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Installing MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Fan

What you need

  1. Installing MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Fan, Access Door: step 1, image 1 of 1
    • With the case closed, place the Unibody top-side down on a flat surface.

    • Depress the grooved side of the access door release latch enough to grab the free end. Lift the release latch until it is vertical.

  2. Installing MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Fan: step 2, image 1 of 1
    • The access door should now be raised enough to lift it up and out of the Unibody.

  3. Installing MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Fan, Battery: step 3, image 1 of 1
    • Be sure the access door release latch is vertical before proceeding.

    • Grab the white plastic tab and pull the battery up and out of the Unibody.

  4. Installing MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Fan, Lower Case: step 4, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the following eight screws securing the lower case to the chassis:

    • One 3 mm Phillips screw.

    • Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.

    • Four 3.5 mm Phillips screws.

  5. Installing MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Fan: step 5, image 1 of 1
    • Using both hands, lift and remove the lower case off the upper case.

  6. Installing MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Fan, Fan: step 6, image 1 of 3 Installing MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Fan, Fan: step 6, image 2 of 3 Installing MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Fan, Fan: step 6, image 3 of 3
    • Use a spudger to pry the fan connector straight up off the logic board.

    • It is useful to twist the spudger axially from beneath the fan cable wires to release the connector.

    • The fan socket and the fan connector can be seen in the second and third pictures. Be careful not to break the plastic fan socket off the logic board as you use your spudger to lift the fan connector straight up and out of its socket. The layout of the logic board shown in the second picture may look slightly different than your machine but the fan socket is the same.

  7. Installing MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Fan: step 7, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the following three screws securing the fan to the upper case:

    • Two 5 mm Phillips screws.

    • One 7 mm Phillips screw.

    • The longer of the three screws belongs in the upper left corner of the fan.

  8. Installing MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Fan: step 8, image 1 of 1
    • Lift the fan out of the upper case.

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