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IBM ThinkPad A30 Fan Replacement

Device	IBM ThinkPad A30
Difficulty	Moderate
Time	35 - 50 minutes
Steps	16

This guide is by Jessica on iFixit and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0. ByteRot mirrors it for non-commercial preservation: formatting changed and photos resized for old browsers; full-size photos and the text are on the FTP in /DOCS/REPAIR. Original guide >>

This guide details how to replace the IBM ThinkPad A30 fan. If the fan is faulty and needs to be replaced, then your computer may overheat and shut down without warning.

The CPU Fan is how the computer cools itself during usage. The fan dissipates the heat that the computer creates while in use. If the fan was to stop working, it would cause the processor to overheat and damage to the computer.

Before using this guide, you can first try running a 4k video on YouTube and if the fan starts running after you load the video, then the CPU fan is fine.

Tools: Phillips #00 Screwdriver; Phillips #1 Screwdriver; Spudger; Phillips #0 Screwdriver; iFixit Opening Tool

Step 1

• NOTE: Flip the ThinkPad over so that it is upside down.
• Slide the highlighted tab to the left.
• With your finger on the tab, remove the battery by lifting it upwards away from the laptop.

Step 2

• NOTE: Make sure the laptop is upside down and oriented in the direction shown.
• Remove the six 16.7mm screws inside the circled holes.

Step 3

• Rotate the ThinkPad so that the hard drive bay is facing you.
• Remove the black cover to reveal a 14.8mm screw.
• Remove the uncovered screw with a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

Step 4

• NOTE: Flip the ThinkPad over and open the LCD panel.
• Pry apart the keyboard with a plastic opening tool or with your fingers.

Step 5

• CAUTION: Be careful not to pull out the keyboard carelessly; there is a connector underneath it!
• Lift the front end of the keyboard as shown.
• Using your fingers, remove the black film cover.

Step 6

• Locate the connector attached to the motherboard.
• Disconnect the ribbon cable by removing the connector.

Step 7

• Lift and remove the keyboard.
• Remove the two 5.6mm screws.
• Remove the 16.7mm screw.

Step 8

• CAUTION: You will need to use a little force. Be wary of the tabs.
• Pry off the upper case with your hands.

Step 9

• Remove the 5.6mm screw that holds the LCD to the upper case.

Step 10

• Remove the 5.6mm screw on the left side of the three-pronged connector.
• Remove the other two 16.7mm screws.
• Lift and remove connector.

Step 11

• Pull out the white tab connecting the LCD to the motherboard.

Step 12

• Turn the laptop so that the back is facing you.
• Remove the four 5.6mm long screws.

Step 13

• NOTE: Place the laptop so that the LCD is facing you again.
• Gently lift the LCD monitor up and out.
• Remove the black plastic tab.

Step 14

• Remove the following screws from the fan retention bracket:
• Single 5.6 mm screw.
• Three 16.1 mm screws.

Step 15

• Lift the heatsink bracket up.

Step 16

• CAUTION: Be careful not to pull too hard. There is a cable attached to the fan.
• Lift the fan/heatsink assembly up.
• Locate the fan power cable and pull upwards near the connector.
• Remove the fan/heatsink assembly.

Conclusion

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

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