T61: 9-Cell battery failure (FRU#42T4511) [ Editado ]

[starguard]

I am working with a large group of T61 laptops. I am getting a fair number of dead batteries. They would just blink amber, it would register a charge level but if you detach the AC adapter the laptop would cut out.

The batteries are not fading out they just stop working. For some reason the circuit board that controls the charging/discharging of the battery has failed. Someone even claimed that it stopped working while they were away from their laptop getting a meal. So it might not even be coming from standard wear and tear of traveling around.

Is anyone else seeing this same problem? Is this an issue that is already being investigated?

Thank you!

moderator note: type added to title. 

Message Edited by Agotthelf on 27-03-2009 10:34 AM

[hausman]

Is this what you're experiencing? ThinkPad battery will not charge or discharge and gives an "irreparable damage" or "battery cannot b... (or possibly this? Battery recall )

[nshvydky]

I have the same battery and the same happened to me today. Did you find out anything more about this problem ?

PS. All lenovo web tools say that I am not eligible for battery replacement...

[previsun]

My battery is of the same model and it failed today. It is 16 months old. I have the message "Battery Error. Battery cannot be charged. Replace the battery." The charge indicator is at 100% though.

Does anybody have the same issue ? Is there an solution ?

If not what is the price of an equivalent battery ? 

[Coasterdude28]

I am having the same exact rpoblem. My battery was fine until two days ago when it just stopped working. It says it is at 90% but is saying "A battery error has occured. The battery cannot be charged. Replace the battery."

My computer is still under warranty so I am trying to figure out if this is covered or not. Let's hope it is.

[nshvydky]

I believe there is a problem with these batteries. Mine was 13 months old.

I bought a new one - 42T4620. It looks like it should be more reliable because cells of this battery made by Panasonic, not Sharp..

[jwred5]

I have just received this same error.  My battery was manufactured March 2008.  It shows as having 91% charge, but the battery error and cannot be charged.  Downloaded the battery check tool and it says mine is not eligible.  Called Lenovo and they said I was out of luck, have to buy a new battery

[ReneFoobar]

I have the same problem. R60 with a replacement battery first used 2008-01. So it is about 18 month and it stopped working during the day, suddenly. The orange LED is blinking. Does not hold a second....

This happened  18 month before as well, but at this time I had the original 6-cell-battery installed. The board failed and destroyed also the replacment battery. After changing the motherboard, everything was fine, but I had to pay the batteries myself.

FRU: 42T4511

Manufacture Date: 2007-06-18

First used data: 2008-01

Cycles:  317

[Jonathan3Harris]

Same problem.  Battery has 271 charging cycles, only been used 12 months and 1 week.  I left the machine in sleep mode for a few hours, came back, turned it on, and the battery light was flashing, power indicator said 100%, but the system dies immediately if you remove the plug, and the power manager indicates the battery error.

Lenovo should extend their battery replacement program to these (42T4511) batteries, as well.  Batteries shouldn't die suddenly after just over a year of use.

FRU: 42T4511

Manufacture Date: 2008-06-18

First used date: 2008-08

Cycles: 271

Manufacturer: Sanyo

Message Edited by Jonathan3Harris on 08-17-2009 03:03 PM

Message Edited by Jonathan3Harris on 08-17-2009 05:04 PM

[Joomlawyer]

I just got the same message. Sounds as if they got a batch of  lemon batteries, and I am going to get to pay for a new one. The computer is under extended warranty, but the one part that failed is not under warranty. We have bought two ThinkPads in the last 18 months; I spent hours working on the wireless card on the newer one, and now I pay for a new battery for this one.

We also have two MacBook Pros, no problems at all with them . . .