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MacBook Air 11" Late 2010 Fan Replacement

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Use this guide to replace your MacBook Air's cooling fan.

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  1. MacBook Air 11" Late 2010 Fan Replacement, Lower Case: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
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    P5 Pentalobe Screwdriver Retina MacBook Pro and Air
    $5.99
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    • Before proceeding, close your computer and lay it on a soft surface top-side down.

    • Remove the following ten screws:

    • Two 8 mm 5-point Pentalobe screws

    • Eight 2.5 mm 5-point Pentalobe screws

    • The special screwdriver needed to remove the eight 5-point Pentalobe screws can be found here.

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  2. MacBook Air 11" Late 2010 Fan Replacement: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

    • Wedge your fingers between the display and the lower case and pull upward to pop the lower case off the Air.

    • Remove the lower case and set it aside.

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  3. MacBook Air 11" Late 2010 Fan Replacement, Battery: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 MacBook Air 11" Late 2010 Fan Replacement, Battery: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0

    • In this step you will disconnect the battery to help avoid shorting out any components during service.

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry both short sides of the battery connector upward to disconnect it from its socket on the logic board.

    • Bend the battery cable slightly away from the logic board so the connector will not accidentally contact its socket.

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  4. MacBook Air 11" Late 2010 Fan Replacement, Solid-State Drive: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

    • Remove the single 2.9 mm T5 Torx screw securing the SSD to the logic board.

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  6. MacBook Air 11" Late 2010 Fan Replacement: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 MacBook Air 11" Late 2010 Fan Replacement: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0

    • Use a spudger to help lift the free end of the SSD just enough to grab it with your other hand.

    • Do not lift the end of the SSD excessively.

    • Pull the drive straight out of its socket and remove it from the logic board.

    • When reinstalling the SSD, be sure it is properly seated before reinstalling its retaining screw.

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  7. MacBook Air 11" Late 2010 Fan Replacement, I/O Board Cable: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the I/O board cable connector upward out of its socket on the I/O board.

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  8. MacBook Air 11" Late 2010 Fan Replacement: crwdns2935265:07crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

    • The following connector has an especially deep socket. Use care when disconnecting it.

    • While gently pulling the I/O board cable upward near its connection to the logic board, use the tip of a spudger to pry upward on alternating sides of the connector to help "walk" it out of its socket.

    • Remove the I/O board cable.

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  9. MacBook Air 11" Late 2010 Fan Replacement, Fan: crwdns2935265:08crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

    • Use the tip of a spudger to carefully flip up the retaining flap on the fan cable ZIF socket.

    • Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, not the socket itself.

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  10. MacBook Air 11" Late 2010 Fan Replacement: crwdns2935265:09crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

    • Remove the following three screws securing the fan to the upper case:

    • Two 5.2 mm T5 Torx screws

    • One 3.6 mm T5 Torx screw

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  11. MacBook Air 11" Late 2010 Fan Replacement: crwdns2935265:010crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

    • Lift the fan out of the upper case and carefully pull the fan ribbon cable out of its socket as you remove it from the Air.

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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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thanks a million—clear and accessible.And we did it!

gigi marks - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

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