Hardware Got a Switch that kills docks

kwnage · Nov 22, 2019

Hello everyone,

i own a switch that initially had a broken M92T36 that i replaced (the console was faulty when i received it). It worked fine for a while until one day upon docking the console, the dock began flashing and never came back to life afterwards. Before that i never had trouble using the console in docked mode.
The console also didn't boot up anymore, so i checked on the M92T36. It was dead again. Replaced it, and it went fine for two weeks until it killed the next dock. Also the M92T36 is fried again.

The first time i suspected the usb port, which was a bit flaky when connecting to a pc. I replaced that and it was fine ever since.
While working on that console i also noticed that it's missing the ESD protection near the USB Port. Another pcb that i worked on has it. Could that have something to do with this particular pcb being fussy about docking?

Also do you have any advice on how to get rid of the problem? I'm running out of docks (haven't looked into reparing the fried ones).

Thanks in advance!

bootaholic · Nov 22, 2019

kwnage said:
Hello everyone,

i own a switch that initially had a broken M92T36 that i replaced (the console was faulty when i received it). It worked fine for a while until one day upon docking the console, the dock began flashing and never came back to life afterwards. Before that i never had trouble using the console in docked mode.
The console also didn't boot up anymore, so i checked on the M92T36. It was dead again. Replaced it, and it went fine for two weeks until it killed the next dock. Also the M92T36 is fried again.

The first time i suspected the usb port, which was a bit flaky when connecting to a pc. I replaced that and it was fine ever since.
While working on that console i also noticed that it's missing the ESD protection near the USB Port. Another pcb that i worked on has it. Could that have something to do with this particular pcb being fussy about docking?

Also do you have any advice on how to get rid of the problem? I'm running out of docks (haven't looked into reparing the fried ones).

Thanks in advance!

Please show a picture of what SMD specifically you're talking about.

In my experience, there's a lot of variation between boards, even the same build level boards seem to different components depending on build date.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

kwnage · Nov 22, 2019

Here's a picture of it:

It's supposed to be protecting the USB data lines I guess. So it might not be the cause for the problem...

bootaholic · Nov 22, 2019

As you suggested, the USB port was likely the culprit. If pins were shorting within the port, you would certainly fry the M92T36. I find typically when a console needs a USB port, it will also need an M92T36.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

kwnage · Nov 22, 2019

I replaced the usb port after it died on me for the first time, so i don't think it's the usb port. Also the new port looks fairly clean, no shorted pins whatsoever. I still have a few USB Ports, I might replace it again. The new ones came from china, probably out of other fried consoles... you never know.

bootaholic · Nov 22, 2019

Oh I see. I missed that part. Maybe the dock is at fault here. There's a lot of power switching going on on the dock board, might be worth poking around in there.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

bootaholic · Nov 22, 2019

Seems you've tried that too... I guess reading isn't my strong suit.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

kwnage · Nov 22, 2019

These were two independent docks

one from my new mariko switch, the other one came with the dock killer as i'm calling it from now on. So i don't think those are at fault.
I still have one other dock left that i don't wanna risk.

The Real Jdbye · Nov 22, 2019

kwnage said:
Hello everyone,

i own a switch that initially had a broken M92T36 that i replaced (the console was faulty when i received it). It worked fine for a while until one day upon docking the console, the dock began flashing and never came back to life afterwards. Before that i never had trouble using the console in docked mode.
The console also didn't boot up anymore, so i checked on the M92T36. It was dead again. Replaced it, and it went fine for two weeks until it killed the next dock. Also the M92T36 is fried again.

The first time i suspected the usb port, which was a bit flaky when connecting to a pc. I replaced that and it was fine ever since.
While working on that console i also noticed that it's missing the ESD protection near the USB Port. Another pcb that i worked on has it. Could that have something to do with this particular pcb being fussy about docking?

Also do you have any advice on how to get rid of the problem? I'm running out of docks (haven't looked into reparing the fried ones).

Thanks in advance!

I've seen the flashing dock light before and I think it just means the dock detected some sort of error. But it didn't actually brick the dock in those cases. Unplugging everything from the dock for a few minutes (just in case some capacitors need to be discharged or something) should hopefully bring it back to life.

kwnage · Nov 22, 2019

That was the first thing i tried. The docks have been disconnected for quite a while now. Tested them again but they're dead. My other - fully functional - console doesn't recognize either dock.

The Real Jdbye · Nov 22, 2019

kwnage said:
That was the first thing i tried. The docks have been disconnected for quite a while now. Tested them again but they're dead. My other - fully functional - console doesn't recognize either dock.

Have a look in the USB-C plug on the dock with a flashlight. Maybe the damaged USB-C port on the Switch bent some of the pins.
Edit: Might need to at least partially dismantle the dock to get a good look at it since it's pretty deep inside there.

kwnage · Nov 23, 2019

Here's a pic of the connector inside one of the broken docks (the other one is out for RMA):

To my eye, the pins look pretty darn straight. Although the inner plastic trim looks a bit damaged, i don't think that would cause any trouble.

Also I replaced the USB port on the console again just to be safe. It's working again, withstands wiggling around in the dock and also with a USB cable plugged in. Now i just have to wait until it kills the last dock i currently have.

Still curious what might be causing this apart from a faulty USB-C Port which i'm still not quite sure about being at fault in this case.

Hielkenator2 · Nov 23, 2019

kwnage said:
That was the first thing i tried. The docks have been disconnected for quite a while now. Tested them again but they're dead. My other - fully functional - console doesn't recognize either dock.

Then return them to Nintendo en get a new one, duh

kwnage · Nov 23, 2019

Sure. But that's not the point and doesn't fix the console that's killing them... you know, perhaps somebody has an idea what might be causing this.

kwnage · Dec 8, 2019

It killed itself again... this time no docks were involved. The battery was around 10%, I just stopped playing and left it there without plugging in the charger. The next day the battery was completely empty so i plugged the charger in. Screen flashed once and then nothing, doesn't charge or anything now. I opened it up and measured the caps around the M92T36. And guess what: The M92 is dead again...

So it seems when the battery is flat, plugging in the charger kills it. This doesn't happen when the console is still on, i can plug in the charger any time and it will charge up to a 100% fine.
Also i think this does only happen when using the original nintendo charger. Incidentally everytime the M92T36 blew up i charged it slowly via the USB port of my PC, otherwise i think the M92 would have blown up again right away.

Do we know the values of the passives around the M92T36 and BQ24193? I'd like to check them. Perhaps a resistor went short and causes higher current draw when charging a flat battery or something...

Hardware Got a Switch that kills docks

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

*is birb*

Active Member

*is birb*

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Active Member

Similar threads

Popular threads in this forum

is birb

is birb