Macbook fan

shifty_uk · 27 Sep 2009 at 09:44

My macbook had a weird turn yesterday. It died several times last night until I gave up and left it. I turned it on again this morning to notice the fan wasn't working, perhaps this was the issue?

Anyway, I installed all my updates etc with no luck before resorting to the old tapping the keyboard method. It worked, the fan started rolling again.

Something tells me this won't be the end of the issue though, any advice?

Mr_White · 27 Sep 2009 at 10:27

Fit a new one, cheap enough on ebay and very easy to fit.

Or try installing smcFanControl and setting it to an active setting (not Default), that should give an indication of whether or not it's a firmware/software issue, the fact a physical remedy fixed it doesn't allude to that though

Unless you mean you're worried about it having a funny turn and turning it's self off again?

Mine started turning it's self off etc, and then wouldn't turn on at all, I fitted a new DC-In board as the old one had visual signs of degradation, and that was what the problem was.

shifty_uk · 27 Sep 2009 at 12:45

Ah, I didn't realise you could retrofit a mounted fan, does it just screw off I presume?

It was definitely a fan issue, the system is running without problems now. I was more worried about the fan stopping again - I can't be bothered going to Apple and paying ridiculous repair costs.

Mr_White · 27 Sep 2009 at 12:51

It's plugged into the mobo and held in by two or three screws depending on whether it's unibody or the original, about the easiest part to replace on either really.

You can't retrofit a different fan though, has to be the same one, as the whole mobo and heatsink is designed around it.

You might know of it anyway, but iFixit has good guides if you've not opened it before:

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Browse/Mac