PS3 controller won't hold a charge?

[sabrage]

Title says it all... The controller works just fine when I plug it in, but the second I unplug the cable it immediately turns off.

My peripheral google search reveals that this is somewhat of a common problem, but I couldn't find a definitive solution and I've long since tossed the original packaging/warranty information. I'm assuming Sony will fix this for me? I've had the controller since last December and it's mostly sat unused. I certainly haven't abused it in any way. My other controller works just fine.

[ksloth]

That sure sounds like a bad battery to me. I have controllers from 2007 that still hold a charge.

Title says it all... The controller works just fine when I plug it in, but the second I unplug the cable it immediately turns off.

My peripheral google search reveals that this is somewhat of a common problem, but I couldn't find a definitive solution and I've long since tossed the original packaging/warranty information. I'm assuming Sony will fix this for me? I've had the controller since last December and it's mostly sat unused. I certainly haven't abused it in any way. My other controller works just fine.

[sabrage]

Yeah, I figured that much out. This is from Sony's warranty page....

THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER CONSUMABLES (SUCH AS BATTERIES)

Am I just screwed?

[ZenErik]

It shouldn't be too difficult to replace the battery. I'll have to look it up later. It's likely very easy to disconnect the old battery and pop a new one in. But there is a slight chance that soldering is involved.

[sabrage]

I'd really rather not void my warranty if possible. I did try hitting the reset button; no good.

[isiolia]

It shouldn't be too difficult to replace the battery. I'll have to look it up later. It's likely very easy to disconnect the old battery and pop a new one in. But there is a slight chance that soldering is involved.

It looks to be pretty straightfoward here.

[ksloth]

Doit! Rip er open, replace the battery, and then tell us how it went

[Anapan]

I had the same problem and had to replace the battery. The stock battery it came with was almost half the size of the new stock replacement one (both were sony brand). They'd actually put a white plastic harness in to hold the smaller battery in the place of the proper sized one. The replacement was easy and fixed the problem.

[sabrage]

I had the same problem and had to replace the battery. The stock battery it came with was almost half the size of the new stock replacement one (both were sony brand). They'd actually put a white plastic harness in to hold the smaller battery in the place of the proper sized one. The replacement was easy and fixed the problem.

Did you get your battery from Amazon? I contacted Sony and their repair service seems even more annoying so I'll probably end up just doing it myself. ifixit directed me to this one but I'd much rather have an official Sony battery.

[Anapan]

Ebay. My bad, it wasn't a Sony, it was a ROHS approved LIP1859 1350mAh from ebay seller power.sources (store: Battery.Sources). In any case, it's actually performing much better than my other 2 bought-new sixaxis controllers for battery life so I fully reccomend replacing it. The free shipping was fast-ish.

edit: Read the reviews on that link you posted before you buy it. New batteries are $12-$16.