hot laptop.

The normal fan speed on my 2.2 GHz MacBook Pro (mid 2007 model, which is very similar to yours - just a newer generation CPU, chipset and graphics controller) is about 2000 rpm on both sides. I have never seen it slower than 1998 rpm. If the computer works hard and the temperature rises, both fans ramp up to about the same speeds. My fans usually get up to the 4000 rpm mark if the CPU temp is getting into the 60 degree celcuis range (normal idle operating is in the 40s).

Given the pattern you are observing, it is very likely that your left fan or part of its control circuitry has developed a fault.

The System Management Controller is desperately trying to increase the fan speed due to the CPU getting hot, but the left fan isn't responding correctly.

replacing it is easy; the machine is out of warranty so I can do it myself, but I just want to know if that's what I need to do. A second opinion, I guess.

On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:28:31 -0400, Joshua Whalen <joshuafwhalen@gmail.com> had a flock of green cheek conures squawk out:

My macbook pro 2.33 ghz has been shutting down unexpectadly the last few days. The one thing all the shutdowns have had in common is that the left side of the computer was exceedingly hot at the time.

So, I download istat, and saw that my left fan is running at 1500 rpm, while my right fan is running at 6000 rpm, and my processor is running at 200 degrees farenheit!

Anyone know if there's a natural reason the left fan might be behaving this way, wht the normal speeds should be, and well, anyhting else relevant.

replacing it is easy; the machine is out of warranty so I can do it myself, but I just want to know if that's what I need to do. A second opinion, I guess.

thanks!

Joshua

Too many dust bunnies...

--

Stephen

Grabel's Law: 2 is not equal to 3 -- not even for large values of 2.

You got a bad fan. Go to iFixIt.com and replace it with a new one.

Warm regards,
Mr. Muckel