2008 Macbook Pro battery issues

[jajafofo]

My Macbook Pro Battery was working fine. Now all of the sudden it won't charge at all. Looking at the battery status I see this:

Battery Information:

Model Information:
Serial Number: Sony-ASMB012-38c4-d7a1
Manufacturer: Sony
Device name: ASMB012
Pack Lot Code: 0000
PCB Lot Code: 0000
Firmware Version: 0110
Hardware Revision: 0500
Cell Revision: 0303
Charge Information:
Charge remaining (mAh): 0
Fully charged: No
Charging: No
Full charge capacity (mAh): 0
Health Information:
Cycle count: 19
Condition: Check Battery
Battery Installed: Yes
Amperage (mA): 0
Voltage (mV): 4176

Cycle count is 19??? I'm out of warranty, but this seems like a defective battery. Anybody had any experience with this??

Thanks,

Matt

 

[iforbes]

Is the cycle count correct? Do you have the machine plugged in almost 100% of the time?

 

[jajafofo]

Is the cycle count correct? Do you have the machine plugged in almost 100% of the time?

I used to use it on battery most of the time, but all of the sudden it wouldn't even charge so I have to have it plugged in all the time now. If I recall correctly, the count was right around 200 the last time I looked a week or so ago. The track pad started acting funny right before it stopped charging, but now the pad is fine. I'm thinking it swelled, pressing on the track pad, then just gave up the ghost and the swelling went away??

 

[GGJstudios]

Try resetting the SMC and if that works in helping it charge, calibrate the battery.

This should answer most, if not all, of your battery questions:

Apple Notebook Battery FAQ​

 

[jajafofo]

I tried resetting the SMC last night with no luck. I'll take a look at the battery FAQ, thanks!

 

[dima39]

Time to change battery, IMO

I'm also owner of MBP 2008.
When trackpad started work strangely i found that battery was swollen (around 400 cycles, almost 3 year old).
Bought non-original battery from Ebay for 50 USD.

 

[GGJstudios]

I'm also owner of MBP 2008.
When trackpad started work strangely i found that battery was swollen (around 400 cycles, almost 3 year old).
Bought non-original battery from Ebay for 50 USD.

I would never trust or recommend a battery that didn't come from Apple. Too many problems have been reported with knockoff batteries.

 

[dima39]

I would never trust or recommend a battery that didn't come from Apple. Too many problems have been reported with knockoff batteries.

50+ cycles now with no problems, normally keeps 3+ hours.
I'm mostly work from wallcharger, so i decided spent difference for new WD750Gb Blue and chip caddy
Original from Apple store has 2-star satisfaction rating, so i decided don't spend 150-200$ with shipment in Ukraine.

 

[miniConvert]

This type of battery degrades not just due to cycles but also due to age - they have a limited life right from the day they leave the factory.

Your battery from 2008 almost certainly needs replacing. The fact that it swelled up confirms that all's not well.

Time for a new one Go Apple, though.