Another T42 Fan Error Post - Need Advice!

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lemon_spritzer · #1 Post by **lemon_spritzer** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 8:13 pm

Hello, I'm new to this forum and here's the issue:

As the subject indicates, my T42 (2378 REU) has given me the "fan error" message. I have read many posts on this problem and most talk about fixing it on their own without any problems. However, I am no computer expert so I definitely cannot replace this myself, so I have a couple of questions or options I suppose:

1. Should I order the part myself and then bring it to a service provider? If so, is there a way to find out the fan model # without taking it apart? (I think there are a couple for the T42)

2. If I just bring it to a service provider, would they have to order the fan themselves or would they already have an appropriate one on hand?

I am pretty dependent on my laptop so I’m trying to fix this problem ASAP. If anyone has any experience with this, please let me know. Thanks!

#2 Post by **richk** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 9:49 pm

My experience has been that the problem is probably just the fan (80%) and possibly(20% the motherboard). You need a long fan. The part number is probably 13N5442. I would need to see the unit to be sure. I would talk to the place you take the unit to see if they have one. I have a couple of used ones here, but San Francisco shipping is too much. Maybe someone in Canada will respond.

Brad · #3 Post by **Brad** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 3:37 am

Welcome to the forum!

Does the fan error occur everytime you start your ThinkPad?

Brad

lemon_spritzer · #4 Post by **lemon_spritzer** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 8:06 am

Yup, it gives me the "fan error" message everytime so far and then shuts down as soon as the message shows up...

lemon_spritzer · #5 Post by **lemon_spritzer** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 9:12 am

Update:

I called a service provider and now I think I will be ordering the part myself to save a bit of money...

However, I am still not 100% sure which fan to order. I don't want to order one and end up being the wrong fan...is there a way to find out which fan it is without having to open it up? I know it should be a long fan, either FRU# 13N5442 or 13R2657 (according to the official specs from lenovo).

Can anyone please shed some light?

Brad · #6 Post by **Brad** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 9:43 am

The fan assy that I am currently holding in my hand that came out of my T43p has these markings.

26R9066

FRU fan long M24

26R9074

How much did the service provider ask for to make your ThinkPad whole?

Brad

Brad · #7 Post by **Brad** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:00 am

The T42 uses a very similar part. The part for the T43p appears to have nearly all the same specs. There is a rubber pad on the T43p part that looks different.

This is the part number for the T42 series long fan.

41W5204

Brad

lemon_spritzer · #8 Post by **lemon_spritzer** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:20 am

The cost is $35 for the diagnosis and labour is 75/hr plus the cost of the fan. It's not too unreasonable but I could probably find a more cost efficient way. Plus, they said it would take 3-5 days which is longer than I expected.

I've called lenovo to check for the specific part # but they are of no help because on their website, they don't have the REU model listed anymore so they cannot tell me which part # it is. They can only tell me to get it opened up and take a look. I am actually attempting that now out of desperation.

Brad, this part #: 42W5204, is not listed on the lenovo spec site. Would they have this part?

Thanks for your input!

Brad · #9 Post by **Brad** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:33 am

I am not sure how their part numbers are listed but a number of times I have entered numbers from the actual parts themselves and could not find anything. They have ASM FRU CRU part numbers so there may be other numbers that I am not familiar with.

This is really a pretty easy fix if you can operate a screwdriver.

The fan can be had here.

To do this yourself will most likely be the fastest and least expensive repair.

Brad

FTC · #10 Post by **FTC** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 11:08 am

Hi,

Don't be affraid of buying the wrong fan. Almost all of the T4x LONG fans can be exchanged without risks. The original fan LONG, the fan LONG M10 or the M24. I am using the later in a T42 and have used the others,... In any case if you want the one 'designed' for your graphics chip (ATI9600), look for the LONG FAN M10.

kyrotech · #11 Post by **kyrotech** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 1:02 pm

is your T42 out of warranty? check at:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... -WARNTY#sw

your thinkpad:

Product: ThinkPad T42 2378-REU [change]
Original description: P M 745, 512MB RAM, 60GB 7200rpm HDD, 15 SXGA+(1400x1050) TFT LCD, 64MB ATI Radeon 9600, 24x24x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD, Intel 802.11b/g wireless(MPCI), Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), UltraNav, Secure Chip, 6 cell Li-Ion battery, WinXP Pro

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-46474

You need Fan assembly (long) M10 FRU 13R2657
http://i13.ebayimg.com/05/i/07/47/82/44_1.JPG

Removing the old fan assembly and installing the new one is not that hard, if you follow the instructions you can do it easily in lets say ~30min.

lemon_spritzer · #12 Post by **lemon_spritzer** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 1:57 pm

thanks for everyone's responses, they were all very helpful

I wish I was capable of fixing this myself and save some money...but I am taking the easy way out and just going to leave it at the hands of a professional.

Hopefully, I will get it back by the end of the week and that it is JUST a fan problem...

Another T42 Fan Error Post - Need Advice!

Another T42 Fan Error Post - Need Advice!

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