Is my MacBook battery defective?

Hi all,
My MacBook Pro 13" late 2011 is having some battery charging problems. I don't have an apple charger, though I've been using one from eBay for over 12 months with no problems until the past month or so.
Three things happen. It either says the battery is not charging when plugged in, charges for about 10-15 mins then doesn't charge, or my computer will turn off when I move it (even with charge).
My Mum has another non apple charger for her MacBook Air mid 2011, which does the same to my computer as my charger. Both of our chargers work 100% perfectly on her computer and have never caused her to experience any problems.
According to my system report, I've had 621 battery cycles and it's in normal condition. I didn't have any problems until I updated to Yosemite.
I'd take my computer into an apple store, but the closest one to my house is over an hour away and I would only like to take it in if I have to.
Thanks everyone
-Ebony

From what can be determined from Apple's documentation on the subject:
http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html
Your New Notebook
Your new Apple notebook features advanced battery chemistry that greatly extends the battery’s lifespan. The built-in battery of your MacBook, MacBook Pro or MacBook Air is designed to deliver up to 1000 full charge and discharge cycles before it reaches 80 percent of its original capacity.
So, if yours is down to 82% health with only 166 cycles, it looks like something is wrong. Give Apple a call, and see what they say.

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Macbook Battery Problem

Hi all, this is my first post, but something weird happened to my macbook that I have to share with you.
Ok, my Macbook Core Duo 2.0GHz (1st generation) have had no problem during its first and half year. Then I left the notebook sitting at home for one month as I was away on business. Came back, the machine won't start, used AC adaptor and showed the battery not charging, "x" and everything. My warranty expired, so I bought a new battery. Once I got that, it worked fine for almost 7 months.
Another business trip left my macbook for 1 month, I came back, the battery is dead again!!! So I went to apple support and bought another new battery. This time I installed it at home, and it doesn't charge what-so-ever. I tried everything from SMU reset, PMU reset, P-RAM reset. NOTHING WORKED.
So I took a friend's macbook battery to try, and it worked! I can charge that battery with my macbook, and my battery won't charge on his macbook. So scientifically I thought its the battery defect. I went to Apple Care and they say they will replace it for me, but think that it should be my macbook's problem. Must be the Logic Board, I explained why I disagree, and that the battery came with only one LED blinking when I got home to charge, the current was already too low to charge.
Anyways, I was able to buy a second-hand battery really cheap but with limited life-span and use it until my replacement battery returns. Everything seem fine and I can charge it up to 100% although it will only last me 50-mins, still not bad, right?
I was reluctant to completely drain this battery now since I am afraid it will drop to zero and won't recharge like the other ones.
I am using Boot Camp, and Vista as well as OS X. Suddenly today, two days after I bought the 2nd hand battery, I was using Vista to show my friend the battery problem is fixed. But suddenly out of nowhere the battery dropped from 95% charged to 0% in seconds. It shuts down automatically, and the battery was flashing one LED indicating it's dying.
I started back in Mac OS X and found the charger able to recharge, but it fixed at 0% for 20 minutes. I thought I am screwed and went out for a smoke. I came back to see the battery charging back to 5% and then slowly to 10%, and 20%, suddenly it went back to 85% in seconds, and then 100%. I try to unplug it and it seemed fine. I left it on without the adapter for 20 minutes, the battery drain normally, to 70% (it's fine considering the battery was 2nd hand) My friend thought I should try to switch back to Vista to see if the same thing will occur. So I did, and before the Vista screen came up, the macbook blacked out. I checked the battery indicator and it's flashing one LED again!!!
So I switched back to Mac side and re-do the charging, this time it took longer to get back to +90%, I thought this is normal, 'cause I did use the battery longer on the Mac side before switching to Vista for the test.
I thought to myself, why Vista drained my battery, and then I remember the first battery that died on me was about the time I switched the PC side to Vista. Prior to that, the PC side was using XP. The second time it died it was in Vista as well. I also remember I wanted to reduce the size of my PC partition, so I trimmed off unnecessary features like hibernation by (Powercfg -h off). It saved 2G in size but it may be causing some problem to the charging circuit for the Mac-hardware??? Don't know for sure.
So I erased my Vista partition, and re-installed XP. Since then I tried both sides without adaptor, usually for 10-minutes or less, and no sudden dropped to 0% occurred since.
Everything else is working fine with my macbook, except the power features. Right now at least I can charge the battery, but I am always worried about when or IF the battery will dropped off and kill itself.
I am waiting for the replacement battery to return from APPLE, and hopefully when it returns, my Macbook will be able to recognize the DEFAULT low-charge of a new battery. I'm still not sure if my macbook is defective, and if it did killed the first battery replacement they gave me a few days ago. If it did kill a decent battery, will it kill this new replacement as well??
I know for a fact that the reason why the machine won't charge the battery is because the current of the battery has become too low for the machine to be able to charge it. If the current becomes lower, the "X" will occur suggesting that the machine doesn't even recognize it's a battery. But what I want to know is what caused the battery to drop to such a low current if I turned off the macbook during storage.
Sorry for the length of this post, but I have to be clear on all the details if I want help, I suppose. Right now my question is (1) Why is this occuring?? (2) Am I right in assuming that by removing Vista with XP, the problem will not repeat?? (3) Is it likely for any new or 2nd hand functioning battery to drop to the state of the other battery any time soon?? (4) Am I doing proper care for my Macbook, and what should I do in the future to avoid the same problem from occuring??

gpotts,
Thanks again, here's my battery profile: (keep in mind this is the 2nd hand battery I am profiling) BTW, something happened when I was doing this message, I left the notebook on for about 20 minutes, it dropped from +90% to 48%, macbook prompted me that the battery is running low. I plugged the adaptor and it went back to +95% within minutes...
Good thing is, I haven't seen the sudden drop to 0% ever since I removed Vista, and also I am able to charge my battery everytime I try now, no more "NOT CHARGING" or "X" indication.
Any clues??? Thanks in advance.
Battery Information:
Model Information:
Serial Number: DP-ASMB013-34cf-** <Edited by Moderator>
Manufacturer: DP
Device name: ASMB013
Pack Lot Code: 0001
PCB Lot Code: 0000
Firmware Version: 0102
Hardware Revision: 0300
Cell Revision: 0100
Charge Information:
Charge remaining (mAh): 1533
Fully charged: No
Charging: Yes
Full charge capacity (mAh): 1597
Health Information:
Cycle count: 349
Condition: Good
Battery Installed: Yes
Amperage (mA): 466
Voltage (mV): 12597
System Power Settings:
AC Power:
System Sleep Timer (Minutes): 60
Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Display Sleep Timer (Minutes): 60
Automatic Restart On Power Loss: No
Wake On AC Change: No
Wake On Clamshell Open: Yes
Wake On LAN: Yes
Display Sleep Uses Dim: Yes
Battery Power:
System Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Display Sleep Timer (Minutes): 2
Wake On AC Change: No
Wake On Clamshell Open: Yes
Display Sleep Uses Dim: Yes
Reduce Brightness: Yes
Hardware Configuration:
UPS Installed: No
AC Charger Information:
Connected: Yes
Charging: Yes

Apple wont replace MacBook battery

Hi
I have a Macbook core duo. I bought it in November 2006, so it is about 18 months old. I have the extended AppleCare warranty on it.
Using coconut battery, my MacBook's battery has 188 charge cycles with 1823mah capacity left, or 32% capacity.
I was just at an Apple store where the genius said that this is normal and it is not defective as there is no "x" in the battery bar. So, Apple will not replace it.
I have an iBook from 2003 with 348 load cycles that still has 72% capacity, so I think that the macbook battery is defective, as it only lasts for 45 minutes now.
Should Apple replace the battery? How can I prove to the genius that it should be replaced?
Thanks!

Hi, and welcome to Apple Discussions.
First, try resetting the SMC:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303319
If you call in, they will have you try resetting the SMC first (at least, they had me do that).
See if that improves the battery's performance. That did double my battery time from 46 minutes to an hour and 27 minutes. However, my battery only had about 160 cycles on it, and an hour and 27 minutes seemed too little to me, so I called back. They shipped me a new battery.
Good luck.

MacBook battery has an "X" through it.

Hi.
I bought a MacBook in late 2006. Used it as a secondary computer for a year and a half (about) until one day my battery had an "x" through it on the status bar. I have an apple care protection plan, so I called apple, and they said there was actually a recall on the battery, so they sent me a new one.
All was fine... Until... Just over 3 months after they sent me the new battery, my battery icon again had an "x" though it. The battery is not at all recognizable by the computer. (system profiler says no battery installed).
So I called apple (mind you I still have almost a year on my Apple Care protection plan). They sent me a box to send my computer in, and three days later I got my MacBook back with a letter inside the box. The letter said (and I quote): " Our analysis has determined that although your battery no longer has the capacity to function at a level necessary for optimum operation of your unit, it is not defective." The letter also says: "...(apple) does not cover batteries whose capacity to function has depleted through normal use."
So basically what apple is telling me is that THE NORMAL LIFE OF A MACBOOK BATTERY IS THREE MONTHS!?!?!?
Apple has decided not to replace my battery because there is only a 90 day warranty on replacement batteries. (referring to recalled battery 3.5 months earlier)
I also tried the battery update, and no luck. Apple currently has my MacBook and is running diagnostics on the power/logic-board.
I hesitate to go buy a new battery, in fear that it will do this again, and apple will again tell me that they don't cover batteries whose capacity has depleted through normal use (of three months).....
Does anyone have any suggestions?? Anyone had this problem?

Call AppleCare and ask to speak to a Customer Relations person. Be sure you have all the documentation relating to your situation.
Beyond this there's nothing we can do to help you. This is both a hardware problem and a warranty problem.

My MacBook battery inflated

I have a MacBook 2.16GHz (Mid 2007) and bought that in March 2008.
Recently I took a close look at the bottom side and saw the battery does not exactly closed. After removing the battery, I found my battery inflated. I think the issue has happened few months ago or last year, I just didn't notify that. Because the battery only inflated slightly, I still can install it to my MacBook and read the battery data, 41 cycle count, 4922 mAH fully charged.
Then, I called Apple Technical Support at Taiwan (should be Asia Pacific support team). She told me that the battery aged and should not be used anymore. I need to buy a new one to replace it. She told me that the inflation is a indication of aged battery and notify the user should replace it with new one.
So, I have curious questions here.
1. if it is a "designed" signature or indication of aged battery, it cannot warn or notify users because not everyone checks the bottom side of MacBook daily. Users might know the issue after the track-pad had been damaged by the inflation, or battery explosion, or fire by the short circuit.
2. I had iBook G4, and there are ASUS and IBM laptops in my family. Their batteries do not have the issue. Aged battery only has less power capacity.
3. The so-called aged battery has only 41 cycle count and 4922 mAH capacity (about 90% of original capacity, and we know 5500mAH is a theoretical value). If the so-called "aged" battery didn't inflated, I still can use the battery with the only 90% charged capacity without buying new one. Even if the capacity has only 50%, I'm still happy to use it because I didn't use battery power for long time use.
I have no idea of any solutions. But definitely I don't like to and won't buy new Apple official battery because 1) it is more expansive, and 2) it could inflates again and damage other components of my MacBook (even I have Apple Care Protection Plan, but it is going to expire in next year). I could never spend money for this if the God d**n battery didn't inflate, no matter what the capacity is.
God bless your MacBook, MacBook Pro, iPad, iPod, iPhone, and everything of Apple's product which contains a battery.

We both know battery charge and discharge are slow chemical reactions. But they are controllable (won't cause fire or explosion like bomb or rapid chemical reactions) and then can be go to the market. Besides, the consumers should not keep using the inflated battery. That would lead to battery explosion or fire. Therefore, consumers also have responsibilities of keeping good habits of using batteries.
But it should not be a excuse for me because Apple Technical Support told me that is a battery protective mechanism and an indication. The inflation tells consumers the battery has aged and should be replaced. Batteries does not all work well in the way human designed it. It contains complex chemical reactions inside batteries and should be statistics and a probability issue. For all batteries being produced, they might have the following distribution (just for illustration)
2% not QA passed (cannot be recharged, cannot supply power, defects)
98% QA passed and shipped
In those 98% QA passed batteries, can we say they have the same condition and follow the same battery rule? NO, I think, because some of the problem could be emerged from normal use, for example (for illustration)
1% cannot be charged, cannot supply power after multiple charge/discharge.
1% cells will inflate. They will make the battery inflated after many months or years
98% normal and battery cell capacity become low
So, if we can call the first 1% batteries are defects, why the second 1% batteries are not defects. On the contrary, Apple tell me that is age battery.
So, even mine has only 41 cycle count and 4922mAH capacity after 2 years use, I might call it an age battery but I still would like to use it because other laptops' batteries are older than my MacBook's, *if the battery of MacBook didn't inflate*. There are many people have the same problem with Apple MacBook battery produced in 2006~2008. If the battery materials and inflation issue are a general case, there should be many battery inflation reports of other laptop vendors.

Where can I Buy a MacBook Battery for 13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008

Where can I Buy a new MacBook Battery for 13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008 online?

Amazon carry third party ones.
http://www.amazon.com/Upgraded-Version-Battery-Macbook-Aluminum/dp/B006ZGCH18/re f=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1422345231&sr=1-1&keywords=late+2008+macbook+battery
http://www.amazon.com/Egoway®-Battery-Macbook-Aluminum-Li-Polymer/dp/B00KOGO70O/ ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1422345231&sr=1-2&keywords=late+2008+macbook+battery

Macbook battery cycles

Hello, what are the battery cycles for a late 2009 MacBook. I see that it is starting to drain my battery like really fast, here I have been typing this and have watched my battery go down 10%. So I bought this battery app and it says that the cycles is at 350 I do not know if that is good or bad, so I just want some feedback and sugestions.
Thanks

Generally batteries with a cycle count of over 300 are considered depleted. Not that they won't function but they won't do as well as they did previously. I would suggest a new battery. You can purchase from Apple for about $129 in the USA. You may be able to find 3rd party batteries cheaper on eBay.
http://store.apple.com/us/search?find=macbook+battery
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2043212.m570.l1313&_nkw=macboo k+battery&_sacat=58058
Best of luck.

I've Just Replaced My Macbook Battery And The Turning Screw You Twist With A Penny Has Came Of What Do I Do

I've Just Replaced My Macbook Battery And The Turning Screw You Twist With A Penny Has Came Of What Do I Do

Don't worry I've sorted it! I just had to turn off Reminders as well in iCloud. Calendar then worked fine, even when I turned Calendar and Reminders back on.

Do I need to run my Macbook battery flat?

Will I prolong the life of my Macbook battery if I occasionally allow it to run flat?

Running it flat doesn't do anything special, but as Mort mentions Apple recommends that you calibrate your battery every few months as shown HERE.
Calibrating your battery really means calibrating the battery meter. It just resets the meter so that it gives a better estimate of the charge remaining.

Macbook battery won't charge suddenly

I'm having a problem with my macbook battery.
My mac won't seem to charge for some reason. Earlier today my mac showed an "X" in the battery on the menu bar. It wouldn't charge and the magsafe didn't light any color. I thought the charger that was broken, but i did an SMC reset and then the magsafe lit up green for a while and the percentage of battery life was shown on the menu bar again. But now the magsafe is not lit up any color and the mac is not charging eventhough it it plugged in. Any idea on what to do?
Model Information:
   Serial Number: W0037TPMVE1KB
   Manufacturer: SMP
   Unit Name: bq20z451
   Pack Lot Code: 0000
   PCB Lot Code: 0000
   Firmware Version: 0201
   Hardware Revision: 000A
   Cells Vision: 0164
   Information about the level of charge:
   Residual current (mAh): 4103
   Fully charged: No
   Charger: Yes
   Full charge capacity (mAh): 4971
   Information about the state:
   Cycle Number: 428
   Condition: Normal
   Battery installed: Yes
   Amperes (mA): -591
   Volts (mV): 11914

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
OS X is telling you that the battery has to be replaced as it's damaged.
If you have an Early 2008 or older MacBook Pro, you can buy the battery and install it yourself > http://store.apple.com/us/go/product/MA348LL/A
If you have a Late 2008 or newer MacBook Pro, take it to an Apple Store or reseller to get it replaced. You can also replace it yourself, but you will void the warranty if it's in warranty and the cost difference is small

Swollen macbook battery

Checked my macbook battery yesterday and noticed the battery was very swollen. Enough that it made the macbook rock when typing on it.
The model number is A1185
I have been looking for recall/swapout info on these batteries but cannot find anything.
Is there anywhere I can find out if this is something Apple will replace?
Odd thing is the battery work fine. Just a bit scared of it exploding if I leave it plugged in.
Thanks
Paul

Just to clarify... there wasn't actually a recall. They had extended the warranty period for an additional two years. A recall pretty much means you should return your battery... that wasn't really the case.
They are correct in saying that the battery is designed to swell and should not explode. Out of all the reported cases of swelling batteries, I haven't seen any result in a leak or explosion. Of the few leaking or burning battery reports I have seen, they were not attributed to swelling batteries. Now having said that certainly doesn't mean there isn't a problem. That's like having your brakes fail in your car and complaining to the manufacturer about it and them telling you "that's what the air bags are for". Just because it doesn't explode doesn't mean it is working properly. Also, a battery that continues to expand may flex the logic board enough to damage it or cause other functional problems... each of which would be directly related to the faulty battery. Sometimes you really do need to speak with the right person. This particular problem is best dealt with directly at an Apple Store or by calling Apple Customer Relations (which is not the same as the support people you generally talk to). You can reach Apple Customer Relations at:
(800) 767-2775
Give them a call or visit your local Apple Store (if you have one). Let them know how happy you have been with your MacBook except for this one problem which you find worrisome. I would be surprised if they don't get you a new battery.

My MacBook Pro Core Duo from 2006 shuts down randomly requiring frequent reboots to the point I had to abandon doing any project or anything on this MacBook Pro. Same thing occurs with the iMac dual core from 2007. MacBook battery replaced.

My MacBook Pro Core Duo from 2006 shuts down randomly requiring frequent reboots to the point I had to abandon doing any project or anything on this MacBook Pro. Same thing occurs with the iMac dual core from 2007. MacBook battery replaced. Is it internal battery for both, new logic board required, bad hard drive, or bad RAM?
Help.

Run an Apple Hardware Test using the original installation disk that has the AHT instructions on it.
Try SMC and PRAM resets:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379
It is possible that you may need a new PRAM battery.
Ciao.

MacBook Battery.

Hi,
I think there is a problem with my MacBook battery. Every time I plug the charger in the light stays solid green and does not change to orange. When I remove the charger the MacBook dies.
I got told that the battery could be fried thus the reason it's not charging.
Could this be the reason?
Thanks.

Hi,
I cannot remember exactly when I got my MacBook, I think it was around Feb 08 time.
*The battery icon says:*
Battery is not charging.
Power Source: Power Adapter.
*Here is the Power information.*
Model Information:
Serial Number: DP-ASMB016-3728-83c1
Manufacturer: DP
Device name: ASMB016
Pack Lot Code: 0002
PCB Lot Code: 0000
Firmware Version: 102a
Hardware Revision: 0500
Cell Revision: 0102
Charge Information:
Charge remaining (mAh): 0
Fully charged: No
Charging: No
Full charge capacity (mAh): 0
Health Information:
Cycle count: 234
Condition: Check battery
Battery Installed: Yes
Amperage (mA): 0
Voltage (mV): 5215
System Power Settings:
AC Power:
System Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Display Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Automatic Restart On Power Loss: No
Wake On AC Change: No
Wake On Clamshell Open: Yes
Wake On LAN: Yes
Display Sleep Uses Dim: Yes
Battery Power:
System Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes): 10
Display Sleep Timer (Minutes): 2
Wake On AC Change: No
Wake On Clamshell Open: Yes
Display Sleep Uses Dim: Yes
Reduce Brightness: Yes
Hardware Configuration:
UPS Installed: No
AC Charger Information:
Connected: Yes
Charging: No
Thanks.

Macbook Battery Information

Hi,
I am looking for original Macbook Battery A1185 information of a new battery.
Here's mine:
Battery Information:
Model Information:
Manufacturer:          DP
Device Name:          ASMB016
Pack Lot Code:          2
PCB Lot Code:          0
Firmware Version:          110
Hardware Revision:          500
Cell Revision:          200
Charge Information:
Charge Remaining (mAh):          1347
Fully Charged:          No
Charging:          No
Full Charge Capacity (mAh):          4901
Health Information:
Cycle Count:          15
Condition:          Normal
Battery Installed:          Yes
Amperage (mA):          -2364
(once the ac adpator was connected this changed to: Amperage (mA):          2002)
Voltage (mV):          11009
I wonder if the "genuine Macbook battery replacement I bought" is genuine and if it is new?

It is an "original Apple Battery" A1185, sold as genuine and new.
(Genuine Battery Apple A1185 A1181 MA561 MA566 13" White). I am currently charging it...
Capacity is stated to be 97% (4901 mAh vs the design capacity 5020 mAh). I am not complaining since it only cost 38 € vs. the 120 € from apple shop. Just wondering if it is really an original or a very very good imitation. It has all stickers and numbers and looks identical to my old one which decided to swell to double size...

Can a Macbook battery get too cold?

Can a Macbook battery get too cold? I am worried that the new battery I ordered online got too cold while being delivered, and while sitting outside for a few hours. Could this damage the battery or cause it to have a shorter life?

Hi. It should not harm it. But let it get to about room temp before you install it.

Is my MacBook battery defective?

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