Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

"Service Battery" warning - what can be done?

My 15" Mid-2009 Macbook Pro is giving the 'Service Battery" warning. System information says:


"

Battery Information:


Model Information:

Serial Number: W0934AD9777VA

Manufacturer: SMP

Device Name: bq20z451

Pack Lot Code: 0

PCB Lot Code: 0

Firmware Version: 3

Hardware Revision: 3

Cell Revision: 100

Charge Information:

Charge Remaining (mAh): 4477

Fully Charged: Yes

Charging: No

Full Charge Capacity (mAh): 4477

Health Information:

Cycle Count: 377

Condition: Service Battery

Battery Installed: Yes

Amperage (mA): -1157

Voltage (mV): 12156

"


So it looks as if the battery is OK, but it is not charging properly. I obviously have to take it to be repaired - but what can they do? I understood that they can't replace the battery, so what are the options? It has only been through 377 charge cycles - that doesn't sound a lot to me - but is it? Shouldn't a laptop that's only just over 2 1/2 years old still have a perfectly good battery??

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.1), 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo - 4GB 1TB

Posted on Apr 17, 2012 12:45 PM

Reply
61 replies

Apr 17, 2012 12:57 PM in response to Fustbariclation

Shouldn't a laptop that's only just over 2 1/2 years old still have a perfectly good battery??

Over a very large sample of laptop batteries, yes. You do not have a very large sample, you have one laptop, and it could be doing anything.


Make an appointment to visit the genius bar at your local Apple Store. The evaluation is free and they can lay out your options once they get a chance to test your Mac. Bring the power adapter as well. Back up before you go, in case they need to keep it overnight.

Apr 18, 2012 5:01 AM in response to Fustbariclation

The 1000 cycle batteries have been around for a few years (pretty much all the models with non-removable batteries). I wouldn't say it was a "design objective" but more the nature of the technology at the time. The number of cycles you go through is directly related to how often you run on battery. One cycle is one full discharge and charge. For example, if your battery is at 100% and you discharge it to 50% and then charge it back up to full, that would be 1/2 cycle. You would need to do that twice for it to count as a full cycle. Likewise, if your battery were at 100% and you let it discharge down to 90% before recharging it, that would be 1/10th of a cycle. You would need to do that 10 times for it to equal one cycle. The more you run on battery, the more quickly you can run through cycles. If you fully discharge and charge your battery every day, you can go through 300 cycles in less than a year. If you only occasionally run on battery power, it may take years before you hit 300 cycles. Some people are under the misconception that they should fully discharge the battery before recharging it. This was true for older battery technologies (Nickel Metal Hydride / Nickel Cadmium), but this is not the case for the lithium ion / polymer batteries which have been used in notebooks for probably close to a decade now. Fully discharging them with each use will greatly reduce their life. There are many people who simply have to run their battery down daily because they don't have access to power. Those situations are certainly understandable. You shouldn't, however, fully discharge your battery as a matter of practice.

Jul 25, 2012 6:57 AM in response to Fustbariclation

Battery Information:


Model Information:

Serial Number: 6N91801GQ2VLA

Manufacturer: SMP

Device Name: bq20z951

Pack Lot Code: 0

PCB Lot Code: 0

Firmware Version: 002a

Hardware Revision: 000a

Cell Revision: 100

Charge Information:

Charge Remaining (mAh): 12

Fully Charged: Yes

Charging: No

Full Charge Capacity (mAh): 12

Health Information:

Cycle Count: 41

Condition: Service Battery

Battery Installed: Yes

Amperage (mA): 179

Voltage (mV): 12538


My (late 2008) MacBookPro5,1 just hit 'Service Battery' /cry.

Only 41 cycles, and now it's fully charged at 12 mAh.

That said, I've enjoyed great performance for years, so I'm ok with this.

I might just get a retinabook now anyway, so this single battery lasted the entire time I used this machine.

My usage was mostly from an AC adaptor.

Jul 29, 2012 4:44 AM in response to Fustbariclation

Hi, I've got the same Mac, same age, and the same "service battery" warning.

Should I be in a hurry to get this checked out? Mostly this Mac is used close to a power supply, and therefore plugged into the mains. Battery not so important. Unless this battery warning means that the battery will eventually overheat and melt the inside of the Mac, or explode, etc... is it just a question of battery life, or are there other things to consider?

Jul 29, 2012 8:09 AM in response to Fustbariclation

Hi, I have a mid 2008 17" macbook pro. Last year (2011) I had my battery replaced becuase of the infamous "battery bulge" issue. I went to the nearest Authorized Mac service center in Bangkok and had the battery replaced with a new one. Plus, I noticed that my battery hours have significantly dropped to a mere 30 min after a full charge. Now, less than a year later, my battery condition status is showing "Replace battery NOW!". So I physically checked the new battery and to my surprize, the "Bulge" has returned.


Details:


Charge Information:

Charge Remaining (mAh): 413

Fully Charged: No

Charging: Yes

Full Charge Capacity (mAh): 2085

Health Information:

Cycle Count: 384

Condition: Replace Now

Battery Installed: Yes

Amperage (mA): 2327

Voltage (mV): 11916


Does anybody know the warranty any new batteries are supposed to have. And why is the BULGE happening on a less-than a year old battery? I know that I'm getting a new mac with HASWELL next year, but this is unacceptable for any given battery standard. Im not even half-way through my charge cycles. If anyone has any suggestions, please do let me know.

Aug 3, 2012 6:40 PM in response to Dom_101

Mine is only 98 on my early 2011 13-inch MBP. I just recently upgraded to Mountain Lion, I noticed that battery life dropped significantly and this morning I saw Service Battery on the Menu Bar.


Battery Information:


Model Information:

Serial Number:

Manufacturer: DP

Device Name:

Pack Lot Code: 0

PCB Lot Code: 0

Firmware Version: 201

Hardware Revision: 2

Cell Revision: 158

Charge Information:

Charge Remaining (mAh): 2772

Fully Charged: No

Charging: Yes

Full Charge Capacity (mAh): 2801

Health Information:

Cycle Count: 98

Condition: Service Battery

Battery Installed: Yes

Amperage (mA): 300

Voltage (mV): 12083

Aug 17, 2012 11:37 AM in response to Fustbariclation

ive also only started to see this Service Battery Warning since upgrading to ML today


Battery Information:


Model Information:

Serial Number: D8611850163DGDLAW

Manufacturer: SMP

Device Name: bq20z451

Pack Lot Code: 0

PCB Lot Code: 0

Firmware Version: 406

Hardware Revision: 2

Cell Revision: 158

Charge Information:

Charge Remaining (mAh): 3262

Fully Charged: No

Charging: Yes

Full Charge Capacity (mAh): 4545

Health Information:

Cycle Count: 297

Condition: Service Battery

Battery Installed: Yes

Amperage (mA): 1974

Voltage (mV): 12142

"Service Battery" warning - what can be done?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.