IBM Thinkpad T43: Fan error (Lenevo not honoring IBM Warranty)

Okay... So when I turn on my ThinkPad I get the normal windows xp home edition start up page, but after about 5 seconds the screen turns black except for a small message in the upper left-hand corner that says fan error.

Coinciding to this message is a sort of clicking sound. I wouldn't actually say it's a clicking sound as much as it is a robotic, "trying to start but cant" sound. I know this is a bad description, but it sounds like something beginning to spin but catching and starting over. The frequency of the noise is about two starts, or clicks, every three seconds.

I would greatly appreciate any input as to what the problem might be and ways to fix it. I had bought a 3 year warranty from IBM when I purchased this laptop two years ago, but Lenevo will not honor that warranty. They just said they cannot find the laptop in their system and they are refusing to fix it. We have spoken to about 8 different people there at Lenevo/IBM with no avail.

If it's just the fan or hard drive I am hoping to fix it myself.

Thanks again

Michael

 

I thought every T43 purchased from ibm or an authorized retailer came with a 3 yr warranty. I could be wrong tho.

Where did you buy it?

HAve you checked it on the online warranty webpage yourself?
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/s...=%2Fwarranty/warranty.vm&sitestyle=lenovo

Maybe you bought a refurb or something, and it has like a 3 yr Mack warranty

 

I think default warranties vary by model, not by dealer, with the most common being 1-year depot, 3-year depot, and 3-year on-site + accidental damage. If you look in the TABook, they'll have warranties listed in each model description.

Can IBM not find the serial number of the thinkpad at all? Or do they say it's expired/reported as stolen/etc? Might want to check if it's a non-US model too, you may have to go through other routes to get service in that case...

 

Do you still have the receipt? If you still do, fax them a copy, that should correct the problem in their database.

 

Yeah the only dispute should be whether it's a three year, or something else- not whether they can find it or not. Is it their position it came with NO warranty or something?

Try the lookup in sb's link. If they just can't even find record of the sn, should be their problem. But it's yours, of course.

Good luck.

 

When I purchased the laptop I recieved a family discount because me cousin worked for IBM @ the time. I purchased the cheapest three year warantee and it's only been two years since I've had it. It's their position that the laptop came with a two year warrantee and that expired 7/1/07, I called and reported the problem on 7/2/07, no joke. The first was a Sunday and I neglected to call tech support. Regardless of being one day off, I still should have a three year warantee atleast covering parts. I have a receipt detailing this, but they cannot find it in their system. They cannot locate the serial number or the warrantee for that matter. I've made a photocopy of the bottom of the laptop and that doesn't help either.

I purchased the laptop just as Lenovo was purchasing IBM's personal computing division. I'm getting the feeling that wasn't the smartest move.

Is the "Fan error" common? I purchased a lot of recording equipment recently to run on my thinkpad and I can't use any of it while my band is in the studio which was the purpose of buying the recording software. Since this is such a pressing concern to me, Im tempted to try and fix it on my own, but I've read posts of people replacing the fan in this case and the problem persisting.


Any ideas of what my next move should be?

Michael

 

Nobody has ever had a "fan error" problem?

Any and I mean any input is greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Michael

 

when you say lenovo not honoring ibm warranty, have you tried calling IBM directly?

 

All I can tell you is their warranty system is really screwed up. IBM still handles the service of the Thinkpads, Lenovo holds the records. The transition made a mess of their database.

Don't take no for an answer, don't give up. Find the Invoice for the warranty. Call them and tell them you'll fax it.

The depts you want is customer entitlement and the warranty call centre.

 

I have a brand new ThinkPad T60 laptop and received a Fan Error. I just got off the phone with support. The first told me they would send me a label to send the computer back to IBM, where they would replace the fan and motherboard. He said that they've had this problem in the past, but he was surprised given that I just bought thecomputer that I was having this problem.

FYI, I told him that I lived and breathed by my laptop and would not send it in to IBM and risk losing all my files. I asked him about whether there were service providers in my area, and he told me I could take my computer in to them, and the repair/replacement would be covered under warranty, which he had a record of.

So my best advice to you is to go to the IBM.com Home page. There is a link there for "Work with Business Partners." click on "business partners" , then "find a business partner" and then put in your zip code. when the list of partners come up, make sure its one that is listed as a "service provider" not just a reseller. They will be able to fix your problem without voiding your warranty, and if the problem is covered, there will be no charge.

 

That doesnt make sense, if they cannot find the system in their warranty database, how can they claim the warranty expired on 7/1 ?

Kepp at it, tell them if they cannot find the system in the database, then its thier fault, and that they should not make you jump hoops. Ask for a supervisor etc.
If that does not work, file a BBB complaint.

I've had fan error on my T30, as well as one of my friends. So its not all that uncommon.

 

Any update ?

 

Folks I also have FAN error problem. I get this error when I start my laptop. But after 5 to 10 retries of resetting the computer it comes back up. Can anyone let me know how to resolve this issue

 

Try using one of those cans of compressed air to see if you can blow dust out of the fan. If that doesn't work, replace the fan.

 

be careful because direct compressed air can destroy the fan.

I have them occassionaly. I shut the machine and reboot and everything is ok.

I thought that was a really good point - they can't find your machine in the database but they know when the warranty expired?

 

Assuming you're stuck with fixing the fan problem yourself, it's actually not that difficult to do. These fans tend to suck up dust and lint. If the fan is dragging or tinking against a small dust bunny the motherboard may detect an unusual current draw and not start up - the logic being that it's better to not start than overheat and burn things up.

The fan is not hard to get to. A good small phillips screwdriver is pretty much all you need.

With everything disconnected and working on a clean surface, close the lap top and turn it upside down.

You will see a bunch of phillips screws. Unscrew the ones where you see a little graphic of the keyboard and the ones with a graphic of the keyboard trim (graphic looks like a TV set) next to them.

Once you're sure that all the screws with the graphics next to them are removed and in a safe place. gently pry up the keyboard trim starting at the bottom and then up the sides. You will notice two ribbon cables that have to be unplugged. The one for your finger touchpad will probably have already come off. A larger one for the keyboard itself may still need to be gently unplugged.

The fan is usually located on the lower left. Most fans are held by three screws. Remove the screws, unplug the fan and gently rock it until the fan and heat sink come out.

I first vacuum the fan, then shoot it all over with compressed air in a can, then I lubricate the fan hub liberally with Super Tech electronic component lubricant.

Once the fan is reinstalled and plugged in, you can test the fan prior to reassembly. The keyboard trim should have three little fingers at the top. Slip them into the little slots found just under the LCD (at the top of the PC frame.) Then plug in the keyboard cable. You can hold the whole business so that nothing that's not supposed to is touching and press the power button, if the fan spins up then power the machine off again.

When reassembling the keyboard and frame I like to use the following method.

First note that there is a chart on the bottom of the PC that indicates the various lengths of screws used. The holes are numbered. Use the screw that correctly correlates to the number.

There is usually some kind of little flexible arm near top of the frame that screws fastens to the bottom via a screw. I double check that the frame is properly slotted under the LCD then I screw down the flexible arm. That keeps everything from coming undone while assembling everything together.

The one tricky part is getting the finger pad plug reconnected. I line it up with a butter knife, then press down on the finger pad to push it into place.

Then I make sure all the edges are snapped in place and replace the screws, starting with the keyboard screws and then going to the frame screws.

ONE IMPORTANT NOTE!

While cleaning the fan record the part number from the bottom. It will be something like M24-#########. If after a few days the fan starts to make noise again, go on-line and order a replacement as it's bound to hang up again and give you another fan error. Also take your time. This isn't difficult stuff but until you've gotten inside your lap top a few times the process does require some patience.

Good luck!

 

I replaced Fan in T30 by myself (after warranty expired though)

Just search for FAN FRU number in ebay, and download user's manual from IBM. Hope it helps.