Mac Mini Fan Connector - which side up ?

[drsox]

Yes, I broke the fan while installing an SSD ! Pulled some of the wires out of the connector.

Having ordered a new one ( 80 notes inc postage ), I want to be sure I can install it OK. it's not obvious which way is up on this. Is the side with the slight opening face down ? Does it insert from the top down with a press (like the SATA connector) or is it like a memory connector ( slide and push down ). Not obvious from the DIY videos.

Cheers.

 

[philipma1957]

Yes, I broke the fan while installing an SSD ! Pulled some of the wires out of the connector.

Having ordered a new one ( 80 notes inc postage ), I want to be sure I can install it OK. it's not obvious which way is up on this. Is the side with the slight opening face down ? Does it insert from the top down with a press (like the SATA connector) or is it like a memory connector ( slide and push down ). Not obvious from the DIY videos.

Cheers.

do not slide it you will break it. the side with a little bit of metal showing 3 or 4 tiny blades touches the contact points on the mobo. give me a few minutes to photo it for you.

now the fan plug does not slide into the c or u shaped jack. you line the end of the plug along the bottom of the u in the u shape jack. the plug would be tilted a bit then you push down on the plug and snap it in. no forcing very gentle.

 

[drsox]

Thanks. It's a press down job then.

As I've made such a mess of mine, I can't tell one side of the connector from the other, but I seem to remember that one side was smooth and the other had 4 small holes in it, where the wires were visible. From what you say the smooth side is up and the holey side is down.

I can still see 4 metal connectors on your pics, these are the mobo side connectors not the fan side connectors ?

Nope, looking at your pics again it's clearly the fan side connectors I can see. The fan connector must have bare metal on both sides. When I get my replacement I'll compare it with your pics.

In my defense as a non-novice in hardware assembly, the previous owner (bought this on ebay) had reassembled this after taking out his SSD. He applied too much force to the top left fan mount screw and welded it to the support screw. I had to take out the cowling AND the fan together. Ergo the resulting stripped fan connector. Applying 2 pliers to the welded screws forced them apart - not something I would have expected to do on a Mac.

 

[drsox]

Hoorah !
Less than a minute and the problem is solved.
Now I can play with my i7 Samsung SSD mini.

 

[philipma1957]

good!!!