can reset it somehow. If not, I'll just take it as a loss... a painful one since I'm an unemployed student.

Thank you,
-G

Gnimble wrote:It is a new genuine Lenovo battery slice with FRU P/N 42T4967. It has been close to a month since I purchased it so I don't think I can return it as the seller does not offer returns. It did work for a week. I was wondering if I can reset it somehow. If not, I'll just take it as a loss... a painful one since I'm an unemployed student.

Thank you,
-G

Paypal offers 180 days buyer protection.

Thank you. I didn't realize that so I disassembled the battery a couple of hours ago to see if there are electrical issues inside. I verified that the connection from the battery power terminal to the laptop is live and power does get through when there is a power adapter connected. It is just that all the battery cells are drained and are not being charged. I verified that the LED indicators are functional when I short out a few capacitors with two screw drivers. The laptop indicates that it is being charged through the slice battery but instead of being charged, it is being drained at 2 to 3 times the battery drainage from normal use. I'm just curious how the slice battery can be connected to a 90w power source and drain the laptop battery at the same time. I guessed this thing is headed for battery recycling facility.

I guessed I may be unlucky with add-on batteries from Lenovo. Years ago when I was working, I purchased a slice 27+ for my W520 workstation... it came but never work. When the main battery dies, it dies too although it say it is charged 100%. Now this. I'm going to have to get to class early and stake out a power spot with my extension cord from now on, lol.

Warmest regards,
-G

Gnimble wrote:I guessed this thing is headed for battery recycling facility.

The battery itself may be fine, but the charger IC may be bad. Did you try another slice battery?

You are probably correct regarding the charging IC. Unfortunately, I cannot afford to buy another slice for the next couple of months, even a used one that are being sold on eBay. I'll start saving for another slice though. I like the longevity when it was working.