Apple MacBook Pro 15 Retina - COOLING FAN REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE
Remove the following pentalobe screws securing the lower case to the MacBook Pro:
Eight 3.0 mm
Two 2.3 mm
Lifting from the edge nearest the clutch cover, lift the lower case off the MacBook Pro.
Set the lower case aside.
Battery Connector
Peel back the warning label covering the battery connector.
Using the flat end of a spudger, gently pry the battery connector straight up out of its socket on the logic board.
Bend the battery cables back and out of the way, ensuring that the battery connector doesn't accidentally make contact with the logic board.
Use the tip of a spudger to pry the three AirPort antenna cables straight up off of their sockets on the AirPort board.
Use the tip of a spudger to push the camera cable connector out of its socket on the logic board.
Be sure to push parallel to the board, pushing first on one side, then the other to "walk" the connector out of its socket.
Insert the flat end of a spudger underneath the rubber heat sink cover on the right fan.
Slide the spudger underneath the length of the cover, releasing the adhesive.
Lift the cover and flip it back so that you can access the cables underneath.
Use your fingers to pull the AirPort/Camera cables up off the fan.
The cables are adhered to the fan, so peel them up carefully to avoid damaging them.
Carefully de-route the cables from the plastic cable guide.
Using the flat end of a spudger, pry the I/O Board connector straight up out of its socket on the logic board. On reassembly, connect this end first as it does not flex.
In a similar fashion, remove the I/O Board connector from its socket on the I/O Board.
Remove the I/O Board cable from the MacBook Pro.
Remove the single 2.9 mm T5 Torx screw securing the AirPort card to the logic board.
Grasp the thin sides of the AirPort card and pull parallel to the logic board, removing the AirPort card from the MacBook Pro.
Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the retaining flap on the right fan ribbon cable ZIF socket.
Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, not the socket itself.
Starting at the top of the cable, slide a plastic opening tool under the right fan cable to free it from the logic board.
Use caution when freeing the cable, as it is strongly adhered to the logic board.
Remove the following three screws securing the right fan to the logic board:
One 4.4 mm T5 Torx screw
One 3.9 mm T5 Wide Head Torx screwOne 5.0 mm T5 Torx screw with 2 mm collar
Lift and remove the right fan out from the MacBook Pro.
Remove the following pentalobe screws securing the lower case to the MacBook Pro:
Eight 3.0 mm
Two 2.3 mm
Lifting from the edge nearest the clutch cover, lift the lower case off the MacBook Pro.
Set the lower case aside.
Battery Connector
Peel back the warning label covering the battery connector.
Using the flat end of a spudger, gently pry the battery connector straight up out of its socket on the logic board.
Bend the battery cables back and out of the way, ensuring that the battery connector doesn't accidentally make contact with the logic board.
Use the tip of a spudger to pry the three AirPort antenna cables straight up off of their sockets on the AirPort board.
Use the tip of a spudger to push the camera cable connector out of its socket on the logic board.
Be sure to push parallel to the board, pushing first on one side, then the other to "walk" the connector out of its socket.
Insert the flat end of a spudger underneath the rubber heat sink cover on the right fan.
Slide the spudger underneath the length of the cover, releasing the adhesive.
Lift the cover and flip it back so that you can access the cables underneath.
Use your fingers to pull the AirPort/Camera cables up off the fan.
The cables are adhered to the fan, so peel them up carefully to avoid damaging them.
Carefully de-route the cables from the plastic cable guide.
Using the flat end of a spudger, pry the I/O Board connector straight up out of its socket on the logic board. On reassembly, connect this end first as it does not flex.
In a similar fashion, remove the I/O Board connector from its socket on the I/O Board.
Remove the I/O Board cable from the MacBook Pro.
Remove the single 2.9 mm T5 Torx screw securing the AirPort card to the logic board.
Grasp the thin sides of the AirPort card and pull parallel to the logic board, removing the AirPort card from the MacBook Pro.
Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the retaining flap on the right fan ribbon cable ZIF socket.
Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, not the socket itself.
Starting at the top of the cable, slide a plastic opening tool under the right fan cable to free it from the logic board.
Use caution when freeing the cable, as it is strongly adhered to the logic board.
Remove the following three screws securing the right fan to the logic board:
One 4.4 mm T5 Torx screw
One 3.9 mm T5 Wide Head Torx screwOne 5.0 mm T5 Torx screw with 2 mm collar
Lift and remove the right fan out from the MacBook Pro.
