Dell Inspiron 1545 Thermal Fan Replacement
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 26 Steps
This guide is your go-to for giving your Thermal Fan a little TLC—whether it’s cleaning out dust bunnies or swapping out a fan that’s just not pulling its weight anymore. Overheating issues? Improperly working fan? No worries—let’s get this fixed!
Step 1
– Alright, before you dive into battery removal mode, make sure your laptop is totally unplugged from any power sources and powered down. Safety first, folks!
– Flip that laptop over like you’re showing off its cool back design. Let’s get started!
Step 2
– Push the release latch and gently slide the battery out while giving it a little wiggle. You’re doing great—keep it up!
Step 3
– Gently slide the battery out of its cozy little bay—easy does it!
Step 4
– Let’s get started by flipping your laptop over to its back side – don’t worry, it’s easier than it sounds!
– Now, remove the screw (5mm Phillips #1) that holds the Optical Disk Drive in place on the back of your laptop. Take your time and make sure it’s securely removed.
Step 5
– Gently nudge the Optical Disk Drive out using a spudger tool (like a pro!), and then smoothly pull it away from the front cover of the Optical Disk Drive. Keep it steady and you’re golden!
Tools Used
Step 6
The top 3 screws are held in place by a retaining ring, so they won’t pop out no matter how much you twist—kind of like a loyal sidekick!
– Take out your trusty Phillips #1 screwdriver and remove the four 3mm screws holding down the base cover. Easy peasy!
Step 7
– Gently hoist that base cover up and off the laptop like you’re lifting the lid off a treasure chest.
Step 8
Don’t worry, you won’t be able to completely remove these screws – they’re held in place by a washer, so just loosen them until they stop.
– Let’s get that CPU Heat Sink loose! Start by unscrewing the 5 screws (4mm, Phillips #1) that hold it in place on the motherboard. Easy peasy!
Step 9
– Gently lift the Heat Sink unit to set it free.
Step 10
– Once you’ve taken out the battery, let’s tackle those two little screws (3mm Phillips #1) hiding underneath. These tiny heroes are what keep the Center Control Cover snug and secure!
Step 11
– Turn your laptop upside down and swing that display open as wide as it will go!
Step 12
Handle the Center Control Cover with care—it’s super delicate! Take it easy with those prying tools.
– Gently pry the Center Control Cover from the laptop. Start on the right side where there’s a small divot – that’s your starting point for getting the panel off.
– Carefully lift the Center Control Cover away from the laptop. Take your time to avoid any damage.
Step 13
– Unscrew the two 5mm Phillips #1 screws perched at the top of the keyboard and get ready to dive into the fun of repair!
Step 14
Be gentle when removing the keyboard! Pulling too hard can damage the keyboard or its connector, and that’s not what we’re going for here. Let’s get that keyboard out safely and keep on repairing!
– Gently slide the keyboard out and away from the laptop, then lift it up to reveal the keyboard connector. You’re doing great!
Step 15
– Pop open the little latch holding the keyboard cable to the motherboard connector—kind of like unbuckling a tiny seatbelt—and carefully slide the cable out.
Step 16
– Gently raise the keyboard and slide it away from the laptop like a pro.
Step 17
– Unscrew those 11 little bolts (5mm Phillips #1) from the back of your laptop just like it’s an adventure! Remember to keep an eye out for that sneaky one hiding in the middle near the RAM. You’ve got this!
Step 18
– Gently lift the black and white wires from the WLAN that connect to the display – just pull them straight up!
– Carefully untangle the wires from the routing guides.
Step 19
– Alright, let’s flip that laptop back to its comfy resting position and gently pull the black and white wires that were connected to the WLAN through the little hole they came from. Easy peasy!
– Now, grab your trusty screwdriver and remove those 4 smaller screws (5mm Phillips #1) along with the one screw on the top left (3mm Phillips #1) from the palm rest. You got this!
Step 20
Gently tug on the plastic tabs for each connector—think of it like coaxing a shy cat out of hiding—to keep those connectors safe and sound.
– Gently disconnect the Bluetooth card cable, Wed cable, Camera1 cable, power cable, and touchpad cable from their respective Motherboard connectors, as indicated. When removing the Bluetooth and Camera1 cables, simply pull the plugs toward the screen. For the touchpad and power cables, lift the black tab before pulling them out. And for the Wed cable, give that blue tab a little upward tug.
– Loosen those wires from the routing guides so they have some space to breathe.
Step 21
– Grab your trusty plastic opening tool and get ready to work some magic! To separate the palm rest from the computer, gently pry up the plastic starting at one spot. Take your time to work your way around—it’s all about steady hands and patience here.
Step 22
– Undo the three Phillips #1 screws (each 3mm) holding the daughter board in place—don’t let those little guys intimidate you!
– Gently lift the daughter board up and away from the laptop like you’re rescuing it from a tech dungeon!
Step 23
– Unscrew the two 3mm Phillips #1 screws on the left and the two 5mm Phillips #1 screws on the right that are holding the motherboard in place. With those out, you’re one step closer to a working device!
Step 24
– Carefully unplug the Thermal Fan cable, Speaker cable, and USB Board cable from their connectors. You’ve got this!
Step 25
If you haven’t already said goodbye to the Motherboard, now’s the time—it’s coming out, and the auxiliary port cover on the front is tagging along for the ride.
– Gently lift the motherboard up and away from the laptop base—it’s like setting the motherboard free!
Step 26
– To put your device back together, just follow the steps in reverse—it’s like rewinding a movie, but more satisfying.
– If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
