Reinserting wires into fan connector?

[h8245390420931]

I have a mid 2011 Mac Mini. While following instructions for upgrading my hard drive to an SSD, I disconnected the fan's 4-pin connector from the board and two of the wires came out of the plastic connector. I'm having a really hard time getting them back in there.

One side of the plastic for those two wires is missing, and I'm not sure if it was always like that or if it broke. Any suggestions on how to get the wires back in there? Is this impossible if the plastic broke? Thanks!

 

[hfg]

The first time I got into my 2011 Mac Mini I also broke the fan connector. After much fooling around trying to fix it, I just gave up and ordered a $10 replacement fan-with-cable on eBay. This was some time ago, but they may still have listings for them.

Good luck ....

 

[MysticCow]

Or find a 2011 "parts only" mini, since you just need the fan. It'll also give you several other "spare parts."

 

[RyanXM]

I have a spare fan if you need it. Let me know.