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MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Fan Replacement

Introduction

Replacing a defective fan is pretty easy and will keep your laptop running cool.

What you need

  1. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Fan Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 1 of 3 MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Fan Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 2 of 3 MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Fan Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 3 of 3

    • Use your fingers to push both battery release tabs away from the battery, and lift the battery out of the computer.

    Edit

  2. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Fan Replacement, RAM Shield: step 2, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Fan Replacement, RAM Shield: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the three identical 2mm Phillips screws from the memory door.

    • Lift the memory door up enough to grip it and slide it toward you, pulling it away from the casing.

    Edit

  3. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Fan Replacement, Upper Case: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the two 2.8 mm Phillips screws in the battery compartment near the latch.

    Edit

  4. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Fan Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the following 6 screws:

    • Two 10 mm T6 Torx screws on either side of the RAM slot.

    • Four 14.5 mm Phillips screws along the hinge.

    Edit

  6. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Fan Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the four 3.2 mm PH00 Phillips screws on the port side of the computer.

    Edit

  7. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Fan Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • Rotate the computer 90 degrees and remove the two 3.2 mm Phillips screws from the rear of the computer.

    Edit

  8. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Fan Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Rotate the computer 90 degrees again and remove the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws from the side of the computer.

    Edit

  9. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Fan Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Fan Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Fan Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • Do not yank the upper case off quickly. The case is attached to the logic board via a ribbon cable.

    • Lift up at the rear of the case and work your fingers along the sides, freeing the case as you go. Once you have freed the sides, you may need to rock the case up and down to free the front of the upper case.

    • There are four plastic clips above the DVD slot, and another above and to the left of the IR sensor. These clips can be very difficult to disengage without prying. They can also be difficult to re-engage during reassembly.

    • Reassembly Tip: Press down firmly on the tip of the top case above the location of each clip until you hear a snap to reseat them in their slots.

    • Reassembly Tip: The two center DVD clips will rarely snap back into place properly without help, and downward pressure will instead simply deform the frame around the DVD slot. Support the frame by inserting a plastic spudger into the DVD slot directly under the clip location until it is snug, then press down until you hear the snap.

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  10. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Fan Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Fan Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Disconnect the trackpad and keyboard ribbon cable from the logic board, removing tape as necessary.

    • Note: It is possible to replace the hard drive without disconnecting the keyboard from the chassis, but it will need to be held upright to keep it out of the way, while still allowing you both hands to work on the drive removal.

    • Be careful when removing the keyboard-trackpad ribbon cable to ensure that the rear of the upper case is disengaged from the area near the hinge. It is easy to accidentally bend the screw receivers on either side of the keyboard.

    • Remove the upper case.

    Edit

  11. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Fan Replacement, Left Fan: step 10, image 1 of 1

    • Use a spudger to disconnect the iSight cable from the logic board by sliding the cable to the left and out of its connector.

    Edit

  12. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Fan Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Fan Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • Disconnect the left fan and left ambient light sensor cables by placing a spudger beneath each cable and lifting up.

    • Pry up from beneath the wires.

    • Peel up the left ambient light sensor cable from above the left fan, removing tape as necessary.

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  13. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Fan Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Left Fan Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the following 3 screws:

    • One 6.2 mm black T6 Torx screw from the right side of the fan.

    • Two 9.4 mm silver T6 Torx screws from the left side of the fan.

    • Lift the fan up; carefully peel up the tape that secures the fan to the heat sink as you go.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

187 other people completed this guide.

6 Comments

I used this to take the fan out and blow it out with compressed air, and it solved my fan noise problem!

Danny Poit - Reply

Followed the instructions and it was all fairly straightforward, but my right speaker now appears to not be working. I haven't had the motivation to crack the case again and see if I can find what is wrong with that. At least the grinding fan noise is gone, so I can live with it for now.

meyer - Reply

I had no problems replacing the left fan as per instructions. Even though I did buy the spudger, the only hitch for me was the isight cable which I didn't end up disconnecting. I was able to gently remove the fan anyway.

Just organise your screws properly as you go along & they will all go back into place !

Very happy !

abwr - Reply

I didn't see the reason for step 10, I did not disconnect the iSight cable and had no problem getting the fan out and in. The black tape lifted from the fan assemblies does not stick well on reassembly so I added a piece of tape over the original tape. Photos from my experience: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jmschneid/...

jschneid43 - Reply

I wanna thank OP for this article. I used it to replace a rattly left fan in my 17" macbook, honestly in pretty easy fashion. Again, your thoroughness is very appreciated!!

bradrickard - Reply

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