I don’t think so as cat-ing the proc-file works without problems. But to be honest, I’m no expert in this field…
simon@laptop:~$ cat /proc/acpi/ibm/fan
status: enabled
speed: 257
level: 1
commands: level <level> (<level> is 0-7, auto, disengaged, full-speed)
commands: enable, disable
commands: watchdog <timeout> (<timeout> is 0 (off), 1-120 (seconds))
simon@laptop:~$
I tried auto as well as all other levels, it doesn’t change anything… :-/