Introduction
Replacing the power supply on the AirPort Extreme A1521 takes a few steps. Once you get to the second to last step you need to be careful and not touch the black cylinders. They are capacitors and could give you a shock.
Tools
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To detach the small clips from the connectors, place the flat end of the plastic spudger underneath the clip and gently lever it away from the center of the device.
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To detach the large clip from its connector, place the flat end of the spudger on the clip and lever it upward out of the connector.
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Using two fingers, pinch the power supply wire and gently lift it upward. Move it away from the metal plate.
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Next, unscrew the four 3.3mm T8 Torx screws and remove the metal plate.
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Remove the T8 Torx screwdriver head and replace it with the 60 mm extension; then, add the T9 Torx head.
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Loosen, but do not remove the two screws at the bottom of the 1.2-inch wide gap in the middle of the internal structure.
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Using only your fingers, gently compress the internal structure and pull evenly upward to remove it from the white case.
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Rotate the internal structure so that the white ports are facing away from you.
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Three 8.2mm T8 Torx screws connect the fan to the internal structure. Unscrew all three.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
4 comments
When removing the fan pay attention to the cable. It is glued down with sticky tape and is routed beneath the rubber seal that mates against the case. You may want to remove the power supply cover first since the cable for the fan is routed beneath its cover. But once the power supply fasteners are removed the power supply is dangling from its cables so be careful to relieve the strain.
Splendid! It worked! I'm so happy. The old fan did really have some slackness and the new one makes no sound. Thanks for describing how to change the fan.
How do you remove the Power indicating LED or just do you cut the wires?
rpoland -
The black cover is about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick and is held in with pressure points. Might be good to use two spudgers or thin, flat screwdriver tips.
John Vitali -