how do i replace the fan in my airport?

If you do NOT have a USB drive connected to the USB port on the back of the AirPort Extreme, try the following:

Open AirPort Utility on your Mac (Finder > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility)

Click on the picture of the AirPort to select it

Click Edit in the smaller window that appears

Click the Disks tab at the top of the window

Uncheck the box next to Enable File Sharing

Save the changes to update the new setting

Keep an eye on things for the next day or two to see if the overheating message continues to appear. If it does not, you are OK.

If the overheating message does still appear, then it is likely that the fan is clogged with dust and will need to be replaced. Apple did not design the AirPort Extreme for easy access, so opening up the device is not all that easy unless you are experienced with small electronic repairs. Be extremely careful if you decide to tackle this, as it is very easy to break a delicate connector or tear a ribbon cable in the process of disassembling the AirPort.

The following article will provide some tips on how to open up the AirPort:

AirPort Extreme A1521 Teardown - iFixithttps://www.ifixit.com › Teardown › AirPort+Extreme+A1521+Teardown

Replacement fans are available from a number of sources. Google "Replacement fan for AirPort Extreme". The average cost for the part ranges between $15-25 or so.

The answer will depend on what AirPort version that you have.

The fan is normally silent and inaudible, so not sure how you are guessing that the fan might not be working. Are you seeing "overheating" messages, or does the AirPort appear to run much warmer than usual?

Do you have the most recent "tall" or "tower" shaped version.......or.......an older "flat" or "square" version that looks like a small white pizza box? If you do have this version of the AirPort, we need the model number. It is on the bottom of the AirPort, usually embedded in the foam pad base. The model number starts with an "A" followed by 4 numbers.

We asked you to uncheck the box next to "Enable file sharing" because there is a bug in the diagnostic software on the AirPort Extreme model that you have.

This bug can produce false overheating messages, and disabling the file sharing will usually solve the issue......IF.....the AirPort is not really overheating.

IF....the AirPort really is overheating, then the fan speeds up considerably and is usually clearly audible. At normal operating temperatures, the fan is inaudible.

I have it mounted inside an ammo container outside.

Regardless if this ammo can is plastic or metal, I can see two specific issues of using it to house your base station:

1. Inadequate ventilation, and
2. Loss of Wi-Fi signal due to the construct of the can. That is, Wi-Fi signals will have a very difficult time passing-thru.

Why would you want to mount your base station in this manner ... protect it from the elements?

Depending on the distance between buildings, it may serve you better to run an Ethernet cable between them than trying to use a wireless router designed for indoor use only, outdoors. You can then use this Extreme inside your home.