Macbook Pro 15 Retina Display Early 2013 Left Fan Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          20 minutes

Sections

Lower Case
2 steps
Battery Connector
2 steps
Left Fan
3 steps

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BackMacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Early 2013
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Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Lower Case

Remove the following P5 pentalobe screws securing the lower case to the MacBook Pro:
Eight 3.0 mm
Two 2.3 mm

Remove the following P5 pentalobe screws securing the lower case to the MacBook Pro:

Eight 3.0 mm

Two 2.3 mm

1024

Step 2

Lifting from the edge nearest the clutch cover, lift the lower case off the MacBook Pro.
Set the lower case aside.

Lifting from the edge nearest the clutch cover, lift the lower case off the MacBook Pro.

Set the lower case aside.

Step 3

              Battery Connector

Peel back the warning label covering the battery connector.

Peel back the warning label covering the battery connector.

Step 4

Using the flat end of a spudger, gently pry the battery connector straight up out of its socket on the logic board.
Bend the battery cables back and out of the way, ensuring that the battery connector doesn’t accidentally make contact with the logic board.

Using the flat end of a spudger, gently pry the battery connector straight up out of its socket on the logic board.

Bend the battery cables back and out of the way, ensuring that the battery connector doesn’t accidentally make contact with the logic board.

Step 5

              Left Fan

Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the rubber heat sink cover up off the left fan.

Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the rubber heat sink cover up off the left fan.

Step 6

Remove the following three screws securing the left fan to the logic board:
One 4.4 mm T5 Torx screw with 2 mm collar
One 5.0 mm T5 Torx screw with 2 mm collar
One 3.9 mm T5 Wide Head Torx screw
When reinstalling the fan and its screws, don’t fully torque the screws until you’ve first installed all of them loosely, so that the fan can move a little and position itself properly as you insert the screws into their threaded standoffs.

Remove the following three screws securing the left fan to the logic board:

One 4.4 mm T5 Torx screw with 2 mm collar

One 5.0 mm T5 Torx screw with 2 mm collar

One 3.9 mm T5 Wide Head Torx screw

When reinstalling the fan and its screws, don’t fully torque the screws until you’ve first installed all of them loosely, so that the fan can move a little and position itself properly as you insert the screws into their threaded standoffs.

Step 7

Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the retaining flap on the left fan ribbon cable ZIF socket.
Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, not the socket itself.
Starting at the top of the cable, slide a plastic opening tool under the left fan cable to free it from the logic board.
Use caution when freeing the cable, as it is strongly adhered to the logic board. If necessary, use an iOpener or hair dryer to heat the cable in order to soften the adhesive and make it easier to remove.
Lift the left fan out of the device.
When reinstalling the fan, it’s easier to connect the fan ribbon cable as you drop the fan in place, rather than after you’ve installed the three fan screws.

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

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

Starting at the top of the cable, slide a plastic opening tool under the left fan cable to free it from the logic board.

Use caution when freeing the cable, as it is strongly adhered to the logic board. If necessary, use an iOpener or hair dryer to heat the cable in order to soften the adhesive and make it easier to remove.

Lift the left fan out of the device.

When reinstalling the fan, it’s easier to connect the fan ribbon cable as you drop the fan in place, rather than after you’ve installed the three fan screws.

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

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Author

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                    Sam Goldheart

Member since: 10/18/2012

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Martin LeMoine - Sep 8, 2016

Regarding step 7 my experience was different than the procedure described. My fan ribbon cable was not glued down at all and the cable simply slid out of the socket towards the rear of the computer and the new one slid in.

MacProUser - Jan 16, 2018

awesome guide. i skipped steps 3-4. prior to placing the back cover on, i tilted the mac on its side and powered up to see if the fan worked, it did. powered down, screwed the cover back on and good to go. took about 20 minutes.

Introduction#

What you need#

Team#

Introduction

What you need

Team