Inspiron 1520 Fan

Recently my fan has been making a lot of noise whenever it starts up.

Sometimes it sounds like it's getting caught on something as it spins and it trips for a few seconds. Other times it makes a high pitched, not particularly loud but noticeable, noise, or it'll sound like it's blowing out a lot of air, usually more then it really is. It's also made a sort clicking sound before, similar to the noises a processor on a normal computer might make when loading or booting or something, but I know it's for sure coming from the fan. Sometimes it's a combination of all of the above.

It used to be just when a lot was going on, like I was downloading a lot or opening a game or something. Now it makes the sound all the time whenever the fan goes on.

I've tried the compressed air, no luck. It doesn't seem to have any dust or debris in it. Everything else on the computer is completely fine, as far as I've noticed the computer itself isn't overworking or overheating, it's just this annoying noise.

Does it need a new fan? Should I ignore it? The fan is otherwise still functioning, just making a noise now.

 

Yes you need a new cooling fan, mine started like that like 6 months ago and I finally replaced it. Your cooling fan may stop working sometimes (mine did) and when that happens your cpu gonna work at 100% almost all the time (happened to me, can't tell if that would happen to every laptop) you gonna have to get another one, it will be a whole lot better!! now, no more noise

 

run diagnostics by holding the Fn key as you turn the system on. Fans go bad, but so do the connections for the fan on the motherboard.

 

I haven't run the diagnostics check yet. I assume if there's a problem with the connection to the motherboard, it probably can't be fixed, right?



If it's just a problem with the fan needing to be replaced, is it difficult to replace yourself or is it relatively simple? I have no idea what it looks like on the inside of this particular model.

 

If it's a problem with the motherboard... well, you'll just have to replace the motherboard. Else, if it's a problem with the fan itself, that part is fairly easy to replace and fairly cheap to buy...

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1520/en/sm/fan.htm#wp1179839

 

Thanks a bunch.

I ran the diagnostic and according to it, nothing is wrong with the fan. Should I still replace it?

 

My opinion: Yes, replace it. Don't be like me, don't wait too long lol. My cooling fan quit working few times and made my cpu work at 100% most of the times

 

I'm having the same issue with my Inspiron 1520. Is it one size fits all for laptop fans? If not, which one do I need for replacement?

 

You need a fan specific to the 1520 or Vostro 1500. Said fan might fit in similar machines like the 1505 or 1525. Just search eBay for "Inspiron 1520 fan" and you're pretty much guaranteed to get the right thing.

 

Lol I guess I'm not the only ebayer here