HT204463: iMac: Fans run at full speed after computer turns on
Learn about iMac: Fans run at full speed after computer turns on
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All replies
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Helpful answers
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Jul 5, 2016 11:21 AM in response to mark53by Carolyn Samit,It's not possible to completely stop the fans. Your iMac would over heat.
But what you can do is Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support
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Jul 5, 2016 11:23 AM in response to mark53by Linc Davis,If you've already done as recommended in the support article, please see below.
Apps can affect Mac performance, battery runtime, temperature, and fan activity - Apple Support
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Jul 5, 2016 11:28 AM in response to Carolyn Samitby mark53,HI Carolyn,
Thank you for your speedy reply. The SMC reset does not fix my fan problem unfortunately.
Mark
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Jul 5, 2016 11:30 AM in response to Linc Davisby mark53,Yes I have read the posting on fan problems and I tried this approach to no avail.
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Jul 5, 2016 11:37 AM in response to Linc Davisby mark53,Thanks Linc,
This problem begins as soon as I turn my mac on before I load any apps. By the time the desktop appears the fans are running full out and never stop or go any slower ever. It is very noisy as you might imagine.
Mark
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Jul 5, 2016 11:45 AM in response to mark53by Linc Davis,The logic board or some other internal component is failing and would have to be replaced if you want to keep using the machine. Apple would probably decline to service it because of its age. An independent authorized service provider might be willing, but the part may no longer be available, and if it is, the cost of the service may be more than it's worth to you.
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Jul 5, 2016 11:50 AM in response to Carolyn Samitby mark53,Hi Carolyn,
I was at the Genius Bar yesterday. The diagnostics all looked heathy, no problems were found with hardware or software. The computer runs fine except for the fan problem. The Apple store will not open up this computer since it recently became "Vintage" and so no longer supported.
The Apple Authorized service providers cannot offer me a confident answer to the question "can they fix it?" They can certainly run diagnostics, but that was already done at the apple store and no problems were found.
I can open up the computer, I have dusted it with compressed air. Doesn't help. I would like to try disconnecting the fans somehow.
Mark
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Jul 5, 2016 11:57 AM in response to Linc Davisby mark53,Hi Linc,
A little back history.. about six months ago I had the logic board replaced and the computer runs fine now except for the fans. In fact the fan problem began after the logic board was replaced and is currently the only problem with the computer. I would like to cut the wires to the fans if that will not somehow cause a hardware alarm that will make the computer unusable. I know the fans are not necessary, my 2007 iMac never runs its fans at least not audibly.
Mark
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Jul 5, 2016 12:10 PM in response to mark53by Linc Davis,The fan is necessary. It runs all the time at minimum speed, which is usually not audible. If one of the temperature sensors on the logic board isn't working, the fan will overrun and be noisy. If you disable the fan, the machine either won't run at all or it will quickly overheat and shut down.
The best you can hope for is that the sensor for the hard drive wasn't connected when the LB was replaced, or that it has come loose. That would be fairly easy to fix.
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Jul 5, 2016 12:14 PM in response to Linc Davisby mark53,Line,
Thanks again for you input. I will continue my search for the problem. When I opened up my iMac last time I noticed that the hard drive heat sensor wire was buried underneath the hard drive, when it should have been tucked to the side instead. I am wondering if the wire could have been damaged or shorted out by being forced under the drive. I will take the hard drive out next time, pull the wires out from under it and look to see if the wires are ok and not shorting out.
Thanks again,
Mark