Low/No fan speed

[Fried Chicken]

My Macbook has a fan speed that hovers between 0 and like 400 RPM.
The macbook was recently torn apart and all the dust removed (this problem was exhibited before taking it apart).

Trying to increase the fan speed using smcfancontrol causes the fan to go to 0 permanently.
I tried resetting the SMC several times which worked in the past but didn't work now.

I still believe it might be a software issue, but I'm not sure any other maneuvers to take. Otherwise I'll replace the fan but I'd rather not take the computer apart again.

 

[Fried Chicken]

I've also noticed a kernel_task using a high percentage of the CPU, which I've attributed to being caused by the low fan speed, causing the CPU temp to skyrocket causing the kernel_task to use even more CPU.

Basically the computer is committing suicide.

 

[Brian Y]

Easy way of telling if it's a software problem - boot from another OS or your installation CD and monitor the fan.

 

[Fried Chicken]

Easy way of telling if it's a software problem - boot from another OS or your installation CD and monitor the fan.

Wouldn't the SMC be independent of the OS being run on the computer?

 

[brop52]

Wouldn't the SMC be independent of the OS being run on the computer?

You thought it may be a software issue. The different OS would rule that out and prove to you it is hardware.