Thinkpads Forum

I have an awful problem with my T60 fan assembly -- at over 3000rpms the fan begins to emit this loud mechanical noise. I've opened up the notebook to clean out the heat sink but the problem persists. This is not a bios issue, as fiddling with the CPU powersaving function and other indirect ways of controlling fan speed do not make the mechanical sound diminish, which is a cross between metal brushing against metal and a loose component.

I've tried going to a licensed Lenovo warranty service provider in my area but they were unable to reproduce the problem the first time, when they just turned on the unit. I told them the fan only makes this sound at high RPMs but it is increasingly looking like they cannot help me. I am wary also of sending in the unit through EZServ (even though it is under warranty) for this reason. The fan has just grown very loud but only kicks into its sound when I have a high CPU load, when it is running at its higher settings.

I know my part number -- fan assembly 41w6405. I'm sick of dealing with Lenovo tech support and these third party warranty providers. The former won't sent me a replacement assembly and the latter do not understand what > 3000 RPMs means. How can I obtain this fan assembly so I can swap out the bloody thing myself?

... go to www.ibm.com --> select "Products" (upper menu) --> "Upgrades, accessories and parts" --> "Obtain maintenance parts" this will eventually take you here - is that what you are looking for?

However, the part number you mention (41w6405) is not available... perhaps it has been replaced by a newer, identical part? I haven't checked the Hardware Maintenance Manual - ThinkPad T60/p and also not the System service parts - ThinkPad T60, T60p...

Some mounting and dismounting instructions are found at Hardware removal and installation - ThinkPad T60, T60p . Additional help - and many video's! - are available at Lenovo Training Video's.

PS: If you don't like to do this repair yourself, and are not too far from Long Island, New York, I would suggest you consider contacting forum.thinkpads.com member Brad - I am completely confident that he can and will help you try fix this issue.

Johan

Thanks for this information -- Johan you're a real lifesaver.

As it turns out, they must have discontinued fan assembly unit 41w6405... now the only fan assembly listed for T60 widescreen models is 41w6409. I'm assuming these either should do the trick -- there are some Ebay resellers stocking the former, and the IBM store has the latter.

Can anybody verify if there is any difference between these two fan assembly models, other than their part number?

http://www.thermalfx.com/merchant2/ has lots of fans and cheap. Worth checking them out.

Here's the link to their laptop fans selection:
http://www.thermalfx.com/merchant2/merc ... LaptopFans




Good luck,
v.