A2141 Battery, motherboard, or something else?

[linkmaster6]

Good day folks,

Need a sounding board for a MacBook Pro that I'm working with.
So the symptoms and history is as follows:
This Macbook was in a trailer load of goods that were written off, not certain of the exact reason behind the write off but it doesn't appear to have been physical damaged. The box was found still factory sealed and right from the time it was first opened and plugged in pressing the power button only brings up the battery symbol and the thunderbolt underneath,. I'm assuming this is the default message that the battery needs to be charged.
However, even after leaving it plugged in overnight with the original charge and having it plugged in for several hours this morning on another Mac USB C charger and also trying all 4 of the USB ports to charge the macbook it doesn't seem to putting any charge into the battery.
I've popped the bottom off to take a peak inside, system is clean and no signs of corrosion. The inside of all of the usb c ports are clean and undamaged. While I had it open, I reseated the battery connection to rule out it just needed to be reconnected. I also attempted to power the macbook with the battery disconnected and only running off the charger.

I've attempted to do an SMC reset, I've done the one where you hold the left option and control and the right shift for 7 seconds and then held those three keys and the power for 7 seconds ( I also did the other variation of this where you have to press the right shift).

Basically where I'm at is if I press the power button, the screen lights up, the battery symbol and thunderbolt show up and then go away. If I connect a charger (original or my spare) the screen will light up as before, shows the battery charge symbol and then back to nothing. If I try to power the macbook without any charger connected, I won't get anything at all, screen doesn't light up at all and no battery symbol.

I'm more of a PC guy, so in my experience with the majority of laptops, those can be powered on with the AC adapter even if the battery is completely flat (or removed). Also Apple's decision to remove useful things like charging lights or power lights is pretty ridiculous.

I'm leaning in the direction that what I might be looking at is a battery that sat for a few years uncharged so maybe the battery is bad? Would anyone be able to confirm if this model of MacBook Pro only shows the battery and thunderbolt when it is charging or if it shows something different to show that it is taking a charge

 

[MacInWin]

Can you tell us exactly what model it is? That should be printed on the box. That information will give us some idea of the age. Your title said "A2141," and if that is the model, it is a MacBook Pro, 16 inch, from 2019, last sold in October of 2021. So it's between 3 and six years old. That model number was used on MBP16,1 and MBP16,4, which were different variants. But tell us what is on the box label to be sure.

From your description, the first thing I would suspect is that the battery has died. Even if not used, Lithium batteries start to decay two years after manufacture, and if that machine is now five, pushing six, the battery may well be dead. It's a good machine, albeit a bit old now. It can run the latest version of macOS, although it may not be able to run the next version, due to be released in Sept/Oct.

It's not in warranty, but you might take it to an Apple store to ask them to diagnose what is going on. If you ask nicely, they may be willing to test it for you and may even be able to have the battery replaced (for a fee) with a genuine Apple battery.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Based on the model number, that MBP might be from 2019. Assuming it's been sitting in a box all this time, the battery is full discharged and likely failed.

So just grab a new battery and use that to get this MBP going.

 

[linkmaster6]

The part number is MVVJ2LL/A and looking up the Mac's SN it does appear to be a 2019 model. So I'm pretty safe thinking its just a battery that has completely crapped out and won't take a charge anymore?

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Batteries are consumables, and using them degrades them over the years. I can imagine the same is true for having no use at all. Beyond just being in a deep discharge, the battery is just caput.

Grabbing a new battery to use on a potentially unused MBP is a small price to pay.