T30 Fan Error

[BigMacSangwich]

I tried searching, but I came up with mostly irrelevant posts, except one that suggest it's a CMOS battery problem, but I have no way to check if the time is correct in my situation.

When I turn on the computer, it shows the IBM logo then suddenly says "fan error" on the top left before shutting itself off. I cannot enter the BIOS configuration because it shuts off my computer before I could. This happens regardless if I am running on battery power or A/C power. I do not hear the fan spin up, but I am not sure since I bought this thing for my dad.

Do you think this error will go away if I replace the heatsink and fan? What other problems would bring up the "fan error" message besides the fan and CMOS battery? This laptop has a defective 2nd DIMM slot where the system cannot read it, so it is only running one stick in the primary slot... I don't know if that has anything to do with this.

[Chris Doran]

In desperation when I had this on a company machine whilst at home, I managed to get it started by blasting air into the fan vent from a compressed air spray whilst it was booting. My theory was that the fan was sticking and the compressed air got it started. It then ran until I could organise a replacement, though I didn't dare turn it off. In fact, it rebooted quite happily without this artifice when I tried to demonstrate the problem to the support engineer, much to my embarrassment.

I wonder whether it's just a build up of dust on the fan which I managed to blow away. It has been said that you should open up your machine and blow the dust out every so often, but I'd be loath to "fix it while it ain't broke". Anyway, I suggest you begin by cleaning the fan either my way or removing the keyboard, and if that fails try a replacement fan.

[RealBlackStuff]

These fans can jam after so many years of service.
It may be just dust as mentioned before (do you have a cat/dog in the house?).
If you replace the fan, check the part number, there are 2 different fans available for the T30, you must get the correct one.
And don't forget to clean the CPU and fan bottom and apply fresh thermal paste when you re-assemble it.

[vanaya]

If you are cleaning the fan, I would not blow directly in to the fan. Rather blow out while holding the fan blades. I have broken a fan by blowing air and spinning the blades. The fan blades did move freely but did not spin when connected to computer or power applied.

[m509272]

I have a fan to sell. It's the standard fan. I got it from one of the guys on the forum. I didn't realize I needed a fan 2. If you're interested let me know.

[madkat]

I've experienced the "fan error" - an cleaning it through the vents doesn't really help...
for me the solution was to replace the whole assy - fan and heatsink - with a used one from a 1.8Ghz T30 (not fan2 like my original one)
so far so good, it keeps the temperature reasonably low (considering it's a slower fan) - around 40 C in normal use and around 70 in heavy load
in the meantime, i've opened the old fan - it's extremely easy to dismantle it, and clean the bearing - after that and some WD40 it spins a lot better - no it's only up to me to find some tine to put it back

[RealBlackStuff]

WD40 evaporates after a short while.
Better would be oil mixed with graphite powder. The amounts for both are minuscule!
http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic52936.html

[madkat]

good idea - i'll try to find some graphite powder and put it to use

[jamnkats]

These fans can jam after so many years of service.
It may be just dust as mentioned before (do you have a cat/dog in the house?).
If you replace the fan, check the part number, there are 2 different fans available for the T30, you must get the correct one.
And don't forget to clean the CPU and fan bottom and apply fresh thermal paste when you re-assemble it.

Where would one find thermal paste (any ideas for those of us living in MExico also?) and would the CPU run hotter without it? Also, any idea where the FRU or part number is on the fan assembly? I replaced mine yesterday but the CPU seems to be running hotter since. The one I took out was quite dirty and the one I put in quite clean. The replacement also had thin rubber stuff - I assume this is thermal rubber (as referenced in the hardware manual)? I put a small square between the CPU and fan assembly as I have no thermal paste.

(still having the fan error where it won't spin up though)

[RealBlackStuff]

Never been to Mexico, but if they have an equivalent of RadioShack, or any computer shop for that matter, they should have thermal paste.
Even a cheap paste is better than no paste.
Thermal pads (the rubber you are using) is very poor quality and certainly not suited for 'hot' countries like Mexico.
Download the T30 HMM here:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-42308
On page 147 you will find which fan goes in which T30.

[jamnkats]

Never been to Mexico, but if they have an equivalent of RadioShack, or any computer shop for that matter, they should have thermal paste.
Even a cheap paste is better than no paste.
Thermal pads (the rubber you are using) is very poor quality and certainly not suited for 'hot' countries like Mexico.
Download the T30 HMM here:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-42308
On page 147 you will find which fan goes in which T30.

I've got a T30 for parts (bad mobo) so I'm pretty sure the FRU I have (46L4753) is correct but neither solve the error on boot (I no longer get the screen saying, "fan error" just no boot. I put the original fan back in and today will go in search of thermal paste.

[RealBlackStuff]

Just remembered, the part number should be on the bottom of the cooler, on the fan-motor.

[m509272]

What are the correct wires for this fan to test it? I read that positive is red. Is blue (middle) or brown opposite end the negative?

[poweredbychevy]

is there any way to tell which fan I have before I order one?

[RealBlackStuff]

As said above, get the HMM, it's all in there.

[poweredbychevy]

I did. couldnt find if theres a way to find out what fan I have w/o taking it out first.

[RealBlackStuff]

Check what model T30 you have (sticker on bottom, looks like: TYPE 2366-56U).
Match that with the motherboard P/N from the HMM, which is a regular 'system board assembly' or a 'system board assembly 2'.
If you have 'assembly 2', you also have a 'fan 2'.

[poweredbychevy]

ok thanks, can you upgrade the fan?

[RealBlackStuff]

No need for it, unless you upgrade the CPU.

[cadillacmike68]

Yeah, its an old thread, but there is some mis-information here.

First there are THREE fans for T30s. They are referred to by Lenovo as Fan, Fan2 and Fan.

Next the sites to find parts, etc. has changed.

Use this site along with your Machine type and model (2366-xxx/ 2367-xxx) and select parts, etc to get to the System Service parts:

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/

you should end up on this page:

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/product ... D=PD005064

Section 23 is the fans,

1st generation is 46L4753
2nd gen is 46P3132 (Fan2, most 2GHZ models)
3rd gen is 91P8908 (maybe the 2.2 and 2.4 GHz models???)
Notice the progression of FRU#s


Here is the table (if it displays correctly):

23 Fan
2366-21x, 23x, 41x, 42x, 43x, 44x, 45x, 51x, 52x, 61x, 63x, 81x, 83x, 82x, 84x, 85x, 91x, 92x, A1x, A2x, A3x, A4x, A5x, A6x, A7x, B1x, C1x, D1x, E2x, F1x, F2x, G1x, H1x, J1x, J2x, K2x, L2x,
2367-21x, 23x, 41x, 42x, 43x, 44x, 61x, RU5, 63x, 81x, 82x, 83x, 84x 46L4753 N
Fan 2
2366-56x, 57x, 5Ax, 5Bx, 66x, 67x, 68x, 86x, 87x, 88x, 89x,8Ax, 8Gx, 96x, 97x, 9Ax, 9Bx, C6x, E7x, K7x, M1x, M2x, M3x, M4x, M5x, N6x, R6x, P6x
2366-J4x, B2x, N7x, R7x
2367-66x, 68x, 86x, 87x, 88x, 89x 46P3132 N
Fan
2366-FBx, JBx, M6x, M7x
2367-FBx 91P8908

HTH!

[KinneStrong]

cadillacmike68:

Thank you for posting the new information. It really helped.

-Kinne