MacBook Pro 2011 battery exploded

Question

MacBook Pro 2011 battery exploded

I went to use my MacBook Pro 2011 this morning and saw that it wasn't sitting properly on the desk. When I looked underneath, the base plate was severely buckled as though someone had dropped it from a great height. As I knew that wasn't the case I investigated further and with some effort managed to remove the base plate only to find that the battery had exploded - well, it had expanded to at least twice it's size and the pressure had buckled the base plate.

I'm stunned and shocked that this could happen and of course very concerned about what to do next. Although a 2011 model, the machine has been well looked after and is worth around £600 in second hand value. I'm sure that Apple will deny all responsibility as the warranty has run out but could someone help me out and advise me what to do next?

MacBook Pro, iOS 8.4.1

Posted on Sep 9, 2015 5:08 AM

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Answer 1

GhonaZ

Level 3

572 points

Sep 9, 2015 7:18 AM in response to arthurfromstokeferry

Take out your battery and replace it for a new one. Check https://www.macsales.com/ to buy a replacement battery and use https://www.Ifixit.com

or the macsales instructional video to correctly replace your battery. Don't use your computer until you have replaced the battery as use of the battery in this state could do further damage to the battery and surrounding components.

Good luck!

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Answer 2

Sep 9, 2015 7:30 AM in response to GhonaZ

Thanks for the reply GhonaZ, I have been looking around for replacement batteries and I've found a few negative comments about batteries not performing properly (discharge quickly, don't last very long) so I will have to choose carefully (can't use macsales as I am in UK). I also found some comments which suggested that Apple has a way of detecting if a replacement battery is genuine or not and will knock down the processor speed if a non-Apple battery is used. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks again!

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Answer 3

John Galt

Level 10

160,282 points

Sep 10, 2015 5:23 AM in response to arthurfromstokeferry

Take your MBP to Apple for evaluation.

Built-in batteries are not user-replaceable. There are many anecdotal reports on this site of damage fatal to the MBP resulting from DIY attempts to replace them.

Message was edited after posting.

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Answer 4

Sep 10, 2015 5:27 AM in response to John Galt

Thanks John, although after the last reply I made the decision to replace the battery - should arrive tomorrow! The videos I have seen all show how easy the battery is to replace and I have ordered from a reputable supplier with a decent warranty and 60 day money back guarantee. Do you know why the DIY attempts have failed?

Thanks

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Answer 5

John Galt

Level 10

160,282 points

Sep 10, 2015 9:30 AM in response to arthurfromstokeferry

It would be easy to blame those reports of failure on user stupidity, but lacking sufficient evidence either there is no way to be certain. All that is known are reports of sparks and smoke followed by an apparently dead MBP.

I understand there are reputable vendors selling replacement batteries, but their warranty will extend only to the battery itself, is usually on the order of 60 to 90 days or so, unlike Apple's one year battery warranty, and if it (or you) cause damage to the MBP you're out of luck. Even allegedly brand new Apple-branded batteries obtained from reputable vendors might have been exposed to environmental extremes or other abuse that cannot be determined, resulting in limited service life at best, and possibly damage to your MBP.

Considering that Apple does not sell internal Mac parts directly, you have to ask yourself where these allegedly "brand new genuine Apple" batteries come from. Were they rejected by Apple for some reason? Did they fail quality assurance inspection? Were they subject to water / heat / other damage during shipping? Are they simply counterfeit? Who knows.

I have no doubt that any reputable vendor will refund the battery's purchase price if you can prove it (and not you) ruined your Mac in the course of installing it, but considering that Apple takes all that responsibility on themselves for $179, the difference in cost does not strike me as worth the risk.

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