Power jack on Thinkpad X201

[Hogwild]

Hi:

I have an old Thinkpad X201 here.
Model/Type: 3113-X06.


Now, I almost never cross-post. But this time, I posted a similar question on another forum. There, I asked:  "Can anyone tell me the exact model of the AC adapter for it? Some of the photos on the web suggest they use a typical barrel connector with OD = 7.9mm and ID = 5.5 mm. However, the charging port on my X201 doesn't look like one that would accept a standard barrel connector. I've actually never seen a connector that looks like it before.



They replied:


"Your DC-in port is damaged beyond repair with 2 bent contacts and a missing center stub."

"That port is badly damaged-- the plastic part in the center is completely gone."


In my reply, I stated:
Your thesis is that my power jack is missing a large, wide chunk of plastic in the middle of it? And if so, why do I see zero signs of a break in said plastic in the jack? As I said, the picture you posted looks nothing like my jack. The jack in the photo you posted also doesn't show the two small round contact pins in the middle of my jack, nor the two more rectangular-shaped contact pins on each side of them.

Their reply was that my jack is severely damaged, and that the yellow center plastic was missing, and the contacts were normally hidden inside it.




Photo of my, allegedly damaged jack





Photo of what they claim is the same jack as mine, but undamaged:


Does everyone agree with this? I'm finding it a bit hard to believe.

[erkko]

Same jack is used on X200, that I have next to me. And X230 that I have on my lap. I agree with their diagnosis. Your socket is damaged.

Lousy snapshot for reference. Inner contacts in question are visible.

PS. they are visible in "their" picture also, just zoom it a little bit. Not much sharpness, darkish image also. But they are visible, if only barely.

PPS. original thread: https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=137852

[Hogwild]

Hmm...okay. They posted the replacement part, but I  don't like disassembling laptops, and from what I undertsand, I have to remove at least 5 parts before I can get to the AC input port/cable. Does that sound about right?

[mkd]

Some laptops have the jack directly on the motherboard, but that specific thinkpad has a cable attaching the jack to the motherboard, looks like you can buy one on ebay, just look for "X201 power jack replacement", and you should find one. Basically you just take out all the screws you can find on the back, then flip it around and pop the keyboard panel off. The jack will be on the side, held on by a screw (I think, the pictures I can find aren't very clear) Just remove that, follow the cable back to the motherboard, and disconnect it. Reverse the steps to install the new one. Thinkpads are a lot easier to disassemble and repair than most other laptops, it shouldn't be too much of hassle to replace.

[ksjh]

You can take a look at the hardware maintenance manual for this model (pp. 100 ff.): https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/x200_x200s_x200si_x201_x201i_x201s_hmm_en_43y6632_11.pdf
This manual also mentions FRU number 44C5396 for the replacemant part (p. 174), this might help to make sure to purchase the right connector.

[Hogwild]

Thanks everybody.

[amyk]

And if so, why do I see zero signs of a break in said plastic in the jack?

I believe the center insulator is a separate clipped-in piece. You can see the openings in the body where the clips would've gone into.

...and it seems USB-C connector boards are available, so if you happen to have a USB-C PSU lying around, I suppose that might be worth a try although I'd rather have a robust barrel plug.