X61 Bluetooth issue

[b1ack0p]

Hi,

this is my first post. first of all i would like to say that i follow this forum for long time without registration and solutions to issues i faced on my thinkpads in this forum which came up with google searches helped me a lot! thanks for Thinkpads forum and i am glad there is such a place like here.

recently i have got a used X61 arrived with bluetooth on it but system doesnt detect bluetooth. i checked BIOS and there is no bluetooth setting to enable/disable there in Security or I/O Ports. i tried to turn on/off wifi switch button but still no luck. i also tried to install ThinkPad bluetooth driver data rate II but it didnt install by warning no BT detected.. i installed ubuntu, checked usb and pci devices with lsusb and lspci commands but no bluetooth again.

i disassembled to check if BT card is not plugged properly but it was plugged.. i cleaned the little socket and LCD flex cable with isopropyl alcohol but still no BT. i hope it is not mobo or flex cable faulty because it s hard to find parts from my location.

could you please give me advice what could be the problem? some may consider BT is not important but i sometimes need it while using BT mouse/keyboard and speakers.

thanks in advance.

[olex126]

Does Function+F5 bring up a Wireless/Bluetooth menu?

Dave

[b1ack0p]

Thanks for reply. I just tried on Windows 7 - 64bit, installed Hotkey features v3.81 first and v3.89 later but volume keys and non of the Fn-keys bringing menu.

[b1ack0p]

Hi again. i installed hotkey features and i could access Fn-5 menu but it doesnt show Bluetooth there. Shows only two , 1-Aairplane mode 2- 802.11 Wireless Radio

i tried another lcd (same BT card, same motherboard but different LCD flex cable) it didnt work..

[wileE]

Try this:
install tpfc v 062 https://thinkwiki.de/TPFanControl belongs on a X61 anyway
right click on the temperature icon that shows up in the task bar
second menu item is for switching bluetooth

[b1ack0p]

Hi,
@wileE thanks for the reply. i installed as you adviced even i enabled Bluetooth at right click of TPfanControl no bluetooth detected
Screenshot here: https://i.postimg.cc/J73KxNbN/2019-08-19-20-33-09.png

[wileE]

Most likely your bluetooth module is broken then.
If you buy a new one, X61 also works with the bluetooth 4.0 modules from the x230. Although you need the Middleton Bios for that.

[b1ack0p]

i tried X61 BT module on T400 and it works. do you think something else with motherboard?

[axur-delmeria]

So you already tried a different LCD cable, but it still didn't work? If yes, then it's likely that the issue is with the system board-- either it's not delivering power to the BT card, or the USB port it's wired to is defective/malfunctioning.

[b1ack0p]

Hi finally problem fixed. i tried 2 flex cable didnt work. finally today i received another x61 (bad condition with good screen) i just replaced screen and flex cable worked with the card. so problem was bad lcd cable. replacement fixed the issue.

thanks all for replies and advices.

[axur-delmeria]

So even the 2nd cable was defective? Awful luck. Good thing you found a replacement part.

[b1ack0p]

Yes it seems 2 cables were bad.