Dell Inspiron 3582 DC input jack disintegrated

[mel71]

So I got a this Dell Inspiron 3582 from Takealot just after Level 5 lockdown last April and it has 2 months still on the warranty, and now the plastic bit on the DC input jack fell off and probably got swallowed by a hungry vacuum cleaner. I did not notice so next time I tried to charge it, it would not charge, so I logged a call with Dell, it took a day for them to reply to my email, I uploaded pics as requested, waited a further day and got a message that they would not replace the part because its "customer related damage", and they would send me a quote to replace the part at my own cost. I am not sure what customer finds it entertaining to tweezer out the black doohickey on the input jack, but it was not my choice of fun activity, but who has the energy to argue with a tech person sitting in Ireland or Malaysia or India? - not me. Okay, then I waited one more day for the quote, which I got today. R400 for the jack and R700 for the Dell technician to come and install it. The laptop itself cost R4,4k so that means the cost of repair is 25% of the thing - seriously, is there an easier way of doing this? Has anyone had a similar problem with Dells with the DC input jack? Where can I reliably source one? There seems to be about 100 screws to undo to install it but I'm willing to attempt it just on principle.

 

[Ouballie2]

Try google. "replace dell dc input jack"

 

[ponder]

Ebay etc and solder it yourself.

 

[|tera|]

They will usually just replace the motherboard.

For that cost there's nothing wrong with it.
You get a spanking new motherboard and the tech is R700, which is way below any IT outfit doing the job.

Confirm if it's a mobo replacement and go for it. Extend your warranty as well. The Inspiron's are great.

 

[Malle]

The DC-in is not part of the mobo, if you can source the part it's not that difficult to replace.

 

[|tera|]

The DC-in is not part of the mobo, if you can source the part it's not that difficult to replace.

When soldered on, it is technically part of the mobo. Why waste time and effort to do everything, including sourcing, if you could only pay R400 for a new mobo.
Doing it on your own voids the warranty as well.

 

[Malle]

As far as I know for the Insiron 3582 it's a separate harness cable.

 

[mel71]

So 6488 steps and three PC shops later, I’m slightly more educated. Just sayin’, I did spend four days this week in between work stuff googling trying to find the part, watching videos and downloading the manual for the Dell 3582. Today I went to Matrix (told me the DC jack can be replaced for maybe less than R1k but will take 4-5 weeks for them to just get the part), Incredible Connection told me oh, the DC Jack is part of the motherboard and will cost me R4k at which I nearly cast up my lunch, but instead retreated precipitously without sullying their floor. Another computer shop told me to try Huge PC which is now only open on Monday, so that’s my plan now, to call them Monday and check if they have the part. I’m reluctant to buy a part online because it may not be right and I don’t have the time for back and forth. Now I’ve taken to my bed with wine and chocolate to recover from the 6488 steps. I don’t own a solder iron but I do have a chainsaw, I’ll work up to the solder.

 

[RedViking]

And you can't log a return under warrant directly with Takealot?

 

[mel71]

Hmmm, worth a try!! Going to check

 

[ponder]

So 6488 steps and three PC shops later, I’m slightly more educated. Just sayin’, I did spend four days this week in between work stuff googling trying to find the part, watching videos and downloading the manual for the Dell 3582. Today I went to Matrix (told me the DC jack can be replaced for maybe less than R1k but will take 4-5 weeks for them to just get the part), Incredible Connection told me oh, the DC Jack is part of the motherboard and will cost me R4k at which I nearly cast up my lunch, but instead retreated precipitously without sullying their floor. Another computer shop told me to try Huge PC which is now only open on Monday, so that’s my plan now, to call them Monday and check if they have the part. I’m reluctant to buy a part online because it may not be right and I don’t have the time for back and forth. Now I’ve taken to my bed with wine and chocolate to recover from the 6488 steps. I don’t own a solder iron but I do have a chainsaw, I’ll work up to the solder.

Just order the part, you don't need a soldering iron or anything fancy.

Inspiron 3582 Service Manual | Dell South Africa

www.dell.com

They're like US$13 online for B085QM1WMX

 

[mel71]

Update: Huge PC was very friendly but said they do not have the part, but I can book in the machine and they will check around for the part. I was unwilling to commit to a maybe. Online part purchase - yes, but the shipping options take forever and its a hit or miss, as far as I can read from other posts on parts. Soooooo... I gave in and paid DELL the R1266 for the part and installation at 09h00 today, and sent off the proof of purchase -and crazy pink elephants, I get a call at 09h09 saying the technician can come to me today at my house - but silly me, being upright and at work like the non-working-from-home-in-pajamas dedicated desk jockey that I am, I arranged for tomorrow at 9am. We will see what happens. It seems that if you buy a Dell, sure its cheap to purchase but you need to wrap that baby in cuddly cotton and sing it lullabies at night because if you do not, Dell does have you by the short hairs.