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Mac Mini Mid 2011 Fan not working
- Thread starter Laodecoin
- Start date
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Those pads have zero to do with the fan not working. I would assume that the fan itself has just died. They are very inexpensive on eBay or Amazon. Three T6 Torx screws and it will come out. I've had a few go bad. I had one sound like a failing hard drive but it ended up being the fan.
Thank you for your reply. I think you’re right. Gonna try with a new fan
Thank you for your reply. I think you’re right. Gonna try with a new fan
It is certainly worth the ~$10 for a new one.
The fan is connected with one of the type of connectors to the right in your photo. Replacing the fan is as easy as plugging in a new one. My 2010 had temp sensors on the hard drive. Not sure about 2011, but worth making sure they are connected and working.
Thank you for your answer. The problem is not to connect the fan though, but getting it to work plugged in. It’s true: in earlier models temp sensor was attached to the hdd, but not on this mid2011 though.
Have you tried running Apple Hardware Test or Apple Diagnostics...
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201257
It may be able to tell you more about any hardware problems you may have.
All The Best
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201257
It may be able to tell you more about any hardware problems you may have.
All The Best
I ran the hardware test, and as suspected:
4MOT/1/40000002:Exhaust-0
So MOT -0 indicates Motor not functioning.
I’ve compared my motherboard with pictures of healthy ones, but when it comes to the resistors and conductors around the SMSC 1428-7, everything is intact.
I’m soon gonna give this up, but before I do, I’d like to know what parts these are (marked with red on the pictures)
First: the corroded ones, what are they? (and I’m gonna try to clean them with isopropanol with great care)
Second: the row of small holes along the whole border around the motherboard. Do they have a function, or is it just a border? (and well, there’s damage there, but not anywhere else, from what I can discover)
Those pads that have turned a yellowish brown, those do not have any function for the system to work properly. It does seem you have a capacitor that is out of place by CY7C638. With the chipped part on the edge of the board, a trace could've become damaged, resulting in the fan not getting power. I would suggest that you find a place that can do component level repair on the logic board.
I ran the hardware test, and as suspected:
4MOT/1/40000002:Exhaust-0
So MOT -0 indicates Motor not functioning.
I’ve compared my motherboard with pictures of healthy ones, but when it comes to the resistors and conductors around the SMSC 1428-7, everything is intact.
I’m soon gonna give this up, but before I do, I’d like to know what parts these are (marked with red on the pictures) First the corroded ones, what are they (and I’m gonna try clean them with , and second the row of small holes along the whole border around the motherboard
[doublepost=1531769404][/doublepost]Guys I’m superimpressed by your knowledge
Thanx for bearing with me and taking your time. Especially since I probably use the wrong terms.
Ryan, you have a keane eye, the capacitor is definetly knocked off its place. Tried to adjust it, but it looks like half of it is missing.
Even if I buy a replacement (perhaps C6960 a 1UF cap 10% 25V X5R in a 603-1 package) and get some help, I don’t know if it would resolve the problem.
I might rebuild the fan into a USB-fan, if possible. Full speed and noise is no problem. Or maybe I’ll save some money and buy a new desktop Mac.
Thanks for all your help
4MOT/1/40000002:Exhaust-0
So MOT -0 indicates Motor not functioning.
I’ve compared my motherboard with pictures of healthy ones, but when it comes to the resistors and conductors around the SMSC 1428-7, everything is intact.
I’m soon gonna give this up, but before I do, I’d like to know what parts these are (marked with red on the pictures) First the corroded ones, what are they (and I’m gonna try clean them with , and second the row of small holes along the whole border around the motherboard
[doublepost=1531769404][/doublepost]Guys I’m superimpressed by your knowledge
Thanx for bearing with me and taking your time. Especially since I probably use the wrong terms.
Ryan, you have a keane eye, the capacitor is definetly knocked off its place. Tried to adjust it, but it looks like half of it is missing.
Even if I buy a replacement (perhaps C6960 a 1UF cap 10% 25V X5R in a 603-1 package) and get some help, I don’t know if it would resolve the problem.
I might rebuild the fan into a USB-fan, if possible. Full speed and noise is no problem. Or maybe I’ll save some money and buy a new desktop Mac.
Thanks for all your help
Replacing the Logic Board is an option but it may be worth considering upgrading to the 2012 model. I do not recommend the 2014 model as it is grossly underpowered and barely user serviceable
https://www.macworld.co.uk/review/m...l-comparison-review-specs-which-best-3590185/
https://www.macworld.co.uk/review/m...l-comparison-review-specs-which-best-3590185/
According to an authorized Apple repair store nor the broken capacitator or the damage on the edge should affect the fan (I don’t know if I believe him). Since everything else that SMC operates works just fine, he didn’t believe it’s hardware related. He asked me to check the software.
So I checked my Hardware Overview.
Mac mini (Mid 2011) with Intel graphics Macmini5,1
I have Boot ROM Version:MM51.0080.B00
and SMC Version (system):1.76f0
So it looks like I’m up to date. Is there a way to check the SMC firmware? Or maybe a complete factory restore would be easier?
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View attachment 772744 View attachment 772745 In Scandinavia: thus my funny grammer
According to an authorized Apple repair store nor the broken capacitator or the damage on the edge should affect the fan (I don’t know if I believe him). Since everything else that SMC operates works just fine, he didn’t believe it’s hardware related. He asked me to check the software.
So I checked my Hardware Overview.
Mac mini (Mid 2011) with Intel graphics Macmini5,1
I have Boot ROM Version:MM51.0080.B00
and SMC Version (system):1.76f0
So it looks like I’m up to date. Is there a way to check the SMC firmware? Or maybe a complete factory restore would be easier?
There are a few places here in the states that will do a component level repair. When I say component, I mean they will replace a single capacitor if that is the issue.
I had a 2007 mini running quite hot hot.
The fan motor wasn't running.
Blew canned air into the impeller blades. Both directions. It probably spun the rotor shaft at 10X its usual speed.
Repeated that process with "contact cleaner" - likely some chlorofluorocarbon, as it comes out liquid and evaporates quickly. The can gets cold.
Reassembled. The fan worked.
Mini is now cool as a cucumber.
-Likely had crap build up in the bearings or bushings; too much fiction for motor to start. It's only been 6 years since I opened up to dust the thing out.