Chosen Solution

So here is the problem: I wanted to upgrade a Macbook Pro 15 Mid 2012 from 4 GB of RAM to 8 GB and switch the HDD for an SSD. I followed the regular procedure: Turned off the macbookOpened the caseDisconnected the batteryMade the RAM and SSD replacementReconnected the batteryCase back on After doing so, I installed macOS Sierra and noticed that the battery icon was gone. I tried disconecting the power cord and the laptop shut down. I looked over the internet, tried the SMC reset, the P-RAM reset, tried disconecting the battery and reconecting, all that to no success. The laptop was bought in 2013, the battery has 3 years of intense usage, I don’t know the cycles or life as the laptop wasn’t mine. In coconutBattery, the battery doesn’t show up. Is this a case of a dead battery only? Could it be the RAM or SSD causing trouble? I get the battery icon with an X only on login screen, after loging in i don’t even get the battery icon. Should I get a new battery to test it out? I mean, the laptop works great with the power cord conected, nothing fails… Can you help figure out whats wrong? Atualizar (10-12-2016) UPDATE I have not been able to get a new battery to test it, but I tried resetting the SMC several times (The light in the charger does not change…); I did the P RAM reset several times too; Using a multimeter, is there a way I can check if the pins of the battery connector are receiving power? I mean, I have been reading a lot about SMC getting fried and I’m praying that’s not the scenario here… I did not see any sparks or whatever like in some people cases… I used a proper plastic pry tool to remove the battery all the times, so i don’t think I could have caused any king of short. Whats bothering me is the coincidence, has anyone ever experienced a battery that dies from being disconnected for a while and then reconnected? It was 89% when I got the laptop before the update. Update (12/11/2016)

Here are photos of the logic board. If anyone could point me out the components I should check with a multimeter, I would be very grateful.

Try resetting the SMC Connect the power adapter to the Mac. On the MacBook / Pro’s keyboard, hold down the Shift+Control+Option keys and the Power button at the same time. Release all keys and the power button at the same time – the little light on the MagSafe adapter may change colors briefly to indicate the SMC has reset. That failing zap the PRAM Shut down your machine. Yes, all the way down, not sleep or logging out. Press the power button and then press command-option-p-r. … Hold those keys down until your Mac reboots again and you here the startup chime. Let go of the keys and let your Mac reboot normally.

  1. If the Macbook turns off straight away when the charger is unplugged, will most likely be the battery.
  2. If you unplug the charger and the screen goes off (but the sleep light or fan still spins for a bit before turning off, showing it is running from the battery) it will be either the SDA or SCL resistors, which allow the battery to communicate with the SMC. Would recommend getting a battery if it is the first situation. If it is the 2nd, try a new battery anyway before looking into the logic board. Visually check the board for liquid damage or burnt components too, especially around the 28 pin IC to the right of the RAM and above the battery connector. EDIT: SDA and SCL resistor location

I would recommend you start by double checking the battery to logic board connection. Did you damage one of the wires from the battery? Otherwise, I agree you’ll need a second battery here to double check things.

Just had the same issue with someone’s 2012 13” rMBP. However, it just started doing it by itself. Was never disassembled. Charger glowed orange, and I was able to power on if I held down the power button while plugging in the charger, although it ran with fans on full speed, and battery wasn’t recognized. Checked out the battery and connectors physically, but it looked good, apart from some dust. No swelling or the like. Pressing the power button alone would spin the fans in slow bursts, but nothing else. Tried SMC and PRAM resets multiple times, didn’t work. Then I tried plugging in the 85w charger from my own 2013 15”, and it turned on instantly, battery recognized too. It was on zero percent charge though, but started charging normally after a few minutes. Maybe the battery was so drained that the smaller charger couldn’t kick it into life - it does have lithium batteries, and this can also happen on 18v power tools lithium batteries, where you have to do a few things before they will charge, if they are completely drained. Normally a Mac will shut down by itself before they drain completely, but I’m not sure what happened in this case. Works now though, also with the smaller charger.

I have the same problem. Please help me I plugged my computer for charging overnight. This morning when I plugged out the wire the displays shut downs quickly and it is not charging. There is no battery information also available in the system information page. Please help me what could be the problem.

What value of resistance are we looking at on these two resistors.

I have the same problem Also I have two A1286 and three batteries A1382 All three butteries works normally on first one laptop and no one works on the second one. Coconut app tells that no batteries is on the second laptop as and side button doesn’t light any led. SMS was reset (I think so) many times, but no changes.

Hi all, I followed MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2012 Heat Sink Replacement to replace thermal paste of my MacBook Pro 13” Mid 2012. Everything was fine except that the battery could not be detected. After some troubleshooting, I stumbled on a PIN in the SOCKET of the battery connector that was NO LONGER STRAIGHT. I must have distorted the pin as I replaced the battery cable plug. The battery was back once I straightened the pin. You might want to perform such a quick visual check before resorting to other means. Cheers, Karl

I have since my last post fixed my MacBook however I still stand by my solution 5 blinks before your mac turns on is a battery power cycle error caused by too many computer shutdowns or restarts especially if your MacBook is over 3years old

Unplug your battery and plug it back in

I have this same exact issue..started yesterday…no battery detected at all, like there was never a battery in the hardware ?? Yellow light on the charger, whole shebang..wth is going on? It looks like this is a common problem and macbook is a rebuild I just bought last month. I don’t see any one answer here that actually determined the problem and fixed it..anybody?

I have thesame issue with my macbook mid 2012

Hi, i fix it resetting the pram (pressing option + ⌘ + P + R).