Thinkpads Forum

My T500 battery light is always flashing, and I saw from power manager "a battery error has occured. The battery can not be charged. Replace the battery". Remaining battery is 100%, but the condition is poor. Voltage is 11.93V while current is 0.00A. Temp is 29 and cycle count is 88. Battery manufacturer is SANYO.

I tried battery reset, but my laptop shut down right after I click the reset button. The battery could work for 2 hrs just one day ago and died now.I believe this is the same problem happened to some T60, T61 models. I tried the battery diagnostic tool but was told my model is not in recall list.

Is there any way to repair it? Or Lenovo may recall it? Although it's not in the list, it's still a design defect.

I have the same problem that you do, and I'm searching for advice. I bought my T500 in March 2009, and I've had quite a few problems with it since then, ranging from total system failure three weeks after delivery to constant wireless/ethernet problems. Most recently, I've had wicked issues with the battery. Last week, Lenovo's software recommended that I perform the Battery Reset function, so I did. I was going to be at my desk all day, so I figured it wasn't going to be an issue. I plugged it in and followed all directions and let it run its course, and when the reset completed, it was time to go home so I turned it off and let it sit for awhile. I turned it on the following morning, and I noticed that my battery estimates were awful. On High Performance, I was getting an average of 45 minutes out of a charge real time (1 hour estimated), whereas previously I was easily getting 2 1/2 hours real time out of a full charge (3 hours estimated). Even on "Max Battery Life", I only got about an hour and a half out of a full charge (previously about 9 hours). I was frustrated by the end of the day, and when I came in the next morning, the battery didn't work at all. I got the "A battery error has occurred. The battery cannot be charged. Replace the battery." message, and I was very irritated.

I called Lenovo the next day (last Friday) and explained the situation, and the first person I spoke with told me that it was my fault and that because it was out of warranty, I need to pay $575 to have a box shipped to me and then send it into Lenovo in Atlanta. I said that that was ridiculous and that I knew for a fact that the problem was the battery, and asked him why I couldn't just buy a new battery for it. He said "Because I said so." I called back immediately and got another person on the line, and explained the situation with the battery and what had just happened on the phone. The new person said that they couldn't help me because I was outside of my warranty (I am), but I said that I wasn't trying to milk a warranty claim or anything, I just wanted to know if a new battery would work. I was greeted with "How should I know, shove it up your *** and check." by this person, and I was furious. I asked to speak with a supervisor and was told that I couldn't because service ends when the warranty expires, but they could charge the $575 to my credit card if I wanted. I hung up and I haven't called back yet, nor do I plan to.

Anyway, what should I do regarding my battery? I'm not thrilled about having to pay $179 through Lenovo's website (plus shipping) to get a new battery to replace the one that was absolutely fine before Lenovo's software killed it. I've looked on Amazon and Ebay for replacement batteries, but I'm not sure that they are compatible with my computer. Is there any way that I can repair my battery? Otherwise, what should I do?

If you are going to buy a battery on ebay, make sure it is a genuine Lenovo battery and not a "for" Lenovo. Make sure it has a Lenovo sticker and FRU number on the battery in the picture description.
As for those remarks from so called representatives, you should take it up all the way to their president. That is absolutely no way to respond to a customer.

Thanks. I have found a few for sale that are listed as "New Genuine Lenovo T500 Battery", and I've checked the part numbers. My FRU is 42T4619 and my ASM is 92P1132. I don't think anything else is compatible with this laptop, and I've checked each image for the Lenovo sticker and the general appearance of the battery itself. Anything else I should look for?

As for the remarks--yeah, I know. I filed a complaint last week and I haven't heard anything other than a generic form-reply. I'm strongly considering refiling if I haven't heard anything by the end of this week, because it's ridiculous. That's the exact reason why I started looking elsewhere for the battery--I am not interested in giving Lenovo another dime until this is resolved. My laptop was $1400 and I've had so many problems with it that it's not even funny. I used to love Lenovos, but the experiences with this laptop have shown me just how far this company has fallen.

You can also use T60 batteries on the T500 if you can't find a battery specifically meant for the T500. I am doing that on mine and I have had no issues.
Be advised however that there are T60 batteries that are designed for the wide screen T60s and they will not fit on the 4:3 screen T60s.
I must say that you should have no great fears when buying a battery on ebay if the numbers match and it is a genuine battery. Good luck.

You should also monitor the Lenovo Outlet for any deals on batteries.

T61 15" also work for the t500.. I found some panasonic ones and kept those, gave away the sanyo ones..