Battery not Charging on AC but does not Discharge

Question

I have an Inspiron E1505 my a/c adapter cord  was damaged and I think may have shorted something out. It would charge the battery some times then finally not at all. I ordered a new charger plugged it in and it would not charge no lights or anything. I then purchased a new battery both are were purchased from Dell.  After installing the new battery it showed 35% full. and as long as I have the AC charger hooked up it seems not to go down any, I've been using it for 4 days now and the power meter has only gone down to 31%. I think the reason it has gone down is the few times I have removed the AC cord it does dischage the battery so I only run on ac power..  The meter also shows  2453:05hrs remainig and that the battery is discharging. It will not run on ac only and the  green charging light does not come on. I read where it may help to flash the bios but  when I try it says that I have to be on ac power to do so. Does this sound like a software problem?

ejn63 · Answer

No, it sounds like a power jack/system board problem.

Rd1 · Answer

I was afraid of that. On AC adapter I must be getting  some current but not charging.  When on battery alone the power meter reads 1:20 hours remaining, on the AC adapter and battery the meter reads 2314:49 hours remaining and 31%.  It does not go down unless I  unplug the AC adapter.

fitz19380 · Answer

I'm having a similar problem with my adapter, but my battery drains even if the ac adapter is plugged in.  If it is a problem with the port/system board, what is the solution?

ejn63 · Answer

If it's under warranty, have Dell replace the board. If it's out of warranty, that's expensive ($400-500+); you can see if a surface mount rework shop can resolder the jack.

fitz19380 · Answer

Thanks.  I've taken apart the computer to look at the jack, and it doesn't look feel loose, so I'm not sure if resoldering will help.  Is there anything else that you think might fix this?   Background: the computer runs fine from the battery, but the AC adapter doesn't charge the battery, and the computer run at all with the battery removed and the AC adapter plugged in.

ejn63 · Answer

If you're sure the jack is OK, and the LED on the adapter is ON, then the problem is with either the battery itself, or with the charge circuitry on the board. A battery will run $100 or so; a mainboard, $400 just for parts - I would replace the battery first.

fitz19380 · Answer

Thanks.  Do you think it is possible that the problem is with the battery even though the computer runs fine from the battery?

ejn63 · Answer

It's more likely the system board is at fault.

fitz19380 · Answer

Is there anything I can do to fix that, other than replacing the system board?

ejn63 · Answer

If the jack is OK, no - you will have to replace the board.

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Battery not Charging on AC but does not Discharge

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