weird battery problem with MBP CD

[redrabbit]

something is up with my battery (or possibly something else). everytime ive been running it in class lately, it shuts off at about 40-50%, with no warning at all. i dont know if its a battery thinking it is out of charge (Which would be weird because i just recalibrated it last week), or a heat issue or what. I know the battery isnt really running out, because i can turn it back on a bit later, its at 40%. any ideas?

I've had the computer for a year, and I've only run into the problem this semester.

Also, minor problem, but sometimes my light on my Magsafe power adaptor randomly goes out. Any ides for that, too?

 

[mad jew]

Try resetting the SMC and the re-calibrating the battery.

 

[anim8or]

something is up with my battery (or possibly something else). everytime ive been running it in class lately, it shuts off at about 40-50%, with no warning at all. i dont know if its a battery thinking it is out of charge (Which would be weird because i just recalibrated it last week), or a heat issue or what. I know the battery isnt really running out, because i can turn it back on a bit later, its at 40%. any ideas?

I've had the computer for a year, and I've only run into the problem this semester.

Also, minor problem, but sometimes my light on my Magsafe power adaptor randomly goes out. Any ides for that, too?

I had this exact problem.

Your looking at a faulty battery, contact apple and see if you are eligble for a replacement.

I was still under warranty so got mine replaced. I had to take it to the nearest Apple Repair Centre, they tested my MBP to make sure it wasn't a logic or motherboard fault, they knew it was the battery from the moment i told them the problem but it is procedure to test the hardware of the MBP too.

Hope this helps.

 

[iSee]

I second what anim8or said.

I too had the same problem. I replaced the battery and the problem was solved. I was (and am) still under AppleCare which covered the replacement.

Also, there was a battery recall that might cover your computer. Go to Apple's support site, type in various serial/model numbers and find out if this is covered.

A nice thing is that Apple sent me a new battery overnight. All I had to do was put my old battery in the same box with the provided return label and send it off. It is a really nice way to handle this kind of thing.

 

[mad jew]

I agree but you may as well try the SMC reset for ***** and giggles.

 

[redrabbit]

Interesting. Thanks for the advice. I wonder why it would only start doing it this year, though. Oh well. Do you guys think I'll get better results from Apple if I call them directly or take it to a authorized campus store (no official Apple stores around me)

 

[mad jew]

Did you try the reset? A battery is a consumable so they eventually die, but yours should still be fine. If you bought it from the campus store then take it back to them. Otherwise take it back to Apple directly.

 

[anim8or]

Interesting. Thanks for the advice. I wonder why it would only start doing it this year, though. Oh well. Do you guys think I'll get better results from Apple if I call them directly or take it to a authorized campus store (no official Apple stores around me)

Call apple directly, its not an apple store you need anyway. Just an authorised apple repair centre.

Resetting the smc will not cure this problem. It wont do any harm but is really just a waste of time!

The reason why it has taken so long to show itself is that the cells in the battery are now dead enough to give up working at a noticeable level. I was told that it is likely that one of the (i think) 6 cells in the battery was more than likely faulty from day 1 and it takes a while for this to affect the neighbouring cells, it spreads and basically kills the other battery cells.

Call apple, they will send you a new one if you give them credit card details to assure them that the old battery will be returned, if you dont have a credit card then they will send you to the nearest apple repair centre and the repair centre will test the battery, and probably your MBP, and get you a new battery.

The whole process took me a working week, but i was only without my MBP overnight.

Good luck

 

[bmcgrath]

Just call Apple up and tell them whats wrong. I had exact same problem. They didn't ask too many questions and just sent me a new one in the post. And don't bother going to an Apple store I went to a few to get my battery fixed and they told me that this is just normal for a laptop of its age and use. hah! Yeh right!