MacBook (13-inch) Troubleshooting — Symptom Charts 325
Reseat AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth antenna cables on cards.
Check AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth antenna cables for damage.
Replace with known-good AirPort Extreme Card or Bluetooth card.
Replace AirPort Extreme or Bluetooth antenna cables.
Unit unusually hot
This computer runs hotter than previous models. However, the normal operating temperature
is well within national and international safety standards. Nevertheless, customers may be
concerned about the generated heat. To prevent an unneeded repair, you can compare a
customer’s computer to a running model, if available, at your repair site.
Verify that the customer uses the computer while it is placed on a at, hard surface.
Verify that the computer is hotter than expected for normal operation. If possible, compare
how hot the computer case feels with how hot the case of a running display model feels.
Is the computer running hotter than normal?
Yes: Proceed to the next step.
No: The unit is operating normally. Proceed to the Inform Customer step on the owchart.
When speaking with the customer, direct him or her to Knowledge Base article 30612.
Check the processor speed.
Is the processor speed running at the setting the customer set?
Yes: Continue with the next step.
No: The computer could be overheating. The operating system will automatically reduce the
processor speed if the computer starts to get too hot. Continue with the next step.
Check for a failed fan.
Can you hear the fan running?
Yes: Continue with the next step.
No: This computer has only one fan. If the unit feels too hot and you do not hear a fan
running or cannot feel the air venting over the top of the keyboard, the fan may have failed.
Proceed to the Take Apart procedure for replacing the fan.
Check for misplaced thermal grease.
Each processor chip should have .01 to .12 cc (one-third of a single syringe) of grease on it.
It should look completely covered. See the Heatsink section of the Take Apart chapter for
complete details.
Is the thermal grease applied in the right places and in the right amount, according to the
service manual?
Yes: You have eliminated all the immediately known potential causes of an unusually hot
unit. Proceed to the Systematic Fault Isolation step of the troubleshooting owchart.
No: Apply the thermal grease correctly, according to the instructions in the service manual
then proceed to the Verify Repair step of the troubleshooting owchart.
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