HT202179: Learn about the fans in your Mac

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Terry am

Q: MacBook Pro Fan is very loud overnight. How are they replaced?

MacBook Pro Fan just started to make a lot of noise.This is a MacBook Pro 15 inch 2.4/2.2GHz purchased June 2007. Is this something that most people can replace or does Apple need  to fix it or is it time to get a new one base on age and potential repair cost? 

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Feb 25, 2015 8:43 AM

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Q: MacBook Pro Fan is very loud overnight. How are they replaced?

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  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,Helpful

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Feb 25, 2015 8:53 AM in response to Terry am
    Level 9 (60,951 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 25, 2015 8:53 AM in response to Terry am

    Your Mac uses measured temperatures to determine fan speed in a feedback loop.

    Racing fans are an indication that your Mac is overheating, or a temperature sensor is not working properly. Replacing the fan will not fix the problem.

     

    Your appointment for an evaluation at the genius Bar of an Apple store is free, in warranty or out. There is no obligation to have them do any work for a fee, but if you choose to, charges are generally flat rate for guaranteed repair, no surprises.

     

    If you recently replaced components, such a RAM DIMMs, with parts that do not have Apple-approved temperature sensors, that can also cause such problems.

  • by Terry am,

    Terry am Terry am Feb 25, 2015 9:29 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Feb 25, 2015 9:29 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    Grant, Thanks. Sounds like my next move is to get it in for evaluation quickly before the fan dies. If it is indeed racing that will shorten the fan life.  I replaced the Ram years ago so that is not likely the cause. When computer goes into sleep mode fan shuts off which makes me think it is not overheating.  As you stated more likely a sensor.  Anyway thanks again. Terry Molloy

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Feb 25, 2015 9:50 AM in response to Terry am
    Level 9 (52,360 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 25, 2015 9:50 AM in response to Terry am

    An Apple Hardware Test may find the reason for the fan problem:

     

    http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201257

     

    Note an error free AHT is not definitive.

     

    Ciao.

  • by my ginger,

    my ginger my ginger Feb 25, 2015 10:20 AM in response to Terry am
    Level 4 (2,472 points)
    Feb 25, 2015 10:20 AM in response to Terry am

    Hi you could also do a SMC reset. But if this does not fix it you will still need to have it looked at.  http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295