AC Power Problem

[GoodMayonnaise]

My T23 was just sitting on the desk when it started making it's AC disconnected and reconnected sounds for no apparent reason. I thought maybe a loose cable or something. I decided to unplug the AC and use it with the battery. Eventually it drained down and powered off. I decided to plug it back in to the AC to charge back up.
Instead of the regular solid orange battery charge indicator, I was given endless cycles of 7 orange flashes from the battery indicator. I cannot find what cycles of 7 flashes means. The flashes only come when the battery is inserted.
When I remove the battery and just have the AC attached I am given a quick orange flicker of the battery indicator right when the AC cable is inserted and it flickers again every time I press the power button.
When I plug in a different, charged battery it boots up no problem. So the problem is either in the AC adapter or I suppose on the motherboard, although I would think that if it were the motherboard I wouldn't be able to turn it on at all. I don't know.

I would really like to know what cycles of 7 flashes from the battery indicator means.

I think I have a spare AC adapter and I have a docking station but not with me so I can't run any more tests. I'm thinking about ordering a new AC adapter but I'd like to know what this error code light situation is about first.

I'll post a video of what it looks like later. I'm too tired to keep going on with this now.

[Majestic]

Check out the link I have posted below regarding loose inductors on a T23. Not only have loose inductors been the cause of a pulsating fan, but they can create charging issues as well. If my memory is correct there are at least two inductors near the area where the battery plugs in.


http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=21979

P.S. here is another link you may find useful....

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=82708

[GoodMayonnaise]

Thanks for that. I'll check it out when I get a chance to open it up. Would a loose inductor like that cause the machine not to work with a charged battery though?

And is there any place that shows what error lights mean? I've checked through the T23 Manual and haven't found anything.

[GoodMayonnaise]

Here's a video illustrating the problem. I was hoping to embed the video but it looks like I can't.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RylfLQrhDuM

[Majestic]

Thanks for that. I'll check it out when I get a chance to open it up. Would a loose inductor like that cause the machine not to work with a charged battery though?

It is difficult to say depending on where the inductor lies in the power circuit. You have already tried two separate batteries so you have eliminated them as the cause. I would guess by now you have tried the dock or a second charger as well. That only leaves the motherboard as being suspect.

And is there any place that shows what error lights mean? I've checked through the T23 Manual and haven't found anything.

Your blinking lights are not a documented error code. If you have ruled out the charger/adapter, then the lights maybe an erroneous code caused by a faulty component on the motherboard.

[GoodMayonnaise]

...I would guess by now you have tried the dock or a second charger as well. That only leaves the motherboard as being suspect.

Your blinking lights are not a documented error code. If you have ruled out the charger/adapter, then the lights maybe an erroneous code caused by a faulty component on the motherboard.

I tested my ac adapter with a friends multimeter and it checks out so the problem is definitely in the motherboard. I haven't opened it up but I will eventually. I still haven't tried it with my dock.

I am still away from all my tools, spare parts and T23 accessories so it will probably will be a while before I can post results.

[GoodMayonnaise]

the problem is definitely in the motherboard.

Wrong

I finally tried a different AC Adapter. The computer works just fine. I still don't understand why since the old adapter was putting out the right amount of power. The only difference is this is an IBM brand AC Adapter where the one I was using before was a made-in-china replacement.

I haven't tried using the bogus adapter with a different T23. I'm just really happy that I don't need to crack this sucker open to do any work on the motherboard.

[rkawakami]

I tested my ac adapter with a friends multimeter and it checks out so the problem is definitely in the motherboard.

I'm assuming that you only measured the voltage coming out of the adapter. A defective power supply can deliver the proper 16VDC but it may not be able to handle the current that is required by the laptop. For that, you would need a way to simulate the 2-3 amps that the laptop would need to power the system and/or charge the battery and connect that load to the supply when measuring the voltage. You could also put an ammeter inline with the adapter but that requires some wiring; putting together a small "patch" cord that has the proper jacks/plugs that match the existing ones on the power supply and laptop.

[GoodMayonnaise]

I'm assuming that you only measured the voltage coming out of the adapter.

You're right, I did.
Thanks.

[Majestic]

Glad to hear the problem was easily resolved. Thanks for posting back with an update.