Battery Charger Life

My battery charger doesn't charge and the blue light isn't turning on.
Is it safe to assume that it is dead?
Are there any tests I can do to verify if that's the case?
I've had it for a year and 3 months, is that the typical life of a battery charger?

 

They dont usually break, but contact Dell, and they should send you a replacement one.

Id assume its broken, there are no test i know of.

 

They can die at any time but most run for several years.

The one thing you can check is to try a different mains power lead in order to exclude that being the cause of the problem.

John

 

It started working for 10 minutes or so, but then I touched the wire and that caused it to stop working. Afterwards, no matter how I shook or whatever it wouldn't turn on again. I think that means I need a replacement.

So my new question is, how is the difference in quality in buying the replacement part for $70 off dell.ca as opposed to the plentiful replacement options I see on ebay going for $23-40.

My laptop is the vostro 1400. I see a bunch compatible with it, some say Pa 10, others Pa 12. Are they all the same or are there certain features I should be looking for?

 

Call Dell, they will replace it (for free).

 

There is no difference in quality from eBay so long as it is still a genuine Dell adapter.

Greg

 

I am no longer under warranty. Does it still apply?
The last time I called regarding a dead hdd, the second after confirming my service tag, they say they can't help me but can transfer me to some pay to talk line.

Some of the adapters I see say they are "compatible" with my laptop, but aren't genuine Dell ones. Is that too risky?

 

Oh, i though you said in your OP, you had it for 3 months, but didnt realize you said 1year AND 3 months.. Should have thougght and read more first.

Anyway, If its out of warranty, its unlikely, but worth a call and some arguing and persisting on a new one. It works sometimes and worth a try.

Id only get a Genuine Dell charger personally. To avoid any posible problems.

 

If touching the wire made the blue light go on and off, chances are you could get it repaired pretty easily. It's probably just a flaky connection or an intermittent wire, and not a dying component. If you know anyone with soldering skills ask if they'll take a look.

If you touched the wire on the AC side, the repair could be extra easy... If it was the wire on the laptop side, maybe more difficult. If your charger is like mine (hope it isn't, mine is huge) then the AC side uses a pretty standard power cord. (But I assume you would have just replaced that if it were.)

 

It can't be fixed.
For buying a new one, it just needs to be from the PA-10 family, have the same input and output right?