T30 - 2366: What triggers "fan error"? And what fan to buy?

[Norway Pad]

This is probably a general Thinkpad issue, but I chose to put it here since it's a T30.

After not being used for 4 months, while I was back home in Norway, my T30 has now started to give the "fan error". The first time I used it, I got this fault & following shutdown twice, before it booted up. Now it comes once and a while, but it boots up on the 2nd attempt and works fine after that. I think I can hear some initial noise form the fan the first 4-5 seconds it is running, but I these can be mistaken for sounds from the optical drive during POST.

Anyway, does anyone know what triggers this fault? I thought the fan had to be all the way dead, ie. broken circuit. But in this case, where the fan apparently sticks a little to begin with, it obviously also monitors the current being drawn by the fan, and triggers the alarm if it's outside limits. Does the fan error only happen during POST, or does it shut the computer down if it's triggered during use as well?

The laptop was stored in a sealed bag, and wasn't moved at all during storage, so nothing could have entered the fan. I will open the laptop up just to check for dust bunnies, but I suspect I should be looking into buying a new fan. So, being new to the T30 environment, I wonder if there are several types of fans, or if there are any other potential pitfalls here.

Thank you!

[RealBlackStuff]

For CPUs up to 1.8GHz, get this fan: 46L4752/47L4753
From 1.9GHz and up, get the "fan 2": 46P3132 a.k.a. 46P2958, which can be used on all models (incl. slower CPUs).
If you see 'fan 2' pictures from the top, they have the number 203 embossed. without that #, it's for the first CPUs.
There's even a third fan 91P8908, used on 2.2 and 2.4GHz models.
All are available cheap on eBay.
It's when the fan has not been used for a while, that it can become 'sticky'. It then needs to draw more power to overcome inertia, which can trigger the fan error.
There is only minimal (if any) lubricant in that tiny motor, although some people have successfully added it in T4x and T6x fans.
Usually just blowing into the fan opening with your mouth (NOT compressed air!) will get it going again.

[Norway Pad]

Thanks a lot. I was actually considering PM'ing you, but no need for that now.

Uhm, maybe I should actually try and put a tiny drop of oil into the fan when the laptop is open anyway. It seems to be running fine when it runs, and makes no noise, so I guess it might be like you say that being still for a long time made it sticky. I was in fact surprised, since there were no problems this spring.

If a little drop of oil fixes it for now, I can wait until it eventually starts making noises. Mine is a 1.8 btw, so I guess Fan #2 would be my choice.

[singbad]

Any recommendation on what oil to use? And how to apply an appropriate quantity?

[Norway Pad]

I didn't look more into this, as the T30 got other issues in the mean time. (Wireless card stopped working) And the fan error occurred only the 4-5 first times I used it after it had been stored.

On a general basis I would say that we are talking about small amounts of oil here. One or two drops. I have only done this on desktop fans at work a couple of times, and I used engine oil and a small syringe to get it in there. I can not give specific advices on a Thinktop fan. But if the fan has started making noises, it is worn out and will eventually give you problems anyway even if you add oil.