help, fans not working!

19rich79 · 29 Jul 2014 at 22:26

Hi, I have just finished my first build. Turns on and runs, but only 3 of 6 fans are running. CPU, PSU and rear fan are running. Top two case fans not running connected to the PSU I think with the molex connection. Front led fan not running but lit up, connected to the 3rd sys fan header, it doesn't reach the others!
I'm using a zalman plus 3, gig Z97 PD3 mobo.

Temp on bios says 38c for the CPU.

Any ideas, many thanks.

Tealc · 29 Jul 2014 at 23:26

Maybe sys-fan 3 is one of those 'special' not a normal header that gigabyte like to put in sometimes that work strangely, although you'd expect that if the LEDs are lit you'd have a few volts potential there. As for the top fans if they are connected properly to a PSU molex then they should spin.

Danny75 · 30 Jul 2014 at 00:32

The two top fans should come plugged into the case's fan controller and then the fan controller's molex (or Sata as the case may be) needs connecting to the appropriate PSU cable to power it. If that's how you have it set up, I don't know, guess you've tried clicking the fan controller button/s already. Try a different PSU molex, and if that doesn't work, I'd contact Zalman about it (unless you'd rather just do without the fan controller and buy an adapter to run those fans).

The rear fan has a molex connector which you've plugged into a PSU molex connector and so it runs fine.

The front fan has a 3-pin cable and you've got it plugged into a motherboard header. Have a look inside the BIOS to see if you can set that header to run at full speed (in case it isn't). Sometimes fans don't operate below a certain voltage. If that doesn't work, try removing the front fan so that you can test its 3-pin in a different motherboard header and post back with the results.

19rich79 · 30 Jul 2014 at 06:43

Thank you, I think I have plugged the top fans into the molex, but not the two fan controllers. I have two cables with two pins, that I thought were alternative connections so I haven't been using them! Good tip on the front fan. I'll check the bios now. I'll have test the fan later. I'll let you know. Cheers

Danny75 · 30 Jul 2014 at 10:48

19rich79 said:
Thank you, I think I have plugged the top fans into the molex, but not the two fan controllers. I have two cables with two pins, that I thought were alternative connections so I haven't been using them!

Good spot. The top fans (they are 3-pin I believe) also need plugging into the 2-pin connectors running from the fan controller, yes.

Good tip on the front fan. I'll check the bios now. I'll have test the fan later. I'll let you know. Cheers

Good luck.

19rich79 · 30 Jul 2014 at 11:56

Great advice, I feel a little stupid because I think the LED fan has been spinning the whole time, its just so quiet, and the lights are static rather than spinning to make a circle,(if I had thought about it, that would make sense!). The top case fans worked straight away when plugged in.

I am very proud of myself!!

Thanks for your help.

Danny75 · 30 Jul 2014 at 12:13

19rich79 said:
Great advice, I feel a little stupid because I think the LED fan has been spinning the whole time, its just so quiet, and the lights are static rather than spinning to make a circle,(if I had thought about it, that would make sense!). The top case fans worked straight away when plugged in.

I am very proud of myself!!

Thanks for your help.

Good stuff. You're welcome.