Contrary to what some people believe, this is NOT a coincidence. And, Apple Support doesn't moniter any of these forums to try to indentify troubleshooting issues. In fact, getting them to acknowledge a new issue that is not known to them, but IS known to the rest of Google, is ridiculously difficult; oftentimes, requiring direct and repeated requests to talk to 2nd level support who are just as often surprised that 1st level support hasn't heard of the issue before and is easily able to troubleshoot.
The Apple Store's solution is either to charge you for a replacement part (ridiculously expensive) or replace the part for free (still expensive because the cost will be passed on to consumers one way or another). I wonder if it really is easier and more cost effective to do it the way they are rather than actually fix the hardware or push a software fix in an update. It's certainly not an integrity-driven way to conduct business (much evidence to support this despite the marketing and in-crowd style following).
That all being said:
==>>The common factor is the Mountain Lion upgrade + the sudden "Service Battery" notification<<==
- I am getting a "Service Battery" notificiation ONLY AFTER upgrading to Mountain Lion.
- I can charge my battery to 100%. But, the adapter charge light or green light turns completely off after awhile. I have to knock the contact and the light turns back on (either green if fully charged or orange as it charges). BUT the "Service Battery" notification is still on.
- I reset the SMC, but that turned my fan on perpetual high, slowed my system, my keyboard dimmer wasn't functioning, and there was an "X" in my batter icon. So... I reset it again, and back to normal. Still with the "Service Battery"
- I have access to a newer model adapter with a different style connecter. I have put the old one in my laptop case for if/when I have to take my lappie into a store. I'm checking to see if the green/orange light turns off like on the old style adapter. Will take a bit. I'll update/amend this post in the next hour or so, or post a follow up comment if the adapter issue doesn't resolve with the new adapter. This old/new adapter thing may be an adjacent issue and not a cause.
Thank you to PeterMac87 for the link. I will check it out and hope that it gets to the attention of Apple Support. For the number of times I've tried to find such a thing, you'd think they'd make it easier to find. Unless that's the point.