Macbook Pro making revving noise

Question

Level 1

23 points

Macbook Pro making revving noise

My Macbook Pro was making a revving noise. You can hear the noise on my video:

I usually put my Mac to sleep every night. In the middle of the night, last night while the Mac was sleeping, it started making this revving noise. The Mac never woke up while the noise was happening. The only way to stop the noise was to shut it down.

This morning, I turned on the Mac and the noise resumed immediately. After approximately 10-15 minutes of this noise, it stopped. After approximately 45 minutes, when I was uploading the above video, the Mac started to make another noise, which was continuous. You can hear it on this video:

https://vimeo.com/162261633

Then after approximately 5-10 minutes, it stopped. When I uploaded the above video, the noise started to increase again. Now, it is making a low, continuous noise.

What is causing these noises? Should I be concerned now that they have stopped?

I have:

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011)

2.2 GHz Intel Core i7

8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3

500 GB SSD

AMD Radeon HD 6750M 1024 MB

Mac Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5), 15-inch, Early 2011, 2.2GHz Core i7

Posted on Apr 10, 2016 7:57 AM

Reply

Answer 1

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Apr 10, 2016 8:04 AM in response to curt0

You may have a failing fan. Run an Apple Hardware Test.

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

Note that an error free AHT is not conclusive.

Ciao.

Addendum: Open the bottom of the MBP and inspect for dust and debris. Clean it out if any is found.

Reply

Answer 2

curt0 Author

Level 1

23 points

Apr 10, 2016 9:35 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

OGELTHORPE:

Thanks for your suggestion.

I followed the instructions at Using Apple Hardware Test - Apple Support . When I clicked on D (shift + d key), AHT did not start up and there was no icon. The start up took a lot longer as the progress bar on the gray screen was stuck near the middle point for a few minutes. The shut down took a few minutes, which is much longer than the usual few seconds.

I tried again but clicked on d (d key without shift). AHT did not start up and there was no icon. The start up took a lot longer and was stuck for a few minutes before the appearance of the progress bar.

The bottom of the Mac has no dust or debris. I did open the bottom panel/cover/lid and vacuumed the surface including the circuit board and the fans. After putting the lid back on and starting up, a noise started. You can hear this noise at this video:

https://vimeo.com/162269401

This noise has been dissipating as I'm typing this post.

Is there anything else I can try?

Reply

Answer 3

Apr 10, 2016 10:16 AM in response to curt0

If you have access to a genius bar at an Apple store, your visit for an evaluation is free, in warranty or out.

If you need a repair, Apple repairs are flat rate, no surprises, and come with a modest warranty on the repair.

These guys put their hands on these Macs all day every day, and Physical problems and Power problems are what they are best at identifying and solving.

Reply

Answer 4

Courcoul

Level 6

18,726 points

Apr 10, 2016 10:35 AM in response to curt0

Yup, mine does that every so often. Once it was a loose screw that allowed one of the fans to vibrate, another time it was that the fans were clogged with dust. So I took them out and carefully cleaned them then remounted with properly torqued screws. That cured the problem for awhile but it has happened again recently so I'll dive in once more, maybe I'll have to replace one of them.

Use an Old Mechanic's Trick to determine which of the two fans is the culprit. Take a short metal bar and place one end against the bony portion of your head just in front of your good ear. Then probe by placing the other end against various spots on the metal case of the Mac, around the keys. That will let you assess where the sound is the loudest and confirm it is a fan. This is what a 2011 (Early or Late) 15" MBP looks like inside, note that the only motors in there are the two fans, the optical drive and the HDD. If the sound emanates from the HDD then you should worry. VERY MUCH. And proceed to do a full disk clone onto an external drive immediately for the drive is circling the drain. When covered and in operation, the HDD is under your right palmrest.

Reply

Answer 5

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Apr 10, 2016 11:20 AM in response to curt0

In order to run the Apple Hardware Test, you do NOT use the shift key. These are your options.

Start with the D key.

Start with the OPTION + D key.

Use the Snow Leopard installation disk that came with your MBP that has the AHT instructions written on it.

Download the appropriate AHT from here:

https://github.com/upekkha/AppleHardwareTest

Ciao.

Reply

Answer 6

curt0 Author

Level 1

23 points

Apr 12, 2016 2:36 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

OGELTHORPE:

I tried running the AHT without using the shift key as well and that only slowed down the start-up. Option + d key worked. I ran the AHT and a second time with "thorough diagnostic test". Both times, it said that there were no problems.

I took the Mac to an Apple dealer. They fixed it. There was a loose ball bearing in the fan. They replaced the fan.

Thanks everyone for your help.

Reply