MacBook Pro Battery swollen and trackpad button sticking

My 17" MacBook Pro mouse button was sticking. I initially thought it was dust or dirt of something but later during a presentation, my MacBook just shut down instantly at about 70% charge.

It turned out that the battery has swollen and was pressing against the bottom of the trackpad causing the button to appear stuck. A cell had failed which caused the instant power loss once the power dropped below 70%. I went to the Apple store to buy another battery and much to my surprise, they replaced the battery with a new one for free. No apple care and the macbook pro was 2 years old ish. Very cool. System is working fine now with a brand new replacement battery. The trackpad button is back to normal also.

Comments

[Mel T.]

Wow! I got the exact same problems.

And you just made me realize the link between the trackpad stuck button and the battery that I noticed swollen this morning.

Just removed it and my trackpad button is now working just fine.

Glad I took the 3 years care plan.

[Violet]

I had the exact same problem, but when I took it in today they told me they stopped replacing these May 31, 2009, so now (August 2009), I had to pay for a new one. Annoyed and out $129, but at least my laptop is working again.

[Adam]

Wow, exact same thing happened to me. I too figured it might be dirt or something just preventing it from functioning properly, but still wasn't working. I just kept working through links on google until I diagnosed it. I freaking love the internet! Too bad Congress wants to take that away from us and repackage it similar to TV or Radio. Check out Senate bill 773...

[smithsamanta]

This is that very information I searched for. Thank you very much!

[xyz]

My mac is 1+ years old and recently had a swollen battery that affected the trackpad, too. However I didn't realized it for several weeks because I always use an external mouse, unless when I travel. Once a while, the left button of of external mouse would appear to be not working -- you could click it but nothing happened. The only thing I could do was reboot and then things would be normal for a while until it happened again. I tried different mice to no avail until one day I used the machine with the lid open and found the trackpad stuck. Once I removed the battery to peek inside, the trackpad and the mouse are normal again!

[generic viagra]

Its a lot cheaper to buy a generic battery for my ibook rather than buying one from the apple store...has anyone had any problems with a generic one? do they work the same or are they a lot worse?|

[Acai Berry Optimum]

I've been one of your major follower this year... your brilliant and educative post really beats my imaginations each time drop by to read blogs... i say keep the good work

[Web Design Guru - Curtis]

This is what is happening to my macbook pro as well. Thanks for the info!

I wonder... Not only is my trackpad button not functioning correctly but I have noticed that when I type sometimes the cursor will jump to a different spot in the text box/document. Very weird! I'm sure that it has to do with the swollen battery. Going to my local Apple Store tomorrow to pick up a new battery.

[Round and Brown]

I wonder... Not only is my trackpad button not functioning correctly but I have noticed that when I type sometimes the cursor will jump to a different spot in the text box/document. Very weird! I'm sure that it has to do with the swollen battery. Going to my local Apple Store tomorrow to pick up a new battery.

[Rob M. in Indy]

Exact same situation here. Battery swell started a week ago. 4 or 5 days ago the track pad became either very sensitive or seemingly unresponsive. Yesterday, in BootCamp running Win XP, typing was impossible. The cursor was jumping all around and each line return and character placement seemed to be controlled by someone else. Now, searching the battery issue online, I find out there are all related. Go figure!

I am off to the Indianapolis Apple Store today to see if there is any (free) remedy. I had AppleCare but I think it has expired. Wish me luck!