Late 2013 13" MacBook Pro - The fan is like an airplane!

[three]

Hey all! So, I've recently come across this issue with a recently purchased MacBook Pro. I've recently acquired this MacBook Pro (Late 2013, 13", Core i5) After getting settled into the machine, I've noticed that even at idle on the desktop, the fan would quickly ramp up and stay at the maximum speed for a significant amount of time.

Here are the steps that I've taken to try and fix the issue, to no avail:

• Carefully applied new thermal paste to the CPU
• Cleaned the inside of the machine, carefully, with canned air
• Reset PRAM and SMC
• Fresh install of Mojave, no data restoration
• Activity Monitor isn't showing anything out of the ordinary

The fresh installation of Mojave did help, a bit. The fan will randomly slow down and it'll take a while to ramp up.

I'd love any of your suggestions. Thank you in advance, I appreciate it!

 

[Newtons Apple]

Indexing after re-installing the OS and software could be the problem.

Try just leaving it turn on but not using it for a few hours and see how it goes.

 

[three]

Indexing after re-installing the OS and software could be the problem.

Try just leaving it turn on but not using it for a few hours and see how it goes.

Will do! Thank you!

EDIT: Didn't seem to help... Sadly. Additionally, kernel_task is back and using a lot of CPU (highest I've seen is 500% so far). The performance is garbage, it's slow and laggy with kernel_task running rampant. Ugh.

 

[Jac Robinson]

Will do! Thank you!

EDIT: Didn't seem to help... Sadly. Additionally, kernel_task is back and using a lot of CPU (highest I've seen is 500% so far). The performance is garbage, it's slow and laggy with kernel_task running rampant. Ugh.

It could be a hardware issue... maybe a broken sensor on the logic board? You could try installing Macs Fan Control and post the temperatures you're getting for the cpu, battery, etc.

 

[Audit13]

Is it possible this MacBook was exposed to liquids?

 

[three]

It could be a hardware issue... maybe a broken sensor on the logic board? You could try installing Macs Fan Control and post the temperatures you're getting for the cpu, battery, etc.

Attached is a screenshot (photo of the screen, haha) of Macs Fan Control, when kernel_task is currently cooperating and acting normal. Strangely? At the time of the screenshot, the computer was plugged in with only a few applications running in the background. Here are the temperatures. Pretty decent.

Is it possible this MacBook was exposed to liquids?

No obvious signs of liquid damage. Everything looks to be in order and not damaged by liquid, but I didn't look TOO hard into it.

 

[Audit13]

I know that period exposure can affect the sensors. Have purchased a few MacBooks over the years with liquid damage and a good cleaning of all board surfaces will sometimes resolve the issue.

Have you looked at all sides of the internal boards?

 

[three]

I know that period exposure can affect the sensors. Have purchased a few MacBooks over the years with liquid damage and a good cleaning of all board surfaces will sometimes resolve the issue.

Have you looked at all sides of the internal boards?

I've only looked at the bottom of the boards, haven't taken out the motherboard to look at the flip side.

 

[chrfr]

I've only looked at the bottom of the boards, haven't taken out the motherboard to look at the flip side.

Have you run Apple's built in diagnostics? This sounds like a hardware problem to me.

 

[Webster's Mac]

My understanding is that MacsFanControl will control the fans even when set to Auto...

Custom just allows you to use a specific sensor to build the fan curve around

Uninstall ALL fan control software, and then shut down and perform an SMC and PRAM reset. Boot it up and let it run for about 15 minutes and see how the fans are.
[doublepost=1560619575][/doublepost]Also, install iStat menus and let me know what the CPU temperatures are. It is easy to mess up a thermal paste application...it's important to get the die and the heatsink as clean as possible. I also do cross-torquing when screwing down the heatsink (top left, bottom right, etc, etc) to evenly spread the thermal paste. What thermal paste did you use? There usually isn't much of a different between the top 10 pastes, but getting some no-name paste could lead to trouble.

 

[three]

Have you run Apple's built in diagnostics? This sounds like a hardware problem to me.

Good idea. I just ran a hardware test/diagnostic (shutting down, holding the D key at startup) and the only thing it reported was "the battery will need to be replaced soon" (reference code PPT002). It didn't say or suggest anything else.

My understanding is that MacsFanControl will control the fans even when set to Auto...

Custom just allows you to use a specific sensor to build the fan curve around

Uninstall ALL fan control software, and then shut down and perform an SMC and PRAM reset. Boot it up and let it run for about 15 minutes and see how the fans are.
[doublepost=1560619575][/doublepost]Also, install iStat menus and let me know what the CPU temperatures are. It is easy to mess up a thermal paste application...it's important to get the die and the heatsink as clean as possible. I also do cross-torquing when screwing down the heatsink (top left, bottom right, etc, etc) to evenly spread the thermal paste. What thermal paste did you use? There usually isn't much of a different between the top 10 pastes, but getting some no-name paste could lead to trouble.

Uninstalled Macs Fan Control, performed both the SMC and PRAM reset, and I have just finished 15 minute period of sitting. The fan ramped back up and down throughout the entire 15 minute time period but seemed to prefer staying at the maximum fan speed for most of the time.

I cleaned the die and the heatsink very thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol. I applied Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound using the "line" technique, carefully ensuring not to apply too much or too little. I also did the cross-torquing method, as you said. Temperatures are as follows in the attached image. Thank you for your assistance so far!

 

[Webster's Mac]

Good idea. I just ran a hardware test/diagnostic (shutting down, holding the D key at startup) and the only thing it reported was "the battery will need to be replaced soon" (reference code PPT002). It didn't say or suggest anything else.



Uninstalled Macs Fan Control, performed both the SMC and PRAM reset, and I have just finished 15 minute period of sitting. The fan ramped back up and down throughout the entire 15 minute time period but seemed to prefer staying at the maximum fan speed for most of the time.

I cleaned the die and the heatsink very thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol. I applied Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound using the "line" technique, carefully ensuring not to apply too much or too little. I also did the cross-torquing method, as you said. Temperatures are as follows in the attached image. Thank you for your assistance so far!
View attachment 843090

Yea that fan speed is way too high for the temps you're getting. I noticed the palmrest sensor isn't reading. Unless that model doesn't have a palmrest temp sensor, that would cause the fan speed issues. Macs go into a failsafe mode if a sensor (even a seemingly unimportant one such as a palmrest sensor) doesn't read. if that sensor is the cause, a battery replacement (that replaces the entire topcase) might fix your issue. You might want to take it to an apple store and see what they say. The other sensors look normal.
[doublepost=1560633978][/doublepost]It *could* also be the trackpad cable that connects it to the logic board. The Genius Bar has more through diagnostics they can run. It shouldn't be maxing out the fans under such cool temps unless a sensor is faulty. From the looks of it, the palm rest sensor is faulty.

 

[three]

Yea that fan speed is way too high for the temps you're getting. I noticed the palmrest sensor isn't reading. Unless that model doesn't have a palmrest temp sensor, that would cause the fan speed issues. Macs go into a failsafe mode if a sensor (even a seemingly unimportant one such as a palmrest sensor) doesn't read. if that sensor is the cause, a battery replacement (that replaces the entire topcase) might fix your issue. You might want to take it to an apple store and see what they say. The other sensors look normal.
[doublepost=1560633978][/doublepost]It *could* also be the trackpad cable that connects it to the logic board. The Genius Bar has more through diagnostics they can run. It shouldn't be maxing out the fans under such cool temps unless a sensor is faulty. From the looks of it, the palm rest sensor is faulty.

Wow, you're awesome. Thank you very much for your suggestions. I'll have to do some research and digging into the trackpad cable. Maybe crap got into the connector? Maybe the cable bit the dust? Maybe the seller of this machine wasn't totally honest about the condition... I'll get back to you. I have a few hours before work.

 

[Webster's Mac]

Wow, you're awesome. Thank you very much for your suggestions. I'll have to do some research and digging into the trackpad cable. Maybe crap got into the connector? Maybe the cable bit the dust? Maybe the seller of this machine wasn't totally honest about the condition... I'll get back to you. I have a few hours before work.

If it’s still under a warranty or return period from the seller, then return it!

 

[three]

If it’s still under a warranty or return period from the seller, then return it!

Honestly, I'm getting to that point. I'll open up the MacBook and play around with the trackpad cable, see if I can access it without having to remove the battery. If that doesn't help, I'll definitely return it. Spend a little more money and get a fully reliable machine. Thanks again for your help, you've been absolutely awesome.