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MacBook Air 13" Late 2010 Fan Replacement

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Use this guide to replace a burned-out fan.

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  1. MacBook Air 13" Late 2010 Fan Replacement, Lower Case: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
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    P5 Pentalobe Screwdriver Retina MacBook Pro and Air
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    • Before proceeding, power off the device, close the lid and lay it on a soft surface top-side down.

    • Remove the following ten screws:

    • Two 9 mm 5-point Pentalobe screws

    • Eight 2.6 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 13" 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 13" Late 2010 Fan Replacement, Battery: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

    • For precautionary purposes, we advise that you disconnect the battery connector from the logic board to avoid any electrical discharge. This step is optional and is not required.

    • Grab the clear plastic pull tab attached to the battery connector and pull it toward the front edge of the Air to disconnect the battery from the logic board.

    • Do not lift upward on the connector as you disconnect it.

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  5. MacBook Air 13" Late 2010 Fan Replacement, I/O Board Cable: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

    • 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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  6. MacBook Air 13" Late 2010 Fan Replacement: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 MacBook Air 13" Late 2010 Fan Replacement: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0

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

    • Carefully peel the I/O board cable from the top of the fan.

    • 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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  7. MacBook Air 13" Late 2010 Fan Replacement, Fan: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

    • 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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  8. MacBook Air 13" Late 2010 Fan Replacement: crwdns2935265:07crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

    • Peel the rubber gasket off the adhesive on the top of the fan.

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  9. MacBook Air 13" Late 2010 Fan Replacement: crwdns2935265:08crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

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

    • One 3.6 mm T5 Torx screw

    • One 2.7 mm T5 Torx screw

    • One 3.6 mm T5 Torx screw with a short head

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  10. MacBook Air 13" Late 2010 Fan Replacement: crwdns2935265:09crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

    • 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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Plugging the fan back in is a huge pain in the ass, do you have a tip for that?

Robert Westman - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

I screwed up and my fan cable ZIF socket lifted out. I destroyed it trying to solder it back on. Can I buy a replacement?

Janine Maddock - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

This is actually an interesting question. I was looking into this issue and watched most of your video and the fan did not spin up and everything was quiet and perfect. If I watch a youtube video, it spins up like crazy. Any suggestions?

Jerry Garcia - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

I broke the latch on the ZIF connector. Brittle plastic. :-( What can I do to get the new fan to receive power?

Charles Carpenter - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

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