Apple Time Capsule Model A1254 Fan Replacement

Written By: JR Alfano
  • Comments: 16
Apple Time Capsule Model A1254 Fan Replacement

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

4

Time Required

10 minutes

Introduction

The fan regulates air flow to the Time Capsule allowing the internal components to maintain optimal temperature. If the fan has failed, it is very easy to replace and needs very little tools.

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    • Turn the device upside down to reveal the rubber section of the back plate. Using a metal spudger, carefully wedge the blunt tip into the space between the aluminum back plate and the rubber, separating the two pieces.

    • This may take a few minutes to pry the rubber off completely. Once your are able to get a grip on the rubber it is easier to peel it off using your hands.

    • Depending on air temperature and how set the adhesive is, you may need to spend some time warming the back plate with a hot plate (on low) or hair dryer.

    • Don't worry about re-applying adhesive to the rubber; the remaining adhesive has plenty of strength to affix itself to the aluminum.

    The epoxy cementing the rubber pad to the aluminum base is a lot stronger than the rubber itself. The rubber is likely to tear as you remove it; I had to use a putty knife to clear the screws. It's worth hanging onto the branding near the Ethernet ports, for future identification (model number, serial number, Ethernet ID, AirPort ID); you can fashion a replacement pad out of neoprene rubber.

    adlerpe -

    Mine completely ripped I have no back cover now its in multiple pieces…. mine was giving off way to much heat and hard drive errors so I decided to replace hard drive and fan wish me luck BUT if yours is overheating do not expect to get back off without ripping the rubber to

    William -

    Using a fan to heat the plate up was helpful

    Michael Zimmermann -

    I wish I read Michael Zimmermann’s suggestion before I tore the first half into about 15 pieces! On the second half I used a hair dryer to heat the rubber. With enough heat and a very slow steady pull on the rubber it came of as a single piece :-)

    mfred2 -

    Do I need to put back on the rubber? will it overheat if I don’t?

    Strider -

    It is almost impossible to keep the bottom rubber covering intact in one piece. The rubber is covering the whole base section and it won’t be a problem without it I guess. This is not an epoxy because it is still gummy and sticky. This is like the adhesive used on the double side tapes. Goo Gone worked well to remove those residues.

    Kenn Sakurai -

    The rubber cap like bottom can be replaced with easy to cut in shape cork sheet will do. Just rip off the thin strip where the serial number for the ID and other info that might be needed later. Have it glued or put on a clear tape and put it on the side of the white plastic sidewall will do.

    Kenn Sakurai -

    With age, the rubber becomes brittle. It is best to heat it up with a hair dryer before trying to gently peel it off.

    SirDeck -

    Mine was probably about 10 years old at this point. I used a clothes iron (flatiron) set on medium heat ("permanent press"), and a piece of "parchment paper" from the kitchen between iron and rubber. After 30 seconds or so, the glue was softened enough that I could lift off the rubber, a little at a time using a putty knife. It all came off in one piece, with essentially all the glue still attached to the rubber. My thanks to the person (forgot the name, it was on one of the "drive replacement" articles for one of the other model Time Capsules) who suggested the iron.

    Paul Koning -

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    • Remove the ten 3mm screws with a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

    • The screws with adhesive covering do not need to be removed.

    The two screws in the top center of this picture should not be removed at this time. They are locating pins on the hard drive.

    neil.davenport -

    Correct - the four screws top centre with glue over then do not need to come out. They are only locating posts for the HDD.

    Tony Meredith - 2018-06-26

    Tony Meredith -

    There are twelve screws marked in that picture. AFAIK only ten need removing. The two in the middle of the top edge don’t need removing

    Shimbo -

    CONFIRMED. Thank you very much for the screws which should not be removed. You guys are right.

    Kenn Sakurai -

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    • The fan affixed to the back plate is connected to the logic board. A small wire must be detached to fully remove the back plate.

    • Pull the base of the wire close to the logic board and the connector will pop off.

    Be careful you do not rip the locating connector off the circuit board like I did.

    David “Milky” Millward -

    Do not disconnect the fan for a simple change of hard drive. With age, the connector becomes very fragile.

    SirDeck -

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    • Orientate the back plate so that the fan is facing away from you.

    • Use the #0 Phillips Screw Drive to push the rubber shock mounts through the back plate.

    • Make sure that the head of the screw driver is centered on the head of the rubber shock mount so that it doesn't slip off causing possible injury.

    • When attaching the new fan, push the new rubber shock mounts through the back plate first. Attach the fan once all mounts are inserted.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Author

JR Alfano

Member since: 06/10/16

522 Reputation

One comment

Hi where can I find the new rubber shock mount replacement for A-1254 fan replacement? thx.

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