MBP Out of Warranty, Battery swollen.

[InkMaster]

Hey guys, quick emergency question for all of you. Today I woke up to find that the battery in my MBP swollen to the point where it actually lifts the MBP in the air.

My problem is that this MBP isn't under AppleCare atm. Will the replacement battery be free or will I have to pay for it? Anyone had such experience?

Thanks.

 

[Eidorian]

I'd take it in nonetheless. You would think they'd rather replace the battery then have it perhaps explode.

 

[InkMaster]

I'd take it in nonetheless. You would think they'd rather replace the battery then have it perhaps explode.

Yeah, thats what I was thinking also, but just wanted to know if anyone else had such experiences yet (with Apple replacing batteries which were out of warranty).

 

[Eidorian]

Yeah, thats what I was thinking also, but just wanted to know if anyone else had such experiences yet (with Apple replacing batteries which were out of warranty).

Support has told me that the batteries have an independent warranty from AppleCare, if you have the 3 year kind, but they've seemed more than happy to replace it. Then again I was working education at the time.

 

[InkMaster]

Well...

Just came back from my local Apple Store... got rejected.

As they say the battery is "used up"

If anyone cares, these are the specs on my battery atm

Charge Information:
Charge remaining (mAh): 2502
Fully charged: No
Charging: No
Full charge capacity (mAh): 4145
Health Information:
Cycle count: 303
Condition: Good
Battery Installed: Yes
Amperage (mA): -2177
Voltage (mV): 10833

And iStat reports 66% health.

 

[aerove]

Yep .. the battery replacement doesnt come under the macbook pro warranty.. u'd better detach the battery immediately from the mbp and take it over to an apple store.

 

[Eidorian]

Well...

Just came back from my local Apple Store... got rejected.

As they say the battery is "used up"

If anyone cares, these are the specs on my battery atm

Charge Information:
Charge remaining (mAh): 2502
Fully charged: No
Charging: No
Full charge capacity (mAh): 4145
Health Information:
Cycle count: 303
Condition: Good
Battery Installed: Yes
Amperage (mA): -2177
Voltage (mV): 10833

And iStat reports 66% health.

I'm surprised they didn't replace a bulging battery. Is it just no longer flush with the case or is the packaging separating?

 

[InkMaster]

I'm surprised they didn't replace a bulging battery. Is it just no longer flush with the case or is the packaging separating?

Both

And they want a 100 for a replacement

Makes my MBP wobble around the desk like an iPhone 3G/Touch G2

 

[rafatmit]

I would try again with a different Apple store or calling Apple. This strikes me as a safety issue.

 

[areusche]

Try calling Apple.

I had a student come up to me with an identical problem. I don't know if she had apple care or not.

She called the 800 Apple Care number and they swapped it no questions asked.

When did you buy your Macbook Pro? It might be part of that bad batch of batteries during the recall awhile ago. That girl I ended up helping bought hers during the recall time, but had no problems up until a week ago.

 

[MagicWok]

To me, what they said at the the store to you is a load of b*£&$%^$ lol

So when a battery gets "used up" is expands? LOL Keep pressuring Apple, this is something they shouldn't be getting away with. Just keep escalating it till you get results...

Also - if you haven't already, don't run the MBP off the battery if you can for the time being. Better being safe than sorry. MBP's are perfectly capable of running with the power cable attached and no battery installed. Just be very carefull you don't know the magsafe connection - thankfully it's quite strong. Inconvenient, but better than the battery exploding and taking out your whole laptop with it...

 

[Eidorian]

Try calling Apple.

I had a student come up to me with an identical problem. I don't know if she had apple care or not.

She called the 800 Apple Care number and they swapped it no questions asked.

When did you buy your Macbook Pro? It might be part of that bad batch of batteries during the recall awhile ago. That girl I ended up helping bought hers during the recall time, but had no problems up until a week ago.

I'd give this a try and check the battery recall as well.

 

[Abstract]

I would try again with a different Apple store or calling Apple. This strikes me as a safety issue.

Yep, that's what I'd do. Try a different Apple store, or try phoning Apple themselves. Tell them that this is not just a massive cosmetic issue, it's also a safety issue. This can't be normal, or safe.

 

[tcphoto]

You failed to tell us exactly how old the battery is and how many cycles are on it. If the "Genius" chose not to replace it, it is best to call Apple and see if they will replace it. From what I have read Apple will replace it if it is under 80% of capacity and 300 cycles.