Predator gets an intermittent critical low battery message when charging

Laurence1971 · August 2018

Hello!

My Acer Predator 15 gets an intermittent critical low battery message when charging. The message ends only when the charger is unplugged. A few days ago the laptop stopped charging. I think the charger is burned out. I got a 2nd charger and the message continued. After a day the new charger stopped working also. Does this mean the battery is bad or is there an internal issue with the laptop?

JackE · August 2018

>>> Does this mean the battery is bad >>>

This is the most likely reason. Probably due to a faulty regulator/controller chip embedded inside the battery. Doesn't seem like anything's wrong with the laptop or the chargers. Jack E/NJ

Laurence1971 · August 2018

Thanks, I'll try a new battery!

JackE · August 2018

OK. Please let us know the result good or bad. Thanks. Jack E/NJ

Laurence1971 · October 2018

Hi there!

So I replaced the faulty battery with a new OEM battery.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/xg/jwhbd8dkh96t.jpg

The laptop powered up just fine but when I plugged the power adapter in, it would not charge.
Eventually, the new battery ran out of power and the laptop will not power on or charge.

I read about a pin on the access panel that needs to push a small button on the main board.
I can confirm that the pin is present and does indeed push the button.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/4h/ewqa0uj16npi.jpg

I also read about a small screw located inside the access panel. The screw is said to ground the main board or something.
The screw is indeed present.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/da/0lcnxowrqn3l.jpg

I tried to push the battery reset button and it did nothing.
I am now at my ropes end! Acer wants $730 USD to fix the laptop.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/ue/7eux0mk1wdj1.jpg

I spent all my money purchasing the ***** thing and now it doesn't work.
Any suggestions to get this thing running would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks!
L.

JackE · October 2018

Well, that's definitely a bad result. But in the image below, where did you read about this button? It may be a mainboard safety interlock switch to cut power to the mainboard when the cover panel and its button pusher --- the pin --- is removed. Jack E/NJ

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/i4/dk07vgf5u88n.jpg

Laurence1971 · October 2018

I read about it on another post.

JackE · October 2018

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/538451/#Comment_538451

Yes. Good find. That may be the issue. The button pusher or pin may not be fully depressing the safety interlock button enough to keep it on so the mainboard is powered and the battery is charging. I suggest taping a small piece of cardboard to the top of the panel's button pusher pin so it presses harder on the button when the panel is in place. Then plug the charger back in and try to power it up. Report back with good results this time!

Jack E/NJ

Laurence1971 · October 2018

Will give it a try, THANKS!

Laurence1971 · October 2018

OK THIS SOUNDS CRAZY, but I jiggled the black, wrapped wire coming from the charging port socket and the laptop started up.
Is it possible there is a loose connection?

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/kp/ofw1hkyjl2g0.jpg

JackE · October 2018

Possible. Another good observation. May be a cracked solder joint at the port. With the charger unplugged and battery disconnected, you might want remove the cover so you can get a better look at the solder. That joint would be an easy one to reflow with a small soldering tip. Jack E/NJ