diagnosing a battery replacement problem

Don Spark wrote:

Maybe I was unclear. These are the main questions I have:

"Is there something I can do to diagnose this problem. Is it possible there is some other hardware or system problem? How would I test this battery accurately?"

You can't really if you installed an aftermarket battery. The battery management system if a finely tuned setup that's designed around an OEM Apple battery which include battery monitoring electronics on the board. That's what stores battery statistics like charge-discharge cycles and where the battery management stores info to estimate the remaining capacity and total capacity. When you got an aftermarket battery, you're just hoping that it gets along with the Apple hardware. All your symptoms are signs that the battery management system can't accurately predict anything.

You have a low-quality battery. I'd recommend just putting your old battery back in if you still have it, and then go to an Apple Store or AASP to see if they might be able to install a new one. Other than that, the one from OWC may be the most trustworthy of the aftermarket ones.

What model MBP? The A1322 battery was used for a long time, including some models that are now considered "vintage" by Apple. That OEM battery is still available from Apple. It was used up to the 13” mid-2012 MBP (my model), which was discontinued in late 2016. A few weeks ago I was shown the part in the Apple parts inventory when I asked if I could still get one for mine.

However, I’m unsure if they’ll install one in your machine since it’s considered “vintage” under the five year parts support plan. I don’t see why they couldn’t since they still have the part, but I’ve never been able to get a definitive answer from any Apple employee about the availability of any part for a particular model without providing a serial number. Also, you’ve already installed an aftermarket battery, which Apple considers non user-serviceable. The usual requirement for Apple to install an OEM replacement is for a battery health diagnostic under 80% and once they do the test they'll know it’s not an OEM battery. Do you still have the original battery?

Also - Apple says that "vintage" devices may still be serviced by Apple Authorized Service Providers if in California.

Vintage and obsolete products - Apple Support

Owners of vintage Mac products may obtain service and parts from Apple service providers within the state of California, United States.

Don Spark wrote:

aluminum mid 2010 macbook pro 7,1

This one:

Batteries for MacBook Pro 13-inch (2009-2012) Non Retina

There shouldn't be a difference though. I've given up linking battery replacement instructions (they've been removed) but you can look it up and it's supposed to be the same A1322 battery for all the 13" Unibody models, including the polycarbonate ones.

I am completely sold on getting an Apple OEM battery, but the only way Apple or an AASP will install one (and they don't sell them loose) is if they find an OEM one there to begin with. The batteries themselves also have manufacturing information on them, and a battery diagnostic that indicates some oddity such as a battery made well before the machine or that looks like it came out of another machine might result in them refusing to service it.

I don't think there's anything wrong with seeking aftermarket parts when there's no other choice. I went to an Apple Store where an employee flat out told me that I shouldn't trust an OEM Apple battery for my 2007 MacBook any more since at best it's been sitting on a shelf for three years dying from neglect if nobody had recharged it. A new lithium rechargeable battery should at the most sit on a shelf for 6 months. I bought my MBP new in box, and looking at coconutBattery info, it looks like it the battery was likely made about 9 months before I got it. It seems to have suffered a little bit of permanent capacity loss, as it was reporting about 94% battery health after the first few cycles, and right now after less than 100 cycles (mostly on power adapter) I'm seeing 85%.

Visit OWC where you should find reliable batteries for your model. However, Apple no longer makes batteries so whatever you get will be refurbished, I believe. But OWC batteries are refurbished Apple products.

Don Spark wrote:

OWC does not have a battery for this model of mackbook mid 2010 aluminum unibody.

Any other suggestions on most trustworthy aftermarket battery ?

MacBook or MacBook Pro? The mid-2010 MacBook was the last polycarbonate MacBook, and OWC has a replacement battery for it.

Replacement Batteries For 13" MacBooks Late 2009 - Mid 2010

If it's the mid-2010 MBP, they have that too.

Batteries for MacBook Pro 13-inch (2009-2012) Non Retina

The part numbers are slightly different (BAP13MBU65W vs BAP13MBU65V). However, I thought they're supposed to be an equivalent to the Apple OEM A1322 battery. That's what I see in a battery replacement guide for the mid-2010 Unibody MacBook.

Just to add to what the others have stated, when it comes to batteries you usually get what you pay for. The sweet taste of low price is soon replaced by the bitterness of poor performance.

There is no way to make such determinations. Hardware problems can only be diagnosed at an Apple shop.