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hefferpa

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 25, 2020
3
0
My fans is running constantly. The diagnostic code is PPF003. Apple advise that it is a fan issue and that it should be taken to a service center. But surely it’s the thing that switches the fan on and off that’s the issue. I have reset the SMC. I don’t want to replace the fan only to find that the new fan runs constantly. Any suggestions/comments?
 
My fans is running constantly. The diagnostic code is PPF003. Apple advise that it is a fan issue and that it should be taken to a service center. But surely it’s the thing that switches the fan on and off that’s the issue. I have reset the SMC. I don’t want to replace the fan only to find that the new fan runs constantly. Any suggestions/comments?
Hi, did you get any joy with your fan issue? I can’t seem to finds a post reply for your issue. I have the same problems but not sure what to do. If you resolved the issue I’d like to know what you’ve discovered please. I hope you’ve solved it.
 
I have not solved the problem.
- I ran the full Microsoft diagnostic software (after downloading it and running a boot disk). No faults found (other than that the fan was running)
- I suspected a faulty sensor ... but the software found none
- TG Pro ran a diagnosis, as the software could not control the fan speed. This is their response:
"I took at look at the support package and it's definitely a hardware issue. TG Pro is setting the fan speed to 2880 RPM but the fan is spinning at 6595RPM which is actually a bit above the maximum limit. This is why when you ran the Apple Diagnostics it showed an issue with the fan. I'm not sure exactly why this is happening, although if you've already done a SMC reset (https://support.apple.com/HT201295) and that didn't resolve it then you'll need to have a qualified technician take a look at it. Something in the hardware is forcing the fan to maximum speed all the time. This can be from a safe guard where if something is broken it will do this since it can't reliably know what speed to run the fan at."
 
I have not solved the problem.
- I ran the full Microsoft diagnostic software (after downloading it and running a boot disk). No faults found (other than that the fan was running)
- I suspected a faulty sensor ... but the software found none
- TG Pro ran a diagnosis, as the software could not control the fan speed. This is their response:
"I took at look at the support package and it's definitely a hardware issue. TG Pro is setting the fan speed to 2880 RPM but the fan is spinning at 6595RPM which is actually a bit above the maximum limit. This is why when you ran the Apple Diagnostics it showed an issue with the fan. I'm not sure exactly why this is happening, although if you've already done a SMC reset (https://support.apple.com/HT201295) and that didn't resolve it then you'll need to have a qualified technician take a look at it. Something in the hardware is forcing the fan to maximum speed all the time. This can be from a safe guard where if something is broken it will do this since it can't reliably know what speed to run the fan at."
Thanks for the reply hefferpa. Much appreciated. So far, the Intel Power Gadget app has been useful for me in stressing the system and at showing my fans are working well enough to keep the temp below 95degrees even in extreme conditions, and that my idle temp is fine, even though the apple diagnostics say I may have a fan issue. I’m wondering exactly what that apple diagnostic tool specifically measures to determine a fan issue, is it speed, software control etc? more investigation required for me I think to get to the bottom of the error.
 
Thanks for the reply hefferpa. Much appreciated. So far, the Intel Power Gadget app has been useful for me in stressing the system and at showing my fans are working well enough to keep the temp below 95degrees even in extreme conditions, and that my idle temp is fine, even though the apple diagnostics say I may have a fan issue. I’m wondering exactly what that apple diagnostic tool specifically measures to determine a fan issue, is it speed, software control etc? more investigation required for me I think to get to the bottom of the error.
I should just clarify, I have the same error code as yourself, but my fans are not constantly running.
 
I should just clarify, I have the same error code as yourself, but my fans are not constantly running.
btw I did discover, that a 13” MacBook has one fan, a 15” has two. If you have a 15” and one of the fans has failed, then perhaps you have one fan running really fast to compensate for the other not working? Just a thought, you could put your ear next to the vents on either side and see if you have both fans spun up perhaps?
 
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